[Video]

[gundhamster]

[Gundham starts the video as he sets up his phone looking out onto an empty stretch of grass as he props the phone up on a stump. He sets a large basket down as he steps back and takes a steadying breath, still not quite comfortable with such broadcasts, but making it anyway.]

So, I've been thinking long and hard about how to bring more money into my animal shelter and stable to better fund the upkeep of it, and I believe I have struck upon something.

[He crouches down and pulls what looks like a miniature pumpkin with a large D painted on its side in dark purple paint.]

I've recently gained access to plant based magic as well as curses, hexes, and the like. As such I've decided to try and combine the two and...

[He turns away from the camera and tosses the pumpkin into the clearing behind him. As it hits the ground, it explodes into a cloud of what appears to be purple mist for half a second.]

I've managed to breed a unique strain of miniature gourd with seeds that cause the gourd to burst when thrown, and placed a curse of darkness on them as well. Any caught in the cloud will have their vision darkened as if it were midnight for roughly thirty seconds.

[As he speaks he picks up another one and tosses the gourd for a similar demonstration.] I've found it an effective way to shake off pursuers, when venturing into the forests. The only requirement I am going to enforce on its purchase is some kind of proof that you are venturing into dangerous territory for a quest.

After all, I cannot simply sell such weapons to anyone.

[There's a pause before Gundham glances at something off screen, making a face as if trying to get something to do what it was told before a bear paw could be seen swing into frame before launching the phone much to Gundham's... frustration. Thankfully the phone lands and ends the feed less than a second later.]

Comments

[gundhamster]

Not exploding, no. I used the term 'burst' because there is no combustion to it. No fire or the like. Simple pressure built up within the gourd that causes the burst when thrown. I did not wish to make a weapon, after all. This is a defensive tool that causes no lasting harm, and even the burst itself should someone be directly impacted is at most an unpleasant pressure. Nothing more.

[beautyrest]

I see, well, that certainly is less dangerous, though a very useful deterrent. [Cindy is still screaming.] And very creative and skilled of you.

[gundhamster]

My intent was to create a tool to preserve and defend rather than destroy.

[Gundham lowers his voice to almost a whisper, unaware the microphone on the phone was able to pick it up.]

There's been more than enough destruction around me for one lifetime...

[beautyrest]

[See, Gundam, what sucks for you is Aurora has excellent hearing.]

You are truly doing something very noble and kind. [She'll leave it at that. They have barely spoken to one another, it is not her place to push and pry about what may be troubling him, but she can try and encourage him as best she can.]

[gundhamster]

Noble? [There's a quiet huff.]

Nobility does not suit one such as myself. No, there are others more suited to wear such a mantle. My motivations are purely self-serving as the proliferation of weaponry would disrupt my work near the forests.

[Gundham is more than happy to keep his facade up, blissfully unaware of Aurora hearing that last part.]

[beautyrest]

Is that so? [She doesn't buy it, but she does not pursue it.] Well, even selfish reasons can result in kind actions. The intent of the action does not immediately lessen the value of a good deed.

[gundhamster]

[Gundham is trying very hard to maintain his facade, but it's very difficult in the face of such comments. He's just going to casually tug his scarf up over his face a bit as color begins to fill his otherwise pale face.]

See in it what you will. I make no claims to such things. Only stating the reasoning.

[beautyrest]

But just think, you needn't have done any of that. You could have merely sold the product with your personal stipulations in place but unstated. Yet, here you are.