Glutton for punishment

Here he was, back again at the woodland shrine with a little trickle of fear curling in his stomach as he wondered what the masked god would do this time. One never knew with the trickster herald, and this last round of tasks had been particularly rough on the courier's prickly pride.

The less said about that disastrous karaoke night, the better.

"Uh... Ludo?" he called hesitantly, kneeling in front of the shrine to place his offering. "I did what y'asked..." He pushed the stylized cat mask with its red whiskers and smiling mouth and its little black triangle nose more towards the center of the altar, trying to get it placed perfectly in the middle while he prayed with trepidation in his heart. "So, about makin' my Vest stronger... please?"

Boreal flopped down onto the dead leaves behind him, resting her scaly chin on her talons as she watched her human curiously. She didn't see what all the fuss was about; Ludo had always been perfectly lovely to her!

---

Rockhide Vest: upgrade to Mastered As good as mew
1. Complete a thread with someone who likes you - Talyson('s vest) must be struck within the course of the thread. {Training} Bolder and Brighter Hotaru
2. Complete a thread with someone who does not like you - Talyson('s vest) must be struck within the course of the thread. {Training} {SE} Fuck that guy in particular Kaiden
3. Complete a thread wearing only the Rockhide Vest and a pair of underwear. This will protect your ego from future damage. {SE} Under where? (a Sea Panther showed up???)
4. Complete a thread singing karaoke in the Rockhide Vest. This won't offer any protection, but Ludo believes it will be funny. {Mini Event} you have to duet alone (there was trauma)

ludo Braved the forests, braved the stone Braved the icy winds and fire Braved and beat them on my own "Ooooooooo." No, it's not Ludo pretending to be a sPoOkY gHoSt; it's a genuine expression of delight. As hard as Tal has tried to position the kitty cat mask all nice and centered and proper like, two snags of raggy material soon pluck it up, and when Ludo appears, it's with the mask over the top of its regular porcelain visage. "I am a cat," it announces to Tal, whipping out a fabric tendril as if it's pressed to the deity's chest, allowing it to bow like an age-old noble. "And you and your vest have been on many adventures together. Congratulations!" Talyson has completed his quest and has upgraded his Rockhide Vest to Mastered! Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage at Talyson's Mastered level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.

Boreal raised her head and joined in the delighted OooOoooing with a happy croon of her own while Tal quickly pulled his fingers back, surrendering the mask to its intended recipient with a mix of relief and consternation that he hadn't been able to finish positioning the offering first.

But hey, at least it meant Ludo liked it?

"Uh... okay," Tal agreed to the statement, figuring, well... it's not like anyone knew what was underneath the rags and mask. Maybe Ludo really was a cat... person... god... thing? And if it wasn't, the Courier sure wasn't going to be the one to question it!

He did surreptitiously pat his Vest upon the proclamation that they had been on adventures. That was certainly the truth! He wasn't sure if it felt stronger or not, but he'd know soon enough when one of Caido's hungry or pissed-off fauna took another swipe at him. He managed a weak smile as he sat back on his heels. "Thanks, Ludo. It's been, uh... excitin'." And here was hoping the Vest kept him from having to see the herald in its other aspect anytime soon!

~Fin~