After the crew left the forest, they traveled back to Melromarc, hoping to see a mutual friend. When they got to the door, they read the sign above it. It had “Weapon Shop” written in a crude, but efficient manner. After deliberating on the idea for less than a second, the party re-entered the blacksmith’s shop. It was a cold, damp place. It contrasted greatly with the warm, down-to-earth nature of the blacksmith himself. The party looked around the shop: Sora was looking at the swords, Goofy was gently regarding the shields, and Donald was thinking of it as a possible business venture for his Uncle Scrooge. Naofumi warned them that they wouldn’t be able to buy weapons here, as the only one who could wield one would be Raphtalia, who was rummaging through the swords with Sora, pretending to spar, blade against keyblade.

  “Hey! You can’t be doing that here!” The blacksmith scolded the duo for creating a ruckus. Sora and Raphtalia both looked at him and lowered their heads in shame.

  “Sorry…” They both sighed in unison while giving each other a look that said they would continue the mock-up duel later.

  “It’s fine. Anyway, what can I make for ya?” The old smithy asked the party, his biceps bulging, ready to get to work at a moment’s notice.

  “Well, you see. While we won’t be able to use your weapons due to being ‘heroes,’ we would like to buy something for her.” Naofumi pointed toward Raphtalia. Her ears jolted upright, happy to be noticed, but embarrassed for being pointed out at the same time. She was also wondering why the others were called heroes, but not her.

  After what felt like a long time, the party decided to thank the weapon smith and leave, when they heard a,

  *Kupo*

  They looked back. Naofumi and Raphtalia stared at it in confusion, wondering what it even was. Goofy was the one to notify the two,

  “Ah-Hyuk, that’s a Moogle. They travel to some of the worlds that we go to ourselves. They sell us our items, our weapons, and our–Uh?”

  Donald, who was feeling a little exasperated by Goofy’s absentmindedness, chimed in to finish his friend’s sentence.

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  “They sell us equipment, too, Goofy! BAKK!” He started flailing his arms around, thrashing into some of the equipment that the weapon smith had worked hard to forge.

  “I think it’s time for you kids to leave. I’d like to keep my wares in check so that I can sell them at a reasonable price.” The smith groaned at the mess that the rampaging pekin had made.

  “By the way, before you kids leave. What are you two, anyway?” He looked Donald and Goofy over, analyzing their appearance, expecting behaviour that seemed animal in characteristic rather than the anthropomorphicization that these two exhibited.

  “You seem to be demi-humans, but I’ve never heard of your kind before…” He questioned the two of them.

  Donald and Goofy looked each other over. They weren’t sure how to answer themselves. They were animals, sure, but they’ve seen other ducks and dogs who weren’t like them in the slightest. Not able to speak, to walk, to fight– And when they were in more natural worlds, like the Pride Lands, their bodies adapted to the environment and made them more animalistic than they naturally were. Donald became a hornbill, and Goofy became a tortoise. The latter of which the two thought was very strange, and probably had something to do with a tortoise’s shell acting like a natural shield.

  “Gawrsh, Donald, why do you think that is?”

  “Aw, Phooey. How would I know, Goofy?” The two looked down at their feet, wondering how they had never felt so out of place in the past. Donald decided that it was time to leave the shop and grabbed Goofy by the arm, which caused the tall doglike creature to let out his typical holler,

  “YAAAAAAAAH-HOO-HOO-HOO-EEEEE!”

  You know, if he weren’t such a clutz, that could almost sound like a battle cry– Almost. Naofumi thought, a smile started to curve on his lips at the thought of scaring his enemies, most of whom were actually his allies, which was a strange turn of events now that he thought about it.

  “Sorry for the trouble we caused. Can we pay you back later? We don’t really have much Munny. Are there ways for us to earn some, like a quest board, perhaps?”

  Munny? Was that a play on Money? Why was he saying it so strangely? Naofumi had many questions going through his head, all of them required answering at some point or another, but now was not the time. He was curious about the idea of going on a quest to earn some income. Would they have a board in town? Would anyone really trust him? He let his thoughts linger for a moment.

  Am I dragging my party down with me? Their names? Their reputations? I can defend physically, but what about emotionally? Conceptually? I don’t know if I deserve having you all as my friends, but I am grateful for every one of you.

  A tear started trickling down Naofumi’s cheek. He tried to wipe it away, but it was to no avail. His actions were noticed.

  “Mister Naofumi, were you crying?” Raphtalia was ready and willing to protect her friend’s well-being.

  “If you’re going to protect everyone, then you’re going to need someone to protect you. Allow me to do so, Mr. Naofumi. I will be the sword to your shield.”

  Naofumi was taken aback. Here was this kid, who was more aware of his emotions than he was of himself.

  “You got quite the comrade with you, kid. You five are becoming quite the team. Be careful out there. I need you all to come back here in one piece. Promise me that.”

  “Very well,” Naofumi replied, his arms crossed, kind of wondering why the weapon smith was being so sentimental all of a sudden.

  “We promise!”