Gear Up-2

Marcus passed Zale the robe before unclipping the staff. Though the robe was elaborate and large, the weight was bearable as Zale slipped his arms through the black cloth. The black sleeves were striped with iridescent red and orange, the same as the sides, hems, back, and hood of the robe.

Zale weighed the robe on himself and thought about the added weight of his armor. He shrugged a few times and tried a small hop. The weight of the jump was uncomfortable on his knees, but just standing was fine. "I should be able to manage this much, but I don't think I can do the full set," he said.

Marcus passed the staff, a dark wooden rod with a blue crystal set into the gnarled head, to Zale. The staff was far heavier than he remembered, but not impossible to work with. Marcus watched Zale slowly going through motions as if performing tai chi. He commented, "You know what, don't you have a body enhancement passive blessing or something? I thought all blessed receive one. Shouldn't you be able to move just fine with all that extra strength on you?"

Zale stopped and smiled. "This is with my enhancement passive. I didn't have to really do rehabilitation thanks to it, but I'm still pretty weak. I have practically no muscle left after the atrophy. Without my blessing, I'm not sure how long it would have taken for me to just walk again, much less be here."

"Ah. Sorry. A-Anyway, I guess the full suit is too much. I think I can find something suitable for you, though. Just something a bit better than shorts," he offered, steering away from his blunder.

"That would work. I don't think it'll be that important, so don't stress about it."

"Please. This isn't even close to stress. Dealing with preparations for some of the 5th and 6th tier hunters? Now THAT'S stress. Some of them are a pain in the ass too, thinking they are so high and mighty. I'm glad I only have to work with them on big raids. This, though? This is nothing," Marcus replied, lightly bumping Zale with his elbow.

Zale shook his head with a small smile. He disrobed and returned the items to the locker. "I should probably use some accessories too. I don't need the full kit. Probably just the warding Ring and Haste Ring."

"What about your Celerity Cuff?"

"Ah, that's a good idea," Zale nodded, then skeptically, "I think. I shouldn't need it, but maybe I'll use it just in case."

Marcus walked back to his workbench littered with bits of armors, metal shavings, and various wires and screws and tools. He grabbed a thick tablet and marked down the items mentioned. "Sounds good. I'll get you right with the other equipment before ship out. Dunno if Effie told you, but ship out's at 4:30."

"Alright. Sorry for the trouble."

"Like I said, this is nothing. Just glad yer back in one piece," Marcus winked before turning back to his table and scrolling through the tablet's catalog of equipment.

Zale took this chance to take a stroll around the compound. Whether he'd forgotten intentionally or on purpose, Zale finally decided to message Meru. They were supposed to see each other, but Effie's surprise attack was keeping him busy.

Zale- Hey.

Meru- Howdy

Zale- Sorry for texting so late. Effie called me into work. I'm

helping with newbie training today.

Meru- Nice? I think. Well, I mean, that's Effie for you.

Wait...are you on base rn?

Zale- Yuh. Just taking a walk.

Meru- Where?!?

Zale- uhhh...at the far end of the garage. Just talked to

marcus about my gear

Meru- stay

dont

move

a muscle