onepassingnight | ❀ diamond in the rough, a flower blossoming in the slums

Perhaps getting thrown down here was part of the plan. The great quest. The attempt to woo sweet Agrabah princess, or just fetch what that weird rug merchant asked you to get.

More likely this particular stop wasn't on the itinerary. Boy is that Saucer of Wonders picky! The moment you--or a faithful but not always reliable animal companion--got distracted by something shiny, it was down the hatch to a natural desert prison, surrounded on all sides by quicksand. There's evidence that people have been here...and evidence they died here. You're not about to find anyone alive and kicking in the rundown shacks anytime soon.

Look long enough, though, and you'll find a dusty watering can lying on its side. The weathered metal has certainly seen better days, but maybe it could be cleaned up with a little polish?

Or maybe you're more interested in the "water" part of "watering can". This is a desert, after all.

Pick it up?

[ No? But thou must! Not much is going to happen until that can's picked up, and Aerith might get a bit impatient if your character ignores her. Oh yes, indeed, she's in there as the Genie.

In a little spin on the theme, I'm using the Disney take rather than the classic version itself. Also, if you want to find the watering can in a completely different place to better fit your own character's quest, that's fine! (And I do mean completely different, never underestimate the power of cosmic ...powers.) The Gold Saucer/Corel Prison just happened to suit the Cave of Wonders sequence nicely. ]

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In spite of how small Aerith the genie is in comparison to the massive knight, he somehow finds the need to stand his ground against her initial glare. But at least she smiles, even though his helm briefly wanders around where her legs should be amidst the smoke.

After a brief feeling of translocation sickness, he's back in the city. Although in the middle of a marketplace with people staring baffled at the renowned knight that appeared from thin air.

"Good."

... And nonchalantly, he walks as if nothing had happened, nodding Aerith to follow her. And everyone staring baffled at what had just happened.

"Let's find a tavern first."

Though she doesn't always have legs, once they're in the desert town they're there, making long strides to keep up with Mr. Knight. Speaking of Mr. Knight.

"Do you want to do introductions there or now? It's a little funny not to know my new master's name."

With the question, the knight turns towards the immaterial companion. The helm slowly tilts in curiosity, before straightening, staring at the genie's coy smile. She looks familiar. But in any case...

"John."

... It used not to be a rarity to not know his name until recently. His helmet

"And the genie's...?"

"John. Funny. If I didn't know better I'd say we'd already met!" The name is familiar...something about the helmet, though the rucksack seems new. "But I only come out once every few thousand years. Oh--of course, I'm Aerith."

His helm tries recognizing the features. Like the genie at his service, the name is familiar on the back of his mind. But, having never found a female genie at his service in the past, he shrugs it off.

He nods to her. He checks his rutsack for things that might be worth selling as loot.

"Think we can buy something better than a watering can?"

"Wait! You can't sell the can, I need it."

"Can't we get you a better home?"

A lamp. Something more dignified. Magic is too finicky for his taste, sometimes.

"What are you saying, I picked that!" Pouting, she folds her arms. "What's wrong with it?"

She does like gardening after all. And lamps are too fussy!

"It's a rusting gardening can."

And the loot he found could get her a more fancy home. He hopes.

"...

Can't we get a new one?"

"I suppose," she says slowly, "I can be open to new suggestions. But it's only rusting a little.'

They might have different definitions for that word. Just possibly.

He nods his head to the gardens of some noble. Even the watering can held by one of the vassals tending the flowers seems to be overly adorned.

"... How long did you spend in it?"

A little may be an understatement.

Oh. John, why did you have to go and point that can out? Now that something similar but clearly better--cleaner, fresher, nicer--has been pointed out, Aerith is thoroughly distracted as she eyes it.

"Um--what?" She plays his question back to herself. "Oh...last time I was out, it must have been around 1200 B.C. Not that they were calling it that yet.

That one does look nice," she says cautiously. As if her look hadn't already given it all away.

...

And John bemoaned that he had spent his time frozen for years lost to him. On the other hand, neither the comely genie nor the knight ever had to spend 100,000 years alone in a vacant ringworld.

"Want us to buy it?" He lifts the watering can to compare it to the newer one. The 'us' mentioned that Aerith was a part of his team as any other person.

"You're flipping things around, you know," Aerith says, sounding pleased but a bit embarrassed at the same time. "The master doesn't usually grant the wishes."

"Usually."

He nods back to a seller... Ignoring his confused look at the genie coming from the watering can. She was still a companion. Her opinion was still important when it came to the resources they shared.

"Rank doesn't mean I should ignore yours."

She looks just a touch peeved, her expression pinching. "Hey, I have phenomenal cosmic powers. I wouldn't talk about rank!"

He rises both hands.

"Just saying. You have needs."

"This might be more of a tiny little wish." Compared to what she really wants. Still, she smiles. "Okay. Let's get it!"

❀ diamond in the rough, a flower blossoming in the slums

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haha I'd forgotten they did exchange names last time ^^;

It's cool! It can be handwaved for the different appearances!

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