...Really? [ her expression slackens to a more genuine, quiet surprise, concern now in her voice. ] To what end does consuming them give you?

[ she's trying not to judge, but she did once see him try to drink tea that she specifically said was too hot to drink. and now this - it alarms her honestly. ]

[ it's ok, her superpower is infinite patience. ]

Dextera... you don't need to eat them. [ this time said softer, because it's dawning on her that he's attempting to eat these bones because he's done it before. and that's significantly worse than what she thought this was. ] If you're hungry there are plenty of things here to eat. I could make you something if you really need it right now.

You're not wasting the bones of a monster by not consuming them.

[ said like it isn't the most obvious thing in the world, because this is what dextera truly believes so she can't demean him in the hopes that it will help. gods. but yes that skeleton sure is... coming... slowly... man these things are sad, but she still hates them. ]

Here. [ and she'll just offer him up her skeleton arm club. ] Club them with this. It's fragile but it gets the job done.

Not at all.

[ unless it's like, a scientific sort of skeleton used for research? but those are usually not cursed to continue walking upon the mortal realm. buuut she does feel like she should better explain her behavior-- ]

My homeland has a curse upon it that gives birth to monsters, much like the ones we encounter in the woods. At night however, the ones slain in combat reanimate themselves into an army of the undead. They're usually still smart enough to stay outside of town, but not always.

[ gotta love hyrule! ]

[ "maybe" is an extreme understatement, so thank you dextera. ]

As we should! They don't seem like much, but they can start overwhelming the town if we don't keep them at bay. Greater forces can lead to more danger.

[ she's definitely doing this for altruistic reasons and has no bias whatsoever against evil forces. none. anyway, she kneels down to grab the arm of the skeleton who dextera struck a homerun with so he can keep the arm he borrowed off her. ]

If you're going to collect these bones, I suggest the arms. They're very effective weapons, even if they only last a few hits before shattering.

[ ...hylia, please help this poor man, he brought out thread with his purpose in mind. ]

Just... don't chew in public. You'll worry people.

[ and she's already plenty worried about him in a multitude of ways. ]

[ good enough. she reaches out to take his wrist and give it a tug. ]

Come along. I'll lead the way - I've been wanting to see your power in work again, but we can always take turns clubbing their heads off.

[ he made an impressive shot, so she has to do better now too. ]

They are. I was really worried when I first saw them. Part of me still is, but not because of them in particular.

To better elaborate - if they can enter town, does that mean any monster can now?

[ it's the most outstanding part of all this. the skeletons, while weak and easy to take out, can be a sign of bad omens to come. ]

It's an idea to explore, be it a physical or magical one in nature. The skeletons aren't dangerous, but they could beckon something worse.

[ large swaths of monsters appearing in ways they never have before makes her immediately fall to dire prediction. though she tries to retain optimism, truth is she's still a pessimist at heart. ]

For now we just have to keep them at bay. And hope nothing worse happens.

[ a gentle snerk comes at that, because of course that'd be his answer. but she pauses for a moment and smiles. ]

"Don't worry about it, Princess, we'll handle it like always."

[ it's a terrible, terrible impression of guren's voice and has her trademark Fantasy British™ accent still in tone. is it mean to dunk on his boyfriend? maybe, but it's fun and they're having a good time.

speaking of good times, she waits for the skeleton to get right up close and then extends her hand out to channel her seal. a quick flash of light and the skeleton bones drop to the ground, the curse within extinguished. ]

[ it's both, clearly. she's glad to get that laugh though. ]

Alright then, it's your turn. [ she takes a large step back so that dextera can be up ahead of her, grinning. another skeleton is coming up hot (or cold, in pace.) ] Show me what you've got.