[X] Do an introduction Naruto style (it never fails!), and ask some about him in return. You know, name, familia, likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams.
[X] Talk about his book.
[X] Tell him about how you got like this. It'd be funny and it's not going to be any less humiliating than showing up naked and tiny without any story.
You glance awkwardly at the Half-Elf you're riding on the shoulder of... And wow, isn't that a rare sentence. This silence... You need to break it.
"Uh, so... I'm Rooster Ringabelle. I'm in the Hades Familia. I like food and baths. I don't like Soma Familia jerks who hurt my friends. My hobbies... Well, cooking, reading, and parkour, I guess. I don't really have a dream in particular, though I suppose I'd love to reach Level 2," you tell him, introducing yourself Naruto-style.
Leon just nods, not answering for a time... Then you clear your throat, getting his attention.
"Oh! Sorry. I... guess I'm not used to this. Uh... I'm Leon Elekor. I like reading. I don't like bandits. I... guess jewelry making is a hobby? My dream is just to take care of my mother and make sure she's happy," he explains.
"You like reading, too? I noticed you were reading the Argonaut story."
He nods again. "I always keep a book with me for reading on the go. The Adventure of the Argonaut is just my latest novel. I know it's more of a kid's story, but... it resonates with me. We all wanted to be a hero at some point in our lives. Even if we only wanted to be a hero to someone else."
You mind harkens back to the dream you had the other month, with Rixis on top of the Tower of Babel. "So... who are you a hero to?"
A small smile graces Leon's features. "Well... It's hard to say. Who can truly guess how others feel? But... I guess my mother. She was crippled in a bandit attack that killed my father and sister. I've been working with the Freya Familia ever since just to try and provide for her. I can only hope she sees me as her hero..."
You stiffen. "You're... part of the Freya Familia?"
Leon stiffens as well... then sighs. "Freya scouted me using her ability to see innate potential... She was right. I've been an Adventurer for three years now and I'm already Level 2 and known as the Light of the North. I even got the Hunter Development Ability simply due to how hard I work myself in the Dungeon to provide for my mother. I don't actually like Freya. Most of the members of the Freya Familia are elitists with superiority complexes and Freya herself is too obsessed with her whims and flings. You're a member of the Hades Familia, though? From what I've heard, he doesn't accept just anyone."
Hunter... That's one of the most valuable Development Abilities out there. It makes it easier to fight Monsters you've fought before and can only be gained by killing a huge number of monsters before reaching Level 2. Unless it takes you years to Level up, you need to work yourself to the bone in the Dungeon to qualify for getting it. A lot of the most elite Adventurers in Orario have it, like Aiz.
"We're here. I can grab your supplies, but I'm afraid your equipment would just encumber me," Leon explains as he reaches your discarded equipment and supplies and begins rooting through them. He retrieves your Potions, Rations, Magic Stones, and Drop Loot, stuffing them in his own waist pouches, then turns around and begins to make his way out of the Dungeon.
"You mentioned you make jewelry, too, Warrior?" you ask Leon from his shoulder.
Leon nods and pulls a gold bangle inlaid with a red ruby from one of his waist pouches. "This is my latest creation. I was going to sell it at Babel later for some extra cash. My mother's birthday is coming up, so I wanted to get her something nice," he explains.
"And why were you in the Dungeon so late at night?" you ask.
He chuckles. It's a dry, mirthless chuckle. "Insomnia. I can't sleep unless I pass out from exhaustion the moment my head meets the pillow, so I use these late nights to solo the Upper and first few Middle Floors."
"Well... that's something we have in common."
Leon chuckes. "So, why are you tiny and naked, Miss Ringabelle?"
"Uhhh... I ran into what I thought was a Golden Mushroom, and it hit me with some spores..."
"Oh, it probably was a Golden Mushroom. It's just their spores don't normally shrink people."
"Then why did I shrink?"
"Probably because you're-"
"HSSSSS!"
Leon turns to see a Dungeon Lizard spawn out of one of the walls. It grabs two nearby rocks, which morph into a club and shield.
"Landforms," you point out. Some Monsters can do this. They can grab things from around the Dungeon and morph them into weapons or equipment. Such things are known as either Landforms or Nature Weapons.
Leon draws his mace and kiteshield, readying himself. "Hold on tight, Miss Ringabelle. I'll protect you," he instructs.
You blush a bit. Should you Relay your Mini status onto the Dungeon Lizard? It might require some explaining to Leon, but hey, you're no damsel, and you can train your Magic Basic Ability. Or you can just sit back and let Leon handle this. It might be a good opportunity to see how a Level 2 Half-Elf with the Hunter Development Ability fights. Or, rather, it might be a good opportunity to see how Leon fights.
Reader Choice
[ ] Relay that shit.
[ ] Kick back and observe.
