Work Text:
The Hero walked, each step a uniquely perfect measured distance of length. The cold earth warm beneath his boots and shifting upon contact, making way for his every step.
Behind him, the Mage followed an equally measured distance and speed. She inhaled a breath before speaking.
“You did well back there,” she stated as if that wasn’t obvious. “You’re plan took down those enemies easily.”
“Well of course, as expected of someone of my caliber,” The Hero said bluntly before pausing. “However, you were also vital. I couldn’t have pulled it off without your healing skills.” He smirked.
The Mage bowed slightly, gripping her staff tightly. “Thank you.”
The Hero stopped walking for a moment and turned. He faced the third party member. The Dragon.
“I can’t say the same about you, however.”
The Dragon scowled at The Hero. “Why not?”
The Hero scoffed, putting his hands on his hips in an exaggerated expression. “First of all, your bickering did not help, nor do your awfully timed attacks. I mean, at least try to be in sync?”
The Dragon growled. “I don’t need to be ‘in sync’, I’ll just hit ‘em hard and they’ll die.”
A sigh of berated annoyance came from The Hero’s mouth as he harshly rubbed his forehead. “Ugh. You’re completely ignoring in sync critical hit bonuses! You’re lucky I’m here to carry your dead weight!”
…
Noelle put down her phone for a moment. She could only take so much more of… this writing. Tell her why she agreed to beta read Berdly’s fan fiction again? Right, because she thought it would be fun. And maybe she’s a little desperate for Dragon Blazer fics.
Her phone vibrated for a moment. A message, likely Berdly. Knowing him he probably timed how long it’d take to read the work in progress.
She let out a sigh before picking up her phone and opening messages.
…
SmartGenius: So?
SmartGenius: What’d you think?
HolidayGirl: uhmmm ( ' ．_ ．)
HolidayGirl: some criticisms
SmartGenius: Hit me with them, I’m open!
HolidayGirl: are u?
Holiday: will u just argue why you did it that way?
SmartGenius: I won’t!
SmartGenius: probably
HolidayGirl: XD
HolidayGirl: ok ok
HolidayGirl: 1st thing. ur describing certain details too much
SmartGenius: Well my story needs to be detailed.
HolidayGirl: yea but do we really need to know the distance and speed of the characters
HolidayGirl: unless ur making fun of how the characters walk like that ingame lol xp
SmartGenius: Exactly! That’s what I was doing.
HolidayGirl: lol okay
HolidayGirl: but aren’t u writing a more serious story
SmartGenius: Well of course!
SmartGenius: I don’t have time to appreciate your… ahem.
SmartGenius: “Crack fics.”
HolidayGirl: XD
HolidayGirl: u just don’t understand the art XD
SmartGenius: I suppose. I am not one to judge someone’s reading tastes.
HolidayGirl: except kris’ lmao
SmartGenius: Okay but they’re the one who is clearly keeping How to Draw Dragons
SmartGenius: What reason to not return it at this point? Obviously they’re addicted to it or something.
HolidayGirl: they haven’t returned it cuz it’s funny to see how long they can keep it for XD
SmartGenius: That return fee is gonna make them regret it!
HolidayGirl: they’ll find some way to get my mom to pay XD
HolidayGirl: okay back on track
HolidayGirl: you use some oxymorons
HolidayGirl: and the dialogue is a bit flat and maybe ooc
SmartGenius: Are you suggesting that I don’t understand the characters?
HolidayGirl: this is set after the 1st chapter of the game right?
HolidayGirl: the dragon isn’t mean like this at that point :<
SmartGenius: Well her whole gimmick is how she doesn’t cooperate.
HolidayGirl: yeah
HolidayGirl: in chapter 1
HolidayGirl: there are plenty of scenes where hero and dragon are chill
HolidayGirl: wait
HolidayGirl: XD
SmartGenius: What is it.
SmartGenius: What’s so funny?
SmartGenius: Noelle?
HolidayGirl: ur pushing shipping propaganda aren’t you berdly xp
SmartGenius: WHAT???
SmartGenius: NO!!
SmartGenius: I don’t do “shipping.”
HolidayGirl: yeah XD well this is clearly Hero x Mage
SmartGenius: Just because characters have chemistry doesn’t mean it’s a ship!
HolidayGirl: pff mage has more interesting chemistry with dragon than hero
SmartGenius: I’m SORRY?
SmartGenius: You think the extra party member has more chemistry than the two main characters???
HolidayGirl: fahaha they’re cute xp
SmartGenius: Oh I see, you get to push your shipping propaganda now?
HolidayGirl: okay XD when you say it like that
HolidayGirl: then yeah i am xp
SmartGenius: Well, apologize my deer Noelle but Hero x Mage is simply the more logical outcome.
SmartGenius: Infact, the Japanese translation of the game has much heavier implications towards the two getting together.
HolidayGirl: well excheese me
HolidayGirl: cuz i dont care XD
HolidayGirl: hero x mage is boring actually
HolidayGirl: ur ship sux xp
SmartGenius: Okay now you’re just baiting me!
SmartGenius: But I shall entertain you on this late night.
SmartGenius: Hero and Mage are simply perfect for each other. Their personalities and feelings match like puzzle pieces!
HolidayGirl: fahaha thats why its boring
HolidayGirl: dragon is initially feared by everyone, and she leans into that scary persona
HolidayGirl: but when hero gives her the chance to open up she isnt all that bad as she’s been made out to be
HolidayGirl: so mage gives her a chance and they get along super well so xp
HolidayGirl: uh where was i going with this XD
HolidayGirl: oh, mage being this magician who comes from a prestigious area clashes with the dragon’s harsh upbringing
HolidayGirl: umm yeah they’re cute xp
SmartGenius: Hmm. Very well. I see where you are coming from.
SmartGenius: Perhaps I shall indulge in some works under their tag.
HolidayGirl: omg yes!!!!!!!!
HolidayGirl: u should totally look at their fanart xp
HolidayGirl: the artists for them are like modern day renaissance painters XD
SmartGenius: Enjoy this slight win, but I shall not let up on my beliefs!
HolidayGirl: fahahaha cheezus just be a multishipper XD
SmartGenius: Ah? A multishipper?
HoldiayGirl: pff berdly u know u can ship more than one pair right??
HolidayGirl: i also think hero x dragon is cool!
SmartGenius: Ahem. Yes. I know. Of course.
SmartGenius: I just haven’t partaken in the others as of yet.
SmartGenius: But fear not, for I shall! As I am a true Dragon Blazers fan!
HolidayGirl: XD hey berdly
SmartGenius: Yes?
HolidayGirl: i’ll give you 100 cheesy points if u change ur fic to mage x dragon
SmartGenius: …100?
HolidayGirl: 100.
SmartGenius: That would net me a higher cheesy value than what Kris has at the moment.
HolidayGirl: xp
HolidayGirl: think about it
SmartGenius: Think? Noelle, consider your fanfiction written.
SmartGenius: No longer will Kris hang their 99 extra cheesy points over me!
…
The Hero strolled along, each step crunching the gravel path. Synced footsteps followed behind.
The Mage stopped, and the others turned their attention.
“I just wanted to say that we did pretty well back there,” she said, a bit unused to giving compliments. “We took down those enemies easily!”
“Well of course, as expected of a team of our caliber,” The Hero said proudly, looking at their party members.
The Mage bowed slightly, the grip on her staff loosening slightly.
The Hero turned to face The Dragon, gravel shifting beneath them.
“I must say. Your great strength is a welcome asset.”
The Dragon smirked proudly. “Of course. Show me any enemy I’ll take ‘em down!” She began flexing her muscles as a show of strength.
The Mage gazed at The Dragon’s strongly built body in awe. “Y…Yeah! You’re incredibly strong! And I’m sure if I use a strength spell you could take down anything!”
The Dragon slowly faced away blushing in embarrassment, though hard to tell from the scales. She clearly hasn’t gotten this many compliments before. It was nice getting them from someone as nice as The Mage.
The Hero faced onwards down the path. “Well, this adventure isn’t going to complete itself. Let’s get moving!”
…
Noelle couldn’t hide her smile while reading. This was definitely an improvement from what she was first given. She couldn’t lie, she was pretty proud of Berdly for actually considering any actual changes to his writing.
Oh- there’s still a bit more!
…
“Y’know,” The Mage faced The Dragon. “I’m pretty tired of all this walking. Mind carrying me?”
The Dragon blushed. “M…Me?? I mean— Of course! I’m strong enough to carry anyone!”
…
Hmm. Noelle figured she should probably talk to Berdly about subtlety next…
Or maybe he just really wanted those cheesy points.
Noelle giggled as she opened her messages.
…
HolidayGirl: kris i have a side quest available xp
HolidayGirl: 99 cheesy point reward
Kris: ?
HolidayGirl: pls leave a incredibly sarcastic troll comment on berdly’s dragon blazers fic XD
HolidayGirl: make fun of mage x dragon. i wanna see if he defends it XD XD
HolidayGirl: link is HERE
Kris: 👍