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**jborgon** · 04-12-2014, 11:04 PM

James grimaced at her response. Nothing he tried seemed to soothe her or reassure her, so he decided it would be best to drop the subject, for the time being. Shane heard Sephira's comment and looked at her sideways. He could tell she was on her breaking point and decided it would be best to answer, although he decided to do so in a shady manner. "I am no one to any of you if not your transportation. There is no more you need to know about who I am, for I am many things you might never comprehend. As for my name… A name is supposed to be an identity, a way to know who someone is. My name isn’t. My name is everywhere, belonging to everyone, boys and girls alike. It isn’t mine, but it is still considered my name. I choose not to have a name. The line dividing names and labels has corroded over centuries, and it is a dangerous ground to tread. I choose not to have a name, because a name is supposed to be an identity. One identity. My name is no identity, and all of them at the same time. It is stories on paper and news in the wind. It is the future and all the time spent before me. It is a cold fire that burns eternally in my being. My name is no name, and no name is freedom." James rolled his eyes at the cloaked man's response. If he didn't want to say what his name was, he could've just said that.
"Then what are we supposed to call you?"
"You're not supposed to call me at all. But if you're truly desperate for some kind of title to give me, I've been called Shane before. You can use that, if you wish, but don't expect me to respond if I am not willing."
This time, James sighed and looked back at Sephira. "Whatever." His eyes drifting over his injuries, particularly his broken wrist, he realized he'd never mentioned to Sephira what had happened back at camp. "You know, one of the men back in the camp was a complete and utter cretin. You should've seen it."

**Peeps** · 04-13-2014, 11:19 AM

"Mhm," Inga mumbled in agreement to Gerrard. She also took out another clam, but more out of hunger than some kind of toast. He probably thought she would be joining them in their journey across the waters. It was an interesting idea, but Inga still felt like she had no reason to join them. "I think I'll be saying goodbye when you guys leave." Somehow it felt a bit strange, just breaking off from the group right there. Although, they would probably understand since she was a stranger to them just days before. She wasn't at all involved with their business, and for the most part she still barely knew what was going on. "Honestly, I don't even know the story behind you guys wanting to get away from here."

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 04-14-2014, 09:01 PM

"Sounds like we'd have just as much luck calling you Nobody. In fact, I might just start calling you that." Sephira snorted. "Or would Transport be more accurate? Why are you so keen to take us away anyways? What do you want out of it?" She glanced side-ways at James as he changed the subject, apparently trying to remove Nobody from the conversation. Why was he trying to hard to talk to her alone? Whatever the reason, she supposed she'd been pushing him too hard. He was being too nice, as usual, and she was responding harshly, as usual. She kept hoping she'd push him too hard and he'd back off, but that didn't seem to be happening anytime soon. So she decided to go along. "I was wondering what had happened. I didn't think I'd done that." Her voice was teasing but her expression anything but, her gaze still fixed on Nobody.

**Ser Soup** · 04-14-2014, 09:14 PM

Gerrard put down the clam, now content for the night. Honestly, I don't even know either. These people in this group are really the closest thing I have ever had to friends, so I'm just tagging along I guess. I know that there is some sort of motive behind it, but personally my only motive is to get rid of my old life and forge a new one. And an unknown land seems a great place to start.

**jborgon** · 04-14-2014, 11:30 PM

James began telling the story, explaining how him and two of the others in the group had been assigned to training, but just as he began telling about the instructor, Shane interrupted, this time walking over to Sephira and James and crouching down next to them. "I don't care what you call me, Sephira. I don't care about any of you in particular, to be honest. I don't even mean that to harm your spirit, I doubt it would even if I did, I simply won't lie about my intentions. I intend to head out of this hellhole as much as you do, except my ship is manned by a captain who won't make a needless trip for just one person to a land unknown, even if it is the owner of the ship. I would rid myself of him and get a more willing captain for the ship, if I could. But he's the best there is, and there's a civil war going on, as you've seen. Many ships have been destroyed, entire crews crushed. There aren't many captains for hire. You won't see too many a ship sailing out nowadays. So I knew if I got you to agree to let me be your transportation, the captain would be persuaded into taking us off. And of course I knew you needed the transportation," he continued, eyes glancing down at Elwood as he said it, "and you're not going to get it anywhere else. No other ship owner is willing with this fight, and who else is there? The pirates?" He chuckled, "No, no other ship but mine. So why am I eager to take you away? I'm not. I'm eager to leave in general. Take it or leave it, that is your choice. But I don't reckon you have much time. How long before that which you are trying to protect is gone, and your mission failed? Even if you think you have forever, Sephira, the others don't. Not all of them." He looked down at Elwood again, before straightening back up and walking to the other side of the fire. James didn't continue telling his story. His heart was heavy, wondering what Sephira might choose to do. Whatever it was, he would follow. After all, he always did.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 04-18-2014, 09:52 AM

Sephira's eyes narrowed as Shane crouched in front of her and James, interrupting the latter's tale. She forced herself to remain calm, though, to keep from bristling. When he glanced at Elwood, though, she put a hand on the boy, a defensive gesture that warned the other man to back off. Midnight, who was still under the Kokiri, gave a soft growl, careful not to wake Elwood but still wanting to add his own warning to Sephira's. She patted his head, then said, "So let me get this straight. You want us to take your offer for transportation so that you can use your own ship to leave here. And I suppose you'll be expecting us to pay for the transport too, huh." She snorted. "I'm sure you're right that no one else will take us, but we don't have to head out to sea. We can always go north into the mountains, or south past the swamp. We have more options than you, it sounds like. So why should we take yours?"

**Peeps** · 04-19-2014, 10:36 AM

Inga frowned a little as Gerrard spoke. It sounded like there were some rough parts of his past. She felt kind of bad for him, that he felt close enough to leave with the group but he wasn't even sure why they were leaving in the first place. At least he had his own motives. She was a bit curious why he wanted to start a new life, but thought it would be best not to ask. She, on the other hand, would be returning to her old life. Which really wasn't too bad at all, yet rather uneventful. "I think I'll check out parts of Termina a bit," she said, keeping up the small talk. "Then I gotta head way back to Kakariko." She didn't really like imagining it, but it was going to be a lonely trip.

**jborgon** · 04-21-2014, 06:08 PM

"Payment! Goodness, child, have you not heard anything I've been saying? I don't need money, I don't need company, all I need is a few more souls to make my voyage possible. That's it," he gaped at her, holding his hand up defensively and looking at her with disbelief. She was harder to convince than any other soul he'd ever tried to take, he'd give her that. "And again, you speak as if all the members of your group had as many choices as you do. Sure you can head up the cold mountain, but it is no place for a boy. Would you rather he freeze, or get burned by your fire as you try to keep him warm? And there is nowhere to go down by the swamps. Murky water, witches, and self-centered aggressive dekus is all you will find. You can't protect your group down there, Sephira, try as you may. Now I am offering you a safe option away from all the evils of this land in general, why do you keep questioning a gift? Maybe you should not place your own personal sentiments towards me, a charitable man you just met, before the safe being of your group."

"A safe option? I'm sorry, whoever you are, but as beautiful as the ocean looks I'm not sure I would call it safe. There is nothing more dangerous than the unknown, and we have no way of knowing what we might find out there, if anything at all! If the world be flat and we fall off the horizon, or get swallowed by the monsters of the depths, what then? How will we ever be safe?" James sat up, staring down the man. Ignoring him didn't seem to be working in terms of getting him to go away, so maybe challenging his authority might.

"Ah, but in not knowing what you may find out there, that in itself gives you knowledge of chance, of hope. Just as you don't know if you may find a monster creeping in the water, you have no idea if there's a peaceful world out there waiting for you. That is life, you see, taking chances with the unknown and playing its game. So that maybe you might win." James stared back at him, but his face showed less anger. He felt as if something had changed in his mind. Taking chances had been a part of his entire life, after all, taking chances with Sephira, with Elliot, with Gerrard even. Every smart choice he had ever made had involved taking a chance, so why should it be different now? But he remained silent. It was Sephira who had to take a chance, not only for herself, but for the entire group.

**Ser Soup** · 04-21-2014, 06:13 PM

Ah exploring, wonderful thing if you like it, and miserable if you don't. Me, personally, I love exploring. I used to travel through Hyrule field, exploring every nook and crevasse. Those were the days, even when I was all alone, after what happened to my village. Gerrard stared into the fire, allowing the nostalgia rush through him. It had been far too long since he had dwelled on more positive memories.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 04-21-2014, 08:37 PM

Sephira bristled. Kid!? She hadn't been a kid in nearly seven years! She was getting really annoyed at this man talking down to her. She was about to make a retort when Star nudged her shoulder. "Sephira, think before you speak, for once! You might be Stari trained, but you are still only nineteen. And he is very clearly older. He has a right to call you a cub, just as much as you have James. And you're certainly being childish enough. Stop reacting with your anger and pride and start thinking!"
"But Star-"
"But nothing!" the cheetah snapped. "You were going to take a ship out of the country. Now that one drops itself in your paws, you're questioning it because of how it came to you. Just take the chance."
"He is right too," Midnight rumbled. "Your heat and our fur would protect us from the cold of the mountain, but the others would freeze. And I wouldn't appreciate attempting to go through swamps and getting mud between my toes and in my fur. Let's just take the ship and go."
Sephira sighed. Perhaps they were right. She had been letting her anger and frustration out on Shane. Granted, some of it he had earned, but most of it was just her lashing out. She could only hope that being in an isolated place like a ship wouldn't be too hard for her. Or the others, having to deal with her temper. She sighed again. "Fine," she said, unable to keep from sounding snapping. "We'll take your ship." She touched James' shoulder, then stood and walked off. This time, Star followed her. The Stari might want some privacy, but Star wouldn't let her wallow in any more self-pity, or let her anger out on a stranger again.

**jborgon** · 04-21-2014, 10:23 PM

Shane and James both watched Sephira head off, the first with amusement on his face and the second with some slight worry. Shane then turned back to the others, regaining his composure. "Well, that settles it then. Since my company seems to be so unappreciated here, I will head to the ship now and make sure everything is ready. Unless you have other appointments, we leave in the morning. So say goodbye to whatever you need be done. And when your leader comes back," he added, looking straight at James with a glint of mockery in his eyes, "tell her she made the right choice." With that he turned and began heading off in the opposite direction Sephira had gone in. He knew they would be able to find the ship with no problems, and just how giddy the night had made him he could not express with words.

James stared after him, muttering, "Good riddance." He looked at Gerrard and the others. "We should get some sleep to be ready in the morning. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but it's all we can do now." His hand brushed hair out of Elwood's face and the boy turned in his sleep. Stifling a sigh, James looked into the distance where Sephira had wandered off. He questioned himself over some of the choices he had made, but Sephira was not one of them. He just hoped things would go back to normal some day, if normal ever even was a way to describe things between them.

**Peeps** · 04-22-2014, 10:58 AM

Gerrard seemed to perk up a bit when Inga mentioned exploring. She could tell how much he liked the topic. It was nice to see that he was in such a decent mood. Most of the others at camp didn't seem to be doing so well, mainly James and Sephira as they talked to the new guy. Just before the mysterious man walked away, she heard him tell the others that they would be leaving on his ship the next morning. "Well, I'm sure you've got a lot of it ahead of you," Inga assured Gerrard, referring the exploration. She looked out at the blackness beyond the coast. "Who knows what you'll find."

**Ser Soup** · 04-22-2014, 12:03 PM

Hopefully, something peaceful. I'm about through with these wars and drama, but then again, it is part of our nature. I doubt where ever we go will actually be peaceful. But hey, I can hope. Gerrard also stared out into the black sea. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore was mesmerizing. The moon light was shining off of the black water, and it was beautiful. It was time for yet another adventure, another relocation. Gerrard had never been on a boat before, and he sure hoped he didn't get sea sick, as there were rumors that everyones first time on the sea made them sick. But Gerrard didn't care, he didn't like Termina, and there was really nowhere else to go.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 04-26-2014, 12:36 PM

Sephira only went until she was out of sight before sitting down on the beach, looking out to the sea. A beautiful moon glimmered on its surface, the rolling waves distorting its image. Star sat next to her and leaned against the Stari, their heads together. Sephira reached over and rubbed her ears. "You didn't need to follow me."
"Knowing you, I did," the cheetah replied. "You're going to sit here and feel guilty for losing your temper and for treating James so poorly. You're going to moan about how he's too good for you, and why does everyone stick around when you push them so hard, and why was Shane picking on you so much. You going to sit here and self-deprecate. And when you go back to join the others, you'll be ever more snappish because you've spent the whole night criticizing yourself and you can't stand criticism."
[i]Sephira ruffled the cheetah's ears. "You know me so well."
Star snorted. "After nearly seven years, I'd hope so. Now, I'm going to stay with you all night and cheer you up. Normally that's Midnight's job, but..."
"He's being used as a bed right now," Sephira finished, laughing. She petted the cheetah's side. "You do well enough, Star. Don't be hard on yourself." Star purred with laughter.

The Next Morning

Sephira woke with her head on Star's side, and the cheetah sprawled on the sand, softly purring in her sleep. Sephira smiled at her, then stretched and stood, brushing sand from herself as well. The sun had only just cleared the horizon to the east, turning the sky a creamy orange and pink. Sephira watched it for several moment before waking Star and going back to the camp. She was mildly surprised to see Shane had left, but also somewhat pleased. The longer it took before she had to deal with him again, the better.
Glancing around at the little group, she sighed, feeling again the pressing weight of her responsibility to them. Since they joined together in Hyrule, these people looked to her as the leader. And while she'd done her best to protect them, she knew she hadn't done well as a leader. "What do you see in me, Elliot, that I don't see?" she whispered to the early morning air.
Star nudged her leg. "Stop doing that."
The Stari smiled at the cheetah, then went through the supplies they had. Finding a wide variety of shellfish, no doubt brought back last night by Inga and Gerrard, she decided to make a stew she'd learned from the Zora, an attempt to make up for her prickly attitude the day before.

**jborgon** · 04-27-2014, 06:11 PM

Wolf hair going up his nose. That's the first that Elwood noticed as he awoke. He had apparently taken up Midnight as a pillow and now his breathing was being severely impeded. Pushing himself up slowly, the ache in his arms from the night before subsiding entirely, a very loud sneeze escaped him, shocking him and possibly disturbing the sleep of those around them. He patted Midnight in appreciation and hoped he hadn't drooled on the wolf, at least not too much. Turning around he noticed Sephira already up, and bouncing hurried to her side. "Oh hi, Sephira! What are you doing awake already? I mean I guess anyone would like to be awake so early to see this beautiful beach but I wouldn't guess anyone to give up their sleep for it. Sleep is the best! So what are you doing?" he rambled on as he tried to look around her at her hands. He could see a bag, but didn't know what was in it.

James was alerted into a further state of consciousness by Elwood's sneeze, but he had already been partially awake before it happened. His eyes were closed still and his arms were folded over his chest, laying back on the soft and warm embrace of the sand. He could already feel it heating up from the Sun, and guessed it would soon reach the temperature it had been when Elliot had taken him to that beach, long ago. He still didn't know how Elliot had found it, or if he could even go back there ever again if he wanted to, but it didn't matter. As he heard Elwood talking he let his eyelids slightly drift apart and saw him and Sephira standing on the other side of the remains of the fire. He wondered if he should get up and help, but he was still tired enough to consider it for a few more minutes.

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