Demolitionist Marie

"We've managed to take back the mine, but several goblins remain entrenched in parts of it. I suspect they're making new weapons out of the remaining resources.

Go and deal with those Nightmare Goblin Laborers and Foremen once and for all. Destroy all of their tools and take back the broken chisels and smashed magic stones. That way they'll be left with nothing to use for their nefarious purposes!

"Well. That's it! Off you go, now--shoo!" Marie gives you a decidedly firm push in the right direction.

"How am I supposed to carry out my investigation with all these distractions, ay? I'd really like to know!

Oh yes, SOMEone said they'd bring me goblin tools and ore, but what's this? Your hands are empty," Marie says with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"I thought I was pretty clear--one, destroy the Nightmare Goblin Laborers' mining chisels; two, smash the Nightmare Goblin Foreman's magic stone; three, report back to me!

And yet, here you are, skipping the first two steps and going straight to three. You can do better than that!

Saermon puts you to shame when it comes to following instructions, and THAT'S saying something."

"Finally, you're back! Did you deal with the goblin tools as per my instructions?

I see... mm-hmm... yes. Okay, not bad. Not perfect, but you worked hard for it, so I won't quibble.

Huh. I knew the goblins used shabby tools, but I never imagined they'd be this primitive. How do they even dig with these things? It seems terribly inefficient..."

Marie trails off into her own thoughts as she examines the goblin tools.

"...help me with that one there!"

You look to the source of the voice and realize that Marie is talking to you.

"Hey! You! Yeah, you! I need your help. Please? You can help me by getting some ore from the goblins.

I have to attend to my investigation and just can't spare the time.

What's that? 'Why?' Don't ask so many questions! It's... lady business, all right? Off you go, now, and don't be late!"

"It's almost that time again... I wonder if he remembers?" Marie looks expectantly at Saermon, who is standing casually beside her.

"Personally, I never forget this day.

What's so important, you ask?

Well, as a matter of fact, our third wedding anniversary is coming up!

"Saermon... he was a different man back then. We were all different," Marie says, now slightly flustered.

"I mean, just think how shy I was back in the day!

At the time, we agreed that, after three years, we would give each other a gift that neither one of us would ever forget.

I spent ages planning mine with Jessie's help before finally deciding what to do.

Like THAT wasn't hard enough, now I've run out of materials. Would you get some more for me from the goblins?

To tell you the truth, I couldn't come up with any good ideas. This gift-giving thing isn't really something I do very often.

Lucky for me, Jessie came up with a great idea. She can be an oddball at times, but she has a bright and creative mind. You'll see."

"Were you able to, um, procure the materials I asked for?

Fabulous! And now, for the piece de resistance..."

Marie clutches the materials carefully and prepares to work her magic.

"Whatever you do, don't say a word to Saermon, okay? I'll die of embarrassment otherwise!"

"Hm. I'm stumped," Marie says as a look of dejection creeps over her face.

"It seems I underestimated how difficult this would be to make.

Why, I don't even have the proper grinding tools... not without the steel of Savage Steel Cloned Beasts and Molten War Wolves, anyway." She's looking at you with those Bambi eyes again.

"Can you... you know. Will you get the steel for me?

I know I rely on other people a lot, but there's no way I could make this gift on my own."

Marie takes the steel from you and acknowledges your kindness with a big smile.

"Thanks for your help, %n%.

I couldn't have pulled this off this without you.

I just hope Saermon likes it, seeing how much time and effort I spent on this!"

"Hey, check it out! This is the pendant I've been making in secret."

With the giddiness of child, Marie opens the pendant to reveal a photo of her and Saermon on their wedding day.

"Pretty clever, right? Not only is it commemorative, it serves as a constant reminder that he's married to me and that he can't just go around sowing his wild oats anywhere he wants anymore!

Now, uhm... there's one last thing. A small little detail, if you will. Can I ask you to give him the pendant for me?

If I do it, I'll get super embarrassed and probably be too shy to even speak. Please, you've got to help me out!"

Huh? Yeah, I always leave things to the last minute... that's just how I roll.

"I'd do it myself, but I just don't have the courage, okay?

Not everyone can be as brave as you--especially when it comes to romance!"

(Indeed, it seems the mere mention of romance has increased her embarrassment by leaps and bounds.)

"...so Saermon remembers, you say? That's wonderful!

After all, he's so busy that I wouldn't even blame him if he didn't have time for an anniversary gift.

But if what you say is true, then my prayers have been answered! I'm sure it will be an unforgettable gift."