Aftermath of the Domain [Open]

Well, this place has seen better days! Wish I never had to ride on a Zora's back to get here, even if it was the... expedient option.

A river-soaked Hylian woman hunched over while she wrung out the skirt of her dress, her typically bright visage crumpled in mild vexation. Had she considered the trip through the river, she would have brought a spare change of clothes! Now she was a waterlogged mess, with every fiber of her drenched clothes sticking to her skin. Nearby Zora attendants observed her with the best neutral expressions they could muster, and some afar off simply smiled in amusement.

Hmph, had I waterproof skin, this would be no issue. Then again, I'm not about to walk around naked for that benefit!

She was thankful her tongue was not so glib to spout her venom--the last thing she needed was to be pushed back into the river.

After extracting a bit of the water from her clothes and hair, the woman made her way into the domain whilst hugging her chest. The chill air sent her to shivers, and her teeth began to chatter. Despite that, she surveyed the outcome of the battle of the Zora's Domain, and took note of the rubble that had yet to be removed. Even so, it seemed that each Zora was as industrious as the other, and they worked tirelessly to restore the beauty that it once held.

The woman's eyes stopped. She noticed something. There was a Hylian meandering about, and given the time she trained in the military, the insignia adorned upon his armaments were telling of his status.

However, she had never seen the man before, only that she appreciated the presence of other Hylian folk amongst the Zoras. Perhaps he is well-versed in the domain's directions? Surely she could get some means of direction toward the research facility here.

"S-s-s-s-sir," she stammered through her jittering teeth as she approached him, "I d-d-d-don't m-mean t-t-t-to dist-st-sturb yuh-you, b-b-b-but..." She took a moment to rub her arms, "... P-perhaps I c-c-can enlist-sssts yuh-your assiss-iss-isstance?"

---

Josh Dragelion

The lass flinched as the fire suddenly appeared before her, and her eyes widened in astonishment. A fellow adherer to the flames of Din? What a pleasant surprise this was!

“Th-thank you,” she stammered as she pressed closer toward the fire. In a little time, she was spick and span, although she took care to wring out her hair, and flicked her ears to remove the dampness from them. The chill left her, and she had revived.

With that, she assumed a proper posture befitting a noble lady, with her hands folded to her waist and head held high.

“Right, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Phoebe Arkwright, a researcher from the Monster Research Council under the Hyrule Research Division. Given the recent... events of Zora’s Domain, I was sent to check on the sister branch here.” She cleared her throat, “Suffice to say I’ve never been here before, so... I am wondering if you knew where I may find the research facilities.”

---

Josh Dragelion

Phoebe blinked and squinted at the man. "... Dragelion?" She took a step back and sized up his figure, then began circling him inquisitively with a hand to her chin.

Did I hear that right?

Eventually, her pacing stopped when she stood in front of him again. "Sir," she said, "It is clear to me that you are a member of the Hylian military, but I was told I am terribly trusting and must exercise some restraint in immediately drawing to conclusions. Sir Josh Dragelion is a scandalously hot topic among the lords and ladies of the court, why, quite a legend, if I am to believe the tabloid." The MRC was buzzing for a few days after they had saw the headline! "Is it true that you had lead the Hylian regiment to victory during the Battle of Eldin? Twas' quite the speech if that was really you."

She suddenly pulled out an old Pictobox from her bag and shook it gently, causing water droplets to fall out of it. "Bollocks," she gently mouthed.

---

Josh Dragelion

Well, now! He neither confirmed or denied his fame! Why for someone considered a hero, he ought to boast a little more!

... Unless he’s one of those humble types, she could understand that at least.

Phoebe puffed her cheeks as he deflected and shifted the conversation toward directing her toward her first objectives, nevertheless, she couldn’t say no to his offer! What’s more was the mention of seeing monsters!

Fine, let him have his respite, she would not back down next time. Just you wait, sir!

“Very well, ” she huffed as she trailed behind him, “However, you should know that I am simply not going to trust that you are who you say you are right off the bat, hm? It is a scholar’s job to ensure that the facts line up with the evidence.” As she spoke, she tapped more water out of the Pictobox.

---

Josh Dragelion

Hm, he’s far simpler than I imagined him to be.

Phoebe followed suit with a bow of her head toward the Zora who assisted them, and followed Dragelion into the cavern. They had gone up an incline and had reached toward the middle.

“Ah, I should probably mention that they’re likely to be a smaller facility,” said Phoebe with a finger raised, “The MRC is, as of yet, a smaller adjunct to the research branch, thus our extension members are rather sparse in the other provinces.”

She paused.

“In layman’s terms, we are not that big. I find it more probable, in fact, that we would find our associate holed up in some sort of cave. Did I mention we only have one member here present in the Domain?”

As she spoke, the young lady tapped the side of her camera one last time and held it up to her eye, then brought it down to the skirt of her dress and began to wipe the lens of water droplets.

As they got to the apex of the incline, there was a large, open gash in the wall that displayed a spectacular, open-air landscape. The river system of the Domain lay in full view, with a great number of plateaus of grass that directed the river toward, what Phoebe could guess, Lake Hylia in the Lanayru Province. From here, the faint, and incredibly distant silhouette of Hyrule Castle could be seen.

“Marvelous!” Phoebe exclaimed. “Why, venues like these do truly make me wish I had one of those newfangled Super Pictoboxes! How spectacular! I’ll have to come back after I buy one!” She couldn’t waste her film in her current box, after all, she only had three shots for monsters.

That being mentioned, she sniffed. Something smelled... odd.

“Ah, do be careful, sir, it seems there’s monsters about,” she mentioned inquisitively, “In fact, if I can smell them, that means they’re very clo—oOGH!”

It happened rather quickly. Two large hands hefted the noblewoman off of the ground and slung her upon a rough shoulder. Ahead of Dragelion, out from the shadows leapt a large monster with an axe already in mid-swing!

---

Josh Dragelion

"What's going on back there?! Hey! Let me down you brute!" Phoebe grunted as she uselessly beat her fists against the Moblin that had apprehended her. It was nearly about to turn and run when an arrow pierced the back of its skull, causing it to stagger forward and fall onto its belly.

In that moment, the rookie slipped off and cushioned her body with her arms and legs as she hit the ground. She had landed a few feet from the open air gash that overlooked the valley. "Ouch!" Without a second to spare, she stood back up and brushed herself down, "Why, that was uncalled for! Not you, sir! The monsters!"

Now that she was on her feet, she rolled her shoulders back and opened her palms. Energy seeped between her fingers as she took a good look at what had assailed her, then her face brightened in surprise.

"Ah, Moblins! Two stunning specimens, if I do say so myself! These fellows are made of sterner stuff than the smaller counterparts of the Blin Family!" Phoebe announced to Dragelion, "Not even a single arrow to their thick skulls would down them so easily, oho, no sir! Do watch your back as they're quick to get back on their feet!" In the time it took for her to say thus, the orbs in her hands had reached their minimum charge, and she combined them both into one.

And right on cue, the Moblin with an arrow sticking out from the back of its head hopped back onto its feet, but it stood in place as drool dribbled out of its mouth. It turned around, its expression as blank and foolish as could be. However, its movements became erratic as it began swinging its arms about with reckless abandon, barreling down in a haphazard trail toward Phoebe.

"And I say NO!"

With the shout of denial, she hurled a Burning Shot toward its feet, causing a bright explosion of light and fire that sent the Moblin flying toward her. She ducked down low with a loud "eep!" as it passed over her, then the ledge and into the river gorge below.

---

Josh Dragelion

Phoebe watched in awe the swift movements of Dragelion, and she looked on as to the moblin he had thrown into the gorge fell upon hard rock and exploded to pieces. The other Moblin that she had thrown had fallen into the raging rivers and buffeted against the jutting stones, eventually disappearing behind the plateaus beyond.

As tough as those ruffians are, they could not beat nature's force.

She glanced around them briefly to ensure no others were about them, then ran up to Sir Dragelion.

"Sir! Sir, are you alright?" she exclaimed as she neared him. Her voice dropped as she reached to his forehead, "You literally just headbutted a creature with a three-inch-thick skull. That's a lot of bone, you know." She nonchalantly brushed aside his bangs to check for wounds.

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Josh Dragelion