melandite

[melandite]

        ` our hero. `

        VENOM on her tongue. perhaps she should be more thankful of the boy who saved hyrule from seemingly certain demise, from ganondorf’s wrath. melandi respects POWER, but not this boy’s power. once, she had believed her king unstoppable.

        how WRONG she was.

        the gerudo circles the young man, golden eyes half hooded and STARING him down. ` why are you here? `

[melandite]

        ` of course, ` and she fishes around in her pouch before withdrawing a BRIGHT red rupee, pushing it across the counter towards him and pulling the mask towards herself.

it’s unique, but not unsettling like many of the masks in this shop are. lips curl upwards then into a smile. how odd, she rarely smiles, but she is very obviously PLEASED with her purchase.

        ` tell me, ` she suddenly says, not tearing her eyes from the mask in her hands, ` is business booming? `

        then golden hues flicker to his face, ` because, i do imagine, even without powers these masks must have plenty of uses. `

“This mask normally ranges upwards of fifty rupees, but for you, I will lower the price to twenty. It is a highly valued collector’s item, but I can feel that this mask would fit you far better than any other potential customer!” It was quite true. In this woman, he sensed a great power, though internally did he fret over how clouded it was. She could easily be swayed to either good or evil, thus his reluctance to part with any masks of true power. This one, on the other hand, deserved her as an owner. She would treat it well.

[melandite]

        what a shame. she has heard of masks capable of unimaginable POWER. oh, what she’d do to get her hands on one of them! oh, goodness, melandi, thoughts like those will get you into trouble!

        the woman touches the mask with careful fingertips. the girls back home would appreciate this. they could hang it in the fortress for all to see, to strike FEAR into the hearts of those who wished to enter. he is correct; it resonates with her, with her people.

        the look of DISDAIN fades just so, replaced by one that is, admittedly, impressed.

        ` hmm. and how much are you willing to part with it for? `

“Sadly, none of these masks do anything terribly special besides bringing happiness to those they resonate with! I cannot trust any mask bearing powers to be given so haphazardly to those who may misuse them!” He knew all too well of such a thing, after all. There were far too many who would abuse the power of a mask. “For you?” While still bearing a smile, the Salesman looked thoughtful, trying to envision what may appeal to the Gerudo. Without a word, he turned around, disappearing into the back. It did not take long until he returned, holding a mask of a lioness mid-snarl. The mask was painted a light tan with swirling markings arcing away from the eyes. “Warriors of tribes long past used to wear masks such as this Fearsome Lioness Mask into battle. I can see in you a strong and fierce spirit—this mask would seem to suit you quite well, ohoho!”

[melandite]

        ah, yes, this is a shop, after all. she might as well browse while she’s here. though the masks leering down at her UNNERVE her just as much as the quirky man before her does.

        ` do your masks do anything, or are they merely for show? `

        the gerudo woman leans forward, long nails tip-tapping against the surface of the counter. she gives him no modicum of PERSONAL SPACE and the way her nostrils flare gives her the likeness of an angry bull.

        ` and what do you have to offer a woman such as myself? `

“My—thank you, ma’am! It is truly appreciated, for I am quite proud of my shop, ohoho.” The disdain evident on the woman’s face was noted but otherwise ignored as the Salesman beamed, folding his hands together. “How may I help you? Is there a particular mask you seek?”

[melandite]

        ` what a... quaint little set-up you have here. `

        lip curled in distaste, however, contradicting the feelings she EXPRESSES with her words.

[melandite]

DO NOT CROSS ME.