Quest 01 (Open)

[newmemorywhodis]

i. Flotsam: Scouting from the sails
In any new place, Link's first instinct is always to go up. Get high, get somewhere he can see, and then paraglide to the next point of interest. Well, with no paraglider, he couldn't do the last part. But he could do the rest.

So Link will just casually climb up the mast of whatever ship he happens to be on. If there's a ladder, he'll use it. But if there isn't, he'll find a way to scamper up anyway. From there, he'll perch on the edge of the sails, looking out over the armada of ships that make up the Flotsam.

And if you don't spot him when it's up or - or feel like braving the heights to join him - well, he's gotta come down sometime. He might drop down next to you.

ii. Flotsam: Floating markets
Link can't afford anything here, but already he loves this place.

He's already mentally making a long list of things he wants to buy - that wickedly long spear! That exotic spice! The weird glowing rock that would probably be useful somehow! But it's the clothes shops that Link ends up spending the most time in. Something with a bit of protection would be best, but he can't help but also be drawn to some more decorative options. Like that nice flowy white blouse, that reminds him of the Gerudo style...

iii. Flotsam and/or the Vault: Sword practice
On the deck of one of the ships - or sometimes in the Vault's armoury, if he's feeling like a change of scenery - Link finds runs through a sequence of sword forms. They're smooth and practiced, leaving no openings or visible weaknesses in form. It's clear from the way he moves that these movements have been ingrained over many, many years.

When the sequence comes to an end, he lists up his sword and looks at it. It's not the Sword that Seals the Darkness. It's not even comparable to most of his other weapons. But it's serviceable enough. Link can fight with a stick if he has to - he can certainly make do with this.

Comments

Vault- Sword Practice

[chosenkingoflucis]

"Not bad" a voice comes from the doorway where Noctis is casually leaned against the frame with his arms crossed. "Not bad at all. I think you'd even give Gladio a run for his money."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link does not say anything in response. From the the way he pauses, lowers his sword, and looks towards Noctis with his head tilted to one side, the question is clear all the same.

Who is Gladio?

i

[poormeowmeow]

Izutsumi is also someone who tends to like to get someplace high. Call it her cat instincts. She wouldn't, but whatever. She's also been poking around in the rigging and the platforms, taking a look at what she can see, feeling the breeze ruffle her hair and fur and just trying to adjust to this. It's a lot.

She's a little surprised to see someone else up here as well. She's draped on a yardarm, not much bothered by the motion of the ship.

"...you're pretty steady up here, huh?"

She's almost impressed.

[newmemorywhodis]

Probably Link shouldn't be as comfortable as he is. He doesn't have his paraglider, after all. There's nothing to catch him if he falls. Oh well, too late to worry about that now. He'll just have to make sure not to fall.

To Izutsumi, though, he shrugs. Does at least reach up to grab a rope, for some semblance of safety. "You too," he says, looking at her. He might be perfectly comfortable climbing all over the place, but even he would hesitate to lounge in such a precarious position.

[poormeowmeow]

"The tail helps," She shrugs and then offers a little laugh. She loops her arm through a rope and glances out over the horizon for a long moment. He glances at Link again and furrows her brow.

"...you're an elf."

It's not a question. Well, at least not the way she phrases it.

[newmemorywhodis]

She didn't ask it as a question, but Link makes a soft, negative hum in reply anyway. "Not really," he says.

He was pretty similar to one, yes. Of all the kind of people he'd seen and met since coming here, the elves were the most familiar. But they weren't quite the same. Hylians didn't have the long lifespan he'd heard elves had, for one. And there was something about the shape of the ears, the angle of the point, that wasn't quite the same. A subtle difference, but one that was still noticeable.

[poormeowmeow]

"You look like one," She replies, very unhelpfully. But she is a bit brash, isn't she? She cocks her head and frowns.

"...are you from this world or did you get snatched like I did?"

Flotsam Sword Practice

[xenovore]

Laios has actually seen Link practicing up on deck before, a few times, but he hasn't paid it much mind. Elves aren't an uncommon sight in the Corsairs, nor are swordsmen- Laios is the latter, himself.

But because Laios is the latter and because he vaguely remembers Link a day or so ago, he eventually winds up approaching Link.

By standing out of swinging range and staring at him until he makes eye contact, then waving.

"Hi there."

II

[fray]

Little as Id has, he's intent on getting a hold of the basics to maintain a weapon. That's the mission he's set himself on, stalking his way between market stalls briskly as he looks for the object of his quest. What he finds first, however, is a familia little guy.

He pauses, visibly debating. Link looks pretty occupied with that billowy shirt he's looking at. Still, he actually had a question he'd meant to ask the man, so he spurs himself to close distance.

His shadow falls over Link before he says anything, by simple virtue of time of day and positioning. Well, that and Id's still learning the ropes when it comes to being remotely social. "Hey." Decent greeting?

[newmemorywhodis]

"...Snatched."

He doesn't show any kind of emotive response, to the admission. But then he doesn't seem to show much expression in his face, making it hard to tell how he's feeling about it. But he looks out towards the ocean as he says it, not to her.

"I'm a Hylian." Which won't mean anything to her, he knows. He's learned that no one knows what a Hylian is here. Or any of the other races of Hyrule.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link waits until he's finished his movement, before straightening up and dropping his dance. Sword held lightly to one side.

"Hi," he says, looking towards Laios. There's something of a curious, expectant air to him as he does so. Does Laios need help with something?

[newmemorywhodis]

Link pauses. Lowers the shirt slightly, so he can see Id over the top of it.

"Hi," he says. Waves a few fingers at him, while still holding the billowy blouse.

Clearly, these two are masters of the greeting.

Vault - Sword Practice

[lyorning]

Aerich took an interest in how others fought. His own style was distinctive, so he was watching the young man to see how he moved -- not just skill, but if his style was more aggressive or defensive.

His own training was limited as he didn't have the full set of equipment he was used to, but he could at least keep in fighting form. "Are you finding the blade serviceable?"

His vocabulary has improved markedly with practice.

[poormeowmeow]

"Tch. This sucks," She grouses. She doesn't know what a "Hylian" is, but there's nothing much to be done about that, is there?

"Why us?"

Well, why her in particular.

"Do they just want warm bodies and they'll get 'em from anywhere they can? Including... Hylia? Or whatever?"

She's a little rude, sorry about that.

[newmemorywhodis]

Right now, Link didn't have a shield - so to compensate, his style naturally had to lean more aggressive than it normally would. But it wasn't overly so, and Link also clearly relied on reflexes, nimbleness, and speed.

Sometimes, dodging was the most effective move in his entire arsenal.

Now, though, he pauses in his movements. Looks over at Aerich. And shrugs.

It wasn't the best blade. But it would do.

[newmemorywhodis]

Luckily for Izutsumi, Link just so happens to be really rather lacking in social skills himself. Does he mind her rudeness? Has he even noticed? Who knows, but he certainly doesn't appear to be bothered.

He also has absolutely no idea why the Empire picked them in particular. So he shrugs. And then adds, as a helpful correction: "Hyrule. Hylia is the Goddess."

[poormeowmeow]

"...sure, Hyrule. That place. Never heard of it," She waves her free hand with a little groan and a wrinkle of her nose.

"At least you're kinda like me. Half the people I've met so far are... you know... from here."

Which makes sense when you think about it, but still. It bothers her.

"Especially - uh. Hey. Have you met anyone you know here? But who doesn't know you?"

[fray]

They're absolute champions.

Id keeps going strong, following up the greeting by pointing at the blouse Link's holding. "Nice shirt." He doesn't know anything about the guy's sense of fashion, but it is indeed a fine shirt.

The size looks like it would fit Link, so maybe it's reasonable to surmise that he's shopping for himself, besides.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link shakes his head. No hadn't met anyone he knew here. Something he was rather grateful for, actually.

He didn't want anyone else to have to experience living under this Empire.

But he sends an inquisitive look towards Izutsumi. Is she asking because she has met someone she knows?

[newmemorywhodis]

Alas, the compliment to the shirt just makes Link sigh. Because it is nice, but Link can't afford to buy it.

"No money," he says.

Though Id might be able to guess what Link had spent his precious funds on instead. Because on Link's back is a new sword and longbow. Link might want a new fancy wardrobe, but getting weapons has been the priority.

[poormeowmeow]

"Hey, what's that look for?" She grumbles in response.

"...I was just asking!"

She says, like a liar.

[lyorning]

This gets a nod -- Aerich has the same opinion, and given he only had the clothes on his back, a good sword was a lot to ask, even if they were fighting for these people.

"Would you care to spar with me?" He was trying to figure out how to adapt his own style, which relied on having armored bracers to block, to just a single blade. That and he was used to fighting his own people, so was having adjust to 'everything is lower' and 'your reach hasn't changed, but your opponent's is lesser'.

[fray]

For his part, Id has a greatsword strapped to his back, so it seems to him they have similar priorities. Improvising weapons can be useful, but it's far preferable to have something they can rely on in a pitched battle.

"Hm. Planning ahead doesn't hurt," he offers, though it may not be of much comfort. In all honesty, he'd given little consideration to fashion, but it probably would help them to blend in. "Could compare prices for later, too."

He'd observed members of the crew doing that back home. Shopping around, they'd called it.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link continues to look at her.

Now though, rather than curious questioning, it looks more like incredulousness. Does she think he's stupid?

[newmemorywhodis]

Link blinks, with vague surprise. Not many people offer to spar with him - most of the Hylian soldiers in Hyrule were too green and intimidated by Link to make that kind of offer. The other races usually preferred to train amongst themselves.

But he nods, and shifts into a ready stance, facing Aerich. Link is ready when he is.