The social link improvement continues for Arnold...and this one may be on the short side in terms of words, but quality over quantity is sometimes best.

Social Links & Then Some

The night had arrived again and the three remaining towers appeared, but since Mint still hadn't recovered, we couldn't go to the towers.

We chose to walk to the city and see if going here when not a mission brings them out...sure enough, we felt a presence...they were here too.

BGM: Persona 3 OST - Fearful Experience

"Well, how wonderful to see you all in person again." Takaya greeted as he and the two others turned up.

"Who the heck are you?" Ranpha asked.

"Ah, is this the new member you rescued from the tower before?" He smirked. "Just so you know, we are Strega and I'm the one destined for greatness."

"You sure are full of it."

"And so are you it seems." Jin remarked.

Ranpha got irritated. "You wanna try me, punk?!"

"Settle down, Ranpha." I intervened. "There's no need to attack them, unless they do it first."

"Hmph!" Chidori said. "You are still beneath us."

"We are impressed that you defeated Sir Reginald and brought forth the ruin of the Tower Of Elegance." Takaya praised sarcastically. "But now, with the second tower destroyed, we are starting to feel concerned."

"Why's that? You worried that something will happen?" Morgana asked.

"That's for us to know and for you to not bother." Jin answered. "We're warning you now, stay away from the towers if you know what's good for you!"

"And what if we don't?" Ranpha asked.

"Then we will have no choice but to intervene." Takaya answered before he motioned something close to his jeans.

I gasped. "Wait...you're carrying a gun?"

He smirked. "And you finally see that I am armed? That took you quite a while to notice."

"Arnold, I'm not sure if we should get in their way." Milfie said. "We don't have anyone on our side who uses guns."

I knew what she meant, Forte isn't with us...we better rescue her soon if we want to have a gun wielder to counter Takaya.

"That shouldn't matter." Ranpha responded. "If they attack us, we'll just use our personas and kick their asses."

"My, you sure are a lively one." Takaya said. "Such raw passion and emotion."

"What's you're point?" I asked.

"It is just as we said, cease entering the remaining towers, you have been warned." The three left till they were out of sight.

End Of BGM

Ranpha sighed. "Geez, who the hell do they think they are? I'll show them next time."

"That will have to wait, Lady Ranpha." Morgana replied. "Let's focus on waiting for Mint to recover and then plan to rescue the next person."

"Wait...you're calling me a Lady?"

"Uhhh, I-I mean that I say some things that can't be controlled."

I rolled my eyes...this cat will be close to pushing his luck with her some day.

We walked back to the Elsior and I went to the bridge, Lester wasn't around and neither was Coco, but Almo was there.

"Oh, Commander Arnold, what is it?" She asked.

"Just wanna speak with Lady Shatyarn." I answered. "If you can."

"Affirmative, setting up a transmission call."

The monitor switched on at the front of the bridge and Shatyarn appeared on it.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - White Moon

"Good evening, Arnold." She greeted. "What brings you to call me during the night?"

"I would like to know how it's going over where you are." I replied. "Are Empress Shiva and Commodore Tact concerned for me?"

"They are and whilst I do not blame them, they feel helpless, knowing that there isn't anything they can do personally."

I sighed. "Yeah, I thought as much. But if they're worried then they should know that I am doing okay and the rest of the crew are too."

"Of course, I will let them know, it will surely lift thier spirits up for a little longer."

"And how about you?"

"I too cannot help but worry for you." She smiled. "After all, you once said that I resemble a mother that you've never had."

I smiled back. "I did say that once...worrying for me like a mother would for a child, I can feel the care from here which is a good thing."

"I'm pleased that you understand."

I sensed our bond growing a little.

Social Link - Judgement - Rank 3!

"Well, please continue to stay safe."

I nodded before ending the transmission.

End Of BGM

I began to feel sleepy, so I called it a night and got to my bed in the commanders room.

BGM: Persona 4 OST - Signs Of Love

Daylight was across the city and building up my social bonds was all I could do for now.

Almo and Coco also came with me, cause they wanted to try out the cafe that I was at yesterday.

"The milk tea around here is real nice." Coco said.

"Yeah, it's kind of relaxing." Almo added. "Arnold, you picked a good choice here."

"Well thanks." I replied. "I just thought that grabbing a cup of tea here was something you would like."

"Especially when we have Milfie's cookies to share as well." Coco added. "I'm glad the employees haven't noticed these."

"Yeah, we're quite lucky, must be to do with Milfie's luck." Almo giggled.

I sensed their enjoyment around me.

Social Link - Sun - Rank 3!

Social Link - Moon - Rank 3!

"Well, we should go and check on the crew workers at the hospital." Coco said.

"Yeah, some of them must be healed by now." Almo added. "We'll see you later, Arnold."

End Of BGM

I nodded as the two of them left the cafe. Making a payment, I then left the cafe too.

The next stop was at the abandoned building where I succeeded in yet another trial and being praised and somehow obtaining a crystal sphere that was dropped.

"I've got a question, Erebus." I said as I put the dropped item in the bag. "Do shadows have the same feelings and emotions as humans do?"

"Hmmm...that is a question we shadows have pondered over the centuries." He answered. "We understand that when a human displays an emotion, its shadow too feels the same and then its source is brought over to me so I feel it as well."

"So because of you being the god of shadows, you feel the emotion from a human greater than its shadow?"

"That is correct." He nodded with his arms folded.

I began to sense an understanding of his kind.

Social Link - Death - Rank 4!

"Return for your next trial when you are ready, mortal." Erebus then vanished and I left.

BGM: Persona 4 OST - How Much

Next stop was the weapon store so I could handle the crystal sphere to Ron and he was happy.

"Thank you, honey." He said, putting the sphere underneath the desk with the two others. "Are you finding my weapons handy?"

"Yeah, with every improved weapon we buy, we seem to become stronger each time." I answered. "I hope you can continue to provide these things for us."

"Sweetie, I plan to keep this store going for as long as I like, well until I find the man of my dreams." He then swooned a little.

I could understand his reasons in some way...

Social Link - Emperor - Rank 3!

"Come again soon, deary." He called as I left the store.

End Of BGM

The afternoon came and I was at the city's book store with Lester, apparently he wanted to buy something that's been on his mind.

"It's not often you go outside the ship and go somewhere like this." I said. "What's the occasion?"

"Just looking for a few copies of something useful." Lester replied. "Some of which is personal."

"I see...could one of them be to do with being a bachelor?"

"You're sharp as always, but yeah, something like that."

Exploring along the several shelves, Lester grabbed at least three books and he nodded to me, signaling that he was done. He placed the books on the counter and made the purchase out of his own money. We then left the book store and he seemed a little happy to have them.

"Hey, here's a little secret." Lester said. "One of these has useful tips on how to become close friends with girls, I think it'll come in handy for me in the future."

"I won't say a word about it to anyone." I replied.

"Thanks."

I sense Lester putting his trust in me.

Social Link - Hanged-Man - Rank 4!

"Well, I'll be going back now, see you back at the Elsior." He said before leaving with the books.

I looked at the time, it was almost time to head over to Bright-Light to do my first work day there.

I arrived at the bar a few minutes early before opening time and I settled into standing behind the bar counter.

"Okay, Arnold." Cindy said. "As soon as we're open, it might be easy at first with one or two people, but be ready for when a small crowd arrives."

"Got it." I replied. "I'll be ready to make a good first impression."

The doors were opened and in came one person who sat on the bar stools.

"Huh? Are you a new face around here?" The customer asked.

"I am." I answered.

"Hi and welcome to Bright Light." Cindy greeted. "What can we get ya?"

The customer made his order and with a bit of guidance from Cindy, I was able to make the drink he wanted and he seemed impressed. Then a few more came in after a few minutes passed by and the next thing I knew, I was getting the hang of serving one good drink after another, even though it was my first night.

After an hour passed by, there was a quick break for me and Cindy.

"So, how did you think you did?" She asked.

"I'd say nice going even though I just started here." I answered. "But I feel that was just a warm-up."

"I'll say, well I think you've got potential to be a great bartender, but maybe you'll do even better if you come here to work on the days you have as much as possible."

"We'll, it'll depend on my busy schedule, but it's good to know that I can be useful."

She smiled at me and I sensed that she could see the potential in me.

Social Link - Devil - Rank 2!

"But, remember what I said. If you start wobbling a little, I'll have to be playful to you."

"Yeah, I remember." I replied with a sweat nearly dripping from my head.

After a while more, my working hours were finished and Frank came to see me.

"Not bad, junior. I like your potential." He said. "But don't let it go to your head, there may be some nights where it won't be that easy."

"Yeah, I have a feeling that this is gonna get more busy." I replied.

"And I can tell, seeing how a few customers were impressed with your drink serving. Anyways, here's your little reward for working well on your first time."

He handed me 2,500 credits, which I added to my already impressive pile of over 45,000 credits...just a little more to go now.

"Thanks, I best be off now."

"Yeah, go on kid, see you here on the next night you need to come here."

I then waved and left the bar, walking back to the Elsior.

BGM: Persona 4 OST - Reasoning

Me and the rest of the party were outside, sitting by a table, watching the sun go down.

Just then, we heard footsteps coming from out of the ship and looked to see who it was.

"Hi everyone." Mint Greeted.

"Mint!" Milfie responded happily. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am all better now and I feel quite refreshed, happy to see you once again."

"That's good news." I said. "Does that mean you can now come with us to help us in battles with?"

"Yes, so just say the word and I'll provide support, Arnold."

I nodded. I am so glad she's alright, it's not the same without her graceful presence.

"Awww, have you become a charming gentleman as of late, Arnold?"

My eyes opened wide, I had forgotten about her telepathy.

"Oooh what did he say?" Ranpha asked.

"A summary about candy." I answered. "Anyways, we should get ready, we have another rescue mission to do."

"Right, starting from tonight, we're going to the third tower of our choice." Morgana said. "The next one to the Tower Of Elegance that we destroyed is the Tower Of Courage, that's probably where your next friend is."

"Courage...that must be where Forte is, she is the ring leader and is the bravest one out of all of us." Milfie replied.

"Yeah, she also brings a lot of morale to the group too." Ranpha added.

"Then as soon as it's night time, we'll get going." I said. "Let's prepare to rescue Forte!"

As Morgana, Milfie and Ranpha went back inside to prepare, Mint looked like she something else to say.

"Arnold, if we do make it back here in one piece, I'll treat you to a drink and some of my sweets."

"Neat." I replied.

"But if you struggle to come back here, you owe me sweets which will come out of your salary."

I gulped. "I'll make sure that definitely does not happen." I'm sure she won't go back on her word.

"Oh Arnold, you know that a young lady like me never goes back on her word.

I laughed quietly. But that's why I like Mint for who she is...

Social Link - Empress - Rank 2!

"Well, I should prepare too, let's work together like we've done in the past." Mint said.

"Agreed, let us do so." I replied as she went back inside.

End Of BGM

I stayed outside and watched the sun go down...we had our next tower of choice planned...I just hope we can do it quick before Strega has a chance to respond.

Next time! The party journey to the Tower Of Courage to rescue Forte, however, a slight twist comes into play...