[A dungeon is a dungeon, and they need to be conquered. There are treasures to be found, enemies to defeat, and whatever curse lay on this dungeon would then be lifted.
But also, it would mean that they wouldn't have to be stuck with each other after. Not that she minded, since Vietnam was often patient with company that she would withhold judgement until she got to know them better, but Sandalphon here didn't seem to be very keen about this. He's just down right prickly.
Either way, they have no map. They probably need to find a map.]
With no map, I cannot say that where I will point will be accurate, but perhaps we will be able to look for one. [And a compass. Wait a second, is this LoZ--] Let's do the obvious, and go forward. [And with one step forward, it's time to get into this forest.]
He has the feeling that they're missing something important. (It's actually the hookshot from Temple 2, but the people who were sent to investigate that vanished mysteriously, leaving the two of them hanging.) But...he can't place it, so he just shakes his head.]
[And that's when that random troupe of mildly demonic monkeys descended upon them en masse.]
Off! Get off of- dammit!
[And here's the thing. They're not terribly demonic monkeys. They're just vaguely. And for the most part it's like a pack of monkeys pulling at his hair and so on. Horrible, but livable.
That was when that one monkey with the blue stripe grabbed that one pouch which contained the one object that they needed to do something significant with and absconded into the brush whilst the rest of the monkey troupe continued to be really amazingly annoying.]
[Soon they'll be repeating rooms, working traps, and new mechanic! They need to cook peppers on a fire.
But before they could actually go anywhere (that stupid hookshot would've done a lot, and now all they have is this rope), but they're going to be missing a lot more than that now the rabid monkeys has descended on Sandalphon.]
Hey--! [Immediately, instead of going for the treasured weapons that they were rewarded through a quest that involved getting dogs down from trees using flying chickens, she went for something much more familiar, which was the longest branch she found right next to them. And she thwacked the monkey from Sandalphon's hair. And hood, that one also was awful.]
That monkey took one of your pouches! But are you okay? [CONFLICTED! She needs to make sure her companion is well first! But they really need that treasure! Whatever the hell it's for.]
I'm fine! [Physically, yes. But his ego took 500HP of damage and is currently paralyzed and has a shit ton of other status ailments that hurt it. tl;dr he's feeling like a weenie.]
I'm sure you've faced worse. I have. [Except he's patting his pouches and-...
...and...] It took...
[The fetchquest medallion that they need to collect all seven of to awaken the sages because this is Zelda now, apparently. It's The Forest Medallion for The Forest Sage. They literally can't do anything without it! This entire temple is pointless without it!
And so with a look of horror he turned to her, his mouth working for a second to try to describe how fucked they are, and then wait this is useless-]
It took the medallion!
[And he's about to grab her by the hand as they dramatically run after the monkey, except-]
Which way did it go?! Why did you stop to help me? We need to hurry!
[If only they had a potion for this! As well as those fairies but let's be honest, those are only for emergencies for when one of them pass out. And neither of them are right now.]
Well...yes, despite the unique situation--
[And then she falls quiet considering that what the ENEMY took was what they needed to keep safe up until the very end of the temple. Her eyes widen and she loses no time taking his hand when he grabs her. Also, midst the running, her subconscious is getting annoyed by the Skullkids playing music that makes it look like they're in a comedy skit.]
It went that way! [Into the bushes, she knew that much, and the rustling and debris of broken sticks and twigs tell them much more. Also, it seems to be the same direction of the temple entrance?!]
And I couldn't go on without you, we have to get through this together! [Party system says so, it's a JRPG classic.]
[But not in the you and I are friends, and courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality, and friendship can overcome anything way, no. He breathes it more because he had immediate war flashbacks to previous dungeons he’s entered, and…thinking about it…most of them really do involve two or more people solving puzzles, standing on switches, and so on. Not all of them. But. Enough.
It’s an uncomfortable realization. One that gets him to still. They really are probably dependent on each other.
But they need to run.]
But we don’t have time to waste. We need to-
[Normally, this would be the point in which he grabs her hand and they run together towards the entrance to go beat the shit out of monkeys, but he instead grabs her stick and pulls before realizing he grabbed a stick instead of an arm and that’s fucking stupid and they’re all rubbing off on him, and he just immediately lets go of the stick and gives her a look which implies that if she speaks of this again she will die.
She won’t but it has that level of shut up implied to it.]
We need to get that back. [He’s leaving for the entrance, uncomfortable teamwork-based realizations or not.]
[She gets it, because that's how they are. Sometimes, you meet someone and you just team up with them. You could work well with them, and you could grow to be friends. Otherwise, you're comrades in a working environment and that's good too. Sandalphon seems the type who likes to work on his own. She does too, but it doesn't mean she's not against working in teams.
This will be fine. She will make sure of it. And his admitting so is the first step. They're going to be okay. Even if he ran off without taking her with him, but took her stick instead. She's dragged along with him, of which she blinks and clears her throat after he lets go.
It might be a good idea to hold onto that stick for the time being, even if it serves as evidence of Sandalphon's rushing. Quick, pretend that it never happened at all!]
Indeed! The creature may have already entered the temple. If so, we'll chase it down while making our way through it. [She darts after him, holding the stick behind her back (there is no stick, Sandalphon, there is no stick), and keeps her eye on the entrance as it grows closer.
...It's quite large already.]
Quick: country and angel, total depowerment, or two humans?
[He's going to say the obvious as they approach it, because someone has to say it, there's going to be an awkward tension if someone doesn't point out the obvious, and, as the one who lost the pouch to a monkey, he's going to be the one to say it.]
Who built this thing!
[Because it's huge! There's a reason why there's an exclamation point and not a question mark.]
Who built this thing? [Now he has to ask it.] Who thought it was a good idea to build something like this?
[In a way, it had to be him. He's the most disgruntled, and he also was the one who weirdly grabbed her stick instead of her hand. At the moment, he had to say enough things to push down his list of Sad Events so that they'll remember him for something else. Like stating the obvious. And she'll give him a witty reply in response.]
Hopefully someone who got paid a lot. [Alright, it was only half witty. But it was enough to prove her point in that they better have been paid handsomely for the amount of work put into this temple to make their life a living hell.
She stands close by, eyes nearly swimming from the site of the vine maze.]
And someone who designed clearly was a sadist. How do we even navigate this?
[This is not said to her. This is said to no one in particular as he stares off into the endless vine maze abyss and hates his life just a little bit more.]
I once had wings. I could simply pick you up and fly us to the exit. This would take minutes...no, seconds.
[Why. Why.]
...
[...no, no, they don't have time for this.]
We walk. The vines look sturdy enough to bear us. And, if we fall, we fall.
[Guess who's heading ahead? This asshole, that's who.]
[Now that she's listening in on his monologue, one that was said out loud, she's frustrated (and amazed) by the fact he had wings. Because he's right. They could've flown. They could've been the eagles in Lord of the Rings. And yet...]
They're testing us on purpose. [Because she doesn't feel her full strength either. If they took his wings, what else would they have taken from them!]
And...alright. I can keep balance and am light, at least. [So a tiny discrepancy wouldn't ruin them as much as if she was neither.] I will begin once you a little further away, as to not put too much weight on certain vines.
[He'd probably argue the point more but let's just say he's wearing metal armor of some kind so his mouth swings open and shut again because however heavy he is, he's also wearing metal.
But there's a point which causes him to hesitate, one which has him turning around on the vines to face his wayward companion. This might be stupid if he was anyone else, but there's a part of him assuming that he can fly and thus this is no big deal, it's reflexive like humans who traveled to space just grabbing at pens which they left in midair before remembering gravity exists.]
What happens when the monkeys ambush us?
[Because that's definitely going to happen at some point. And perhaps more fearsome things than demonic monkeys. It's totally going to happen. He knows it's going to happen.]
[And so she follows, now that they continue on. Her movements were definitely more careful, making sure to see where he's gone, before making her next move, and again and again, ensuring that there is a enough weight distribution. Though, these vines do seem pretty sturdy.
She's played these games before. They'll lose their balance, their footing, and then they're going to fall into the dark abyss. Except, without their powers, the dark abyss is probably going to kill them.
With no hookshot (oops), they'll have to use their limited ammunition from this...slingshot?]
Honestly, I have never used one before, and it might be safer to poke them in the eye and throw them down.
[Sometimes you end up with five paragraphs consisting of elegant scenery porn and an elegant speech describing the thoughts and feelings of a person, all of which is filled with vague references to something important like...the Iliad, maybe, or...Shakespeare, that old mainstay in the English language. Sometimes, things verge purple in terms of the prose. Eyes are not eyes, they're occulars. Or...the sky isn't blue, it's sapphire. Or something esoteric like that. Something evocative and nuanced.
And sometimes what you just heard was such that all you get is this:
[Instead of the five paragraphs, we can also this. There is nothing that can be said about Sandalphon's surprise to Vietnam actually revealing herself to be kind of a gangster. She's a delicate flower, she swears!]
That we rid ourselves of the enemy?
[She may be giving him a rather kind look, but her suggestion is still...the same? She did soften the words at least. If that even helps.]
[The suggestion is actually a fairly sound one which makes a great deal of sense and is logical and reasonable, on the whole. Practical. And yet. Of all the people to say it.]
And you were the one to suggest it.
[Are there enemy parrots repeating words and impersonating his companion, Sen, Vietnam? Is that's what is going on? Nani the fuck.
And they're having this conversation on vines, like idiots, but it's important.]
[Sometimes, it's always the nice ones. Especially when she definitely has behaved nicer than him. But! She appreciates his honesty, and he's been working well with her. Which is why she's honest with him. And...and probably saying some rather shocking things. All is fair in love and war! Even nice girls can feel a little vengeful when someone steals your stuff.]
Yes. [She doesn't even deny it? As she tries to find a better foothold?!] It is the most practical of choices, and they have already wronged us.
[She looks at him carefully to make sure he's okay.] Does that not count as self-defence?
[And he curiously glances down, because why is she freaking out? He's got wings, he can catch them both-
And then there's enlightenment which dawns. You could see it dawn in his eyes as Sandalphon remembers, oh, right. The powers that be took away his wings in the first place. (Somehow, that's harder to remember than powers. It's his limbs. It's like waking up one day to discover your tail was gone.)
...]
You just don't seem the type. If anything, you seem as though you wouldn't...object, necessarily, but if I killed a monkey you'd ask if that truly was the only way.
[He agrees, but she can tell why it's not exactly the best thing one could say. It sounds heartless, and someone like her, who would normally protest and is just with a lot of things, ended up suggesting that they just end the enemy as swiftly as possible.
All the while worrying about how if he wasn't careful, he could fall. And she would still do her best to catch him. If she could even carry his weight. Who knows what her limit is now.]
I suppose so. I can't say I like it the idea of it. I would avoid violence if at all possible. But...
[She reaches for another hold, climbing up after him with a sure step.] When it comes down to it, you are my comrade here. So the only one that matters is you. If they try to attack you again, I will not hesitate.
[There's no good way of saying that if she knew who he really was she wouldn't be saying things like that, because that led to awkward questions. Instead, a sigh: theatrical.]
Now I'm wondering if you really can.
[There's a branch up there! It looks sturdy enough to bear their weight and there's a platform, which probably means some stupid puzzle lies ahead as well as maybe a fight.]
[Whether or not she knows is one thing, but also whether or not it matters in the end is another. She will figure him out on her own as they continue on their quest, but also his survival is important when it comes to their success. She's not going to let him suffer if it means they'll succeed. Surely, they will find a way.
So could she?] I think we'll let this quest decide whether I can or not. And oh!
[Spotting the branch, she climbs up onto it after him, balancing well enough, and wonders if this platform isn't a trap. So she breaks a small branch that happened to be hanging about nearby...
[At first nothing seemed like it was going to happen. It was a platform. It remained solid. It was a platform. There was a lack of trap doors. Nothing crashed into it from above.
[There's just one problem: these are delicate bamboo platforms or some other wood which might be surprisingly sturdy, but...point being, isn't hardwood carved from some massive tree, forged from iron.
The armored horror crashes through the platform to the forest below.]
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WE'RE DOING IT
But also, it would mean that they wouldn't have to be stuck with each other after. Not that she minded, since Vietnam was often patient with company that she would withhold judgement until she got to know them better, but Sandalphon here didn't seem to be very keen about this. He's just down right prickly.
Either way, they have no map. They probably need to find a map.]
With no map, I cannot say that where I will point will be accurate, but perhaps we will be able to look for one. [And a compass. Wait a second, is this LoZ--] Let's do the obvious, and go forward. [And with one step forward, it's time to get into this forest.]
YEAH. 1/2
He has the feeling that they're missing something important. (It's actually the hookshot from Temple 2, but the people who were sent to investigate that vanished mysteriously, leaving the two of them hanging.) But...he can't place it, so he just shakes his head.]
It's better than standing around.
[Into the forest! This should be bori-]
2/2
Off! Get off of- dammit!
[And here's the thing. They're not terribly demonic monkeys. They're just vaguely. And for the most part it's like a pack of monkeys pulling at his hair and so on. Horrible, but livable.
That was when that one monkey with the blue stripe grabbed that one pouch which contained the one object that they needed to do something significant with and absconded into the brush whilst the rest of the monkey troupe continued to be really amazingly annoying.]
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But before they could actually go anywhere (that stupid hookshot would've done a lot, and now all they have is this rope), but they're going to be missing a lot more than that now the rabid monkeys has descended on Sandalphon.]
Hey--! [Immediately, instead of going for the treasured weapons that they were rewarded through a quest that involved getting dogs down from trees using flying chickens, she went for something much more familiar, which was the longest branch she found right next to them. And she thwacked the monkey from Sandalphon's hair. And hood, that one also was awful.]
That monkey took one of your pouches! But are you okay? [CONFLICTED! She needs to make sure her companion is well first! But they really need that treasure! Whatever the hell it's for.]
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I'm sure you've faced worse. I have. [Except he's patting his pouches and-...
...and...] It took...
[The fetchquest medallion that they need to collect all seven of to awaken the sages because this is Zelda now, apparently. It's The Forest Medallion for The Forest Sage. They literally can't do anything without it! This entire temple is pointless without it!
And so with a look of horror he turned to her, his mouth working for a second to try to describe how fucked they are, and then wait this is useless-]
It took the medallion!
[And he's about to grab her by the hand as they dramatically run after the monkey, except-]
Which way did it go?! Why did you stop to help me? We need to hurry!
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Well...yes, despite the unique situation--
[And then she falls quiet considering that what the ENEMY took was what they needed to keep safe up until the very end of the temple. Her eyes widen and she loses no time taking his hand when he grabs her. Also, midst the running, her subconscious is getting annoyed by the Skullkids playing music that makes it look like they're in a comedy skit.]
It went that way! [Into the bushes, she knew that much, and the rustling and debris of broken sticks and twigs tell them much more. Also, it seems to be the same direction of the temple entrance?!]
And I couldn't go on without you, we have to get through this together! [Party system says so, it's a JRPG classic.]
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You’re right.
[But not in the you and I are friends, and courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality, and friendship can overcome anything way, no. He breathes it more because he had immediate war flashbacks to previous dungeons he’s entered, and…thinking about it…most of them really do involve two or more people solving puzzles, standing on switches, and so on. Not all of them. But. Enough.
It’s an uncomfortable realization. One that gets him to still. They really are probably dependent on each other.
But they need to run.]
But we don’t have time to waste. We need to-
[Normally, this would be the point in which he grabs her hand and they run together towards the entrance to go beat the shit out of monkeys, but he instead grabs her stick and pulls before realizing he grabbed a stick instead of an arm and that’s fucking stupid and they’re all rubbing off on him, and he just immediately lets go of the stick and gives her a look which implies that if she speaks of this again she will die.
She won’t but it has that level of shut up implied to it.]
We need to get that back. [He’s leaving for the entrance, uncomfortable teamwork-based realizations or not.]
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This will be fine. She will make sure of it. And his admitting so is the first step. They're going to be okay. Even if he ran off without taking her with him, but took her stick instead. She's dragged along with him, of which she blinks and clears her throat after he lets go.
It might be a good idea to hold onto that stick for the time being, even if it serves as evidence of Sandalphon's rushing. Quick, pretend that it never happened at all!]
Indeed! The creature may have already entered the temple. If so, we'll chase it down while making our way through it. [She darts after him, holding the stick behind her back (there is no stick, Sandalphon, there is no stick), and keeps her eye on the entrance as it grows closer.
...It's quite large already.]
Quick: country and angel, total depowerment, or two humans?
Who built this thing!
[Because it's huge! There's a reason why there's an exclamation point and not a question mark.]
Who built this thing? [Now he has to ask it.] Who thought it was a good idea to build something like this?
[And then.
And then he slows, because-]
...
[It might be a giant vine maze inside.]
country and angel, total depowerment time!
Hopefully someone who got paid a lot. [Alright, it was only half witty. But it was enough to prove her point in that they better have been paid handsomely for the amount of work put into this temple to make their life a living hell.
She stands close by, eyes nearly swimming from the site of the vine maze.]
And someone who designed clearly was a sadist. How do we even navigate this?
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[This is not said to her. This is said to no one in particular as he stares off into the endless vine maze abyss and hates his life just a little bit more.]
I once had wings. I could simply pick you up and fly us to the exit. This would take minutes...no, seconds.
[Why. Why.]
...
[...no, no, they don't have time for this.]
We walk. The vines look sturdy enough to bear us. And, if we fall, we fall.
[Guess who's heading ahead? This asshole, that's who.]
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[Now that she's listening in on his monologue, one that was said out loud, she's frustrated (and amazed) by the fact he had wings. Because he's right. They could've flown. They could've been the eagles in Lord of the Rings. And yet...]
They're testing us on purpose. [Because she doesn't feel her full strength either. If they took his wings, what else would they have taken from them!]
And...alright. I can keep balance and am light, at least. [So a tiny discrepancy wouldn't ruin them as much as if she was neither.] I will begin once you a little further away, as to not put too much weight on certain vines.
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But there's a point which causes him to hesitate, one which has him turning around on the vines to face his wayward companion. This might be stupid if he was anyone else, but there's a part of him assuming that he can fly and thus this is no big deal, it's reflexive like humans who traveled to space just grabbing at pens which they left in midair before remembering gravity exists.]
What happens when the monkeys ambush us?
[Because that's definitely going to happen at some point. And perhaps more fearsome things than demonic monkeys. It's totally going to happen. He knows it's going to happen.]
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She's played these games before. They'll lose their balance, their footing, and then they're going to fall into the dark abyss. Except, without their powers, the dark abyss is probably going to kill them.
With no hookshot (oops), they'll have to use their limited ammunition from this...slingshot?]
Honestly, I have never used one before, and it might be safer to poke them in the eye and throw them down.
[WOW.]
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And sometimes what you just heard was such that all you get is this:
A stare. A pause.]
What did you just say?
[And that.
He couldn't have heard right.]
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That we rid ourselves of the enemy?
[She may be giving him a rather kind look, but her suggestion is still...the same? She did soften the words at least. If that even helps.]
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And you were the one to suggest it.
[Are there enemy parrots repeating words and impersonating his companion, Sen, Vietnam? Is that's what is going on? Nani the fuck.
And they're having this conversation on vines, like idiots, but it's important.]
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Yes. [She doesn't even deny it? As she tries to find a better foothold?!] It is the most practical of choices, and they have already wronged us.
[She looks at him carefully to make sure he's okay.] Does that not count as self-defence?
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[And he curiously glances down, because why is she freaking out? He's got wings, he can catch them both-
And then there's enlightenment which dawns. You could see it dawn in his eyes as Sandalphon remembers, oh, right. The powers that be took away his wings in the first place. (Somehow, that's harder to remember than powers. It's his limbs. It's like waking up one day to discover your tail was gone.)
...]
You just don't seem the type. If anything, you seem as though you wouldn't...object, necessarily, but if I killed a monkey you'd ask if that truly was the only way.
It's not a bad thing. [And up he's going again.]
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All the while worrying about how if he wasn't careful, he could fall. And she would still do her best to catch him. If she could even carry his weight. Who knows what her limit is now.]
I suppose so. I can't say I like it the idea of it. I would avoid violence if at all possible. But...
[She reaches for another hold, climbing up after him with a sure step.] When it comes down to it, you are my comrade here. So the only one that matters is you. If they try to attack you again, I will not hesitate.
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Now I'm wondering if you really can.
[There's a branch up there! It looks sturdy enough to bear their weight and there's a platform, which probably means some stupid puzzle lies ahead as well as maybe a fight.]
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So could she?] I think we'll let this quest decide whether I can or not. And oh!
[Spotting the branch, she climbs up onto it after him, balancing well enough, and wonders if this platform isn't a trap. So she breaks a small branch that happened to be hanging about nearby...
AND HURLS IT WITH GREAT FORCE ONTO THE SURFACE.]
1/2
...]
...
[...]
Really, I-
2/3
What am I saying. It's just a generic random encounter. Apparently there's summon traps!]
3/3
The armored horror crashes through the platform to the forest below.]
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