[Invite-Only] Legend of Zelda: Explorers of Hyrule RPG

[AngelOzwin]

Ferondir almost didn't hear the goron's question; he'd been distracted by the petrichor. Just the smell of the air, fresh after days of solid sun. He loved this smell. It reminded him of better times.
"What? Oh. Yeah." He glanced around. That big ball of wood. "It feels like another life." He wasn't a murderer back then. He hadn't killed yet.
So much had happened. Gregel. Cassie. The King. That dem- no... magical sword.
"That night I..." He'd almost killed his best friend. He felt a tear or two fall across his cheek. Unacceptable. He scowled. That was history. Ancient recent history. "Let's go." If he could get away from this campsite, away from the Wind Runner, away from this new, sad Cassie... He looked at her. She seemed like a whole different person. Almost unrecognizable without her wonderful smile.
He had to help her find it again, somehow, but maybe that wasn't his destiny. Zeph was always better at getting her to laugh. He shook his head. For some reason, it made his brain hurt when he thought of Zeph and Cassie. He stocked off a little way into the forest. He felt like punching a tree. Why?
"Help me, Nayru," he said. "I don't know what I feel. I don't know how to help them. I've read every book you've shown to me, but the answer still eludes me."
A thought forced its way into his mind. "Kindness."
"I don't understand."
But nothing else occurred to him.
"Th--Thank you, Nayru."

[portal2lbp2]

Months... It feels like it, doesn't it? Zeph said, trailing away with his thoughts.
It had felt like a long time since they had been here- Or melted that tree, to be specific.
So much had happened since that night.
Memories flashed inside Zeph's Mind.

"Who are you?!"
"Hey idiot, what's the big idea?!"
"Woah Woah! Hey, I'm sorry... I was just abit...err... startled..."

That night- right here. Were we first met Della. Zeph looked down at the dew-speckled ground.
He could still see were the fire was- and it appeared that the warding spell left some scorch marks in the ground.
Whoops. Zeph added.
He looked over, and saw Ferondir march away- obviously annoyed at something. He seemed to be feeling better, so that's good.
Maybe Zeph should go talk to him? No, he seems fine enough. Though Zeph did make a mental note to check in on him later.
Zeph looked around, observing the various antics of the group- the only similarity seemed that everyone was glad to be on the road.
He looked at Cassie, her bright red hair glistening in the early-morning sunlight. She was the same Cassie, he knew that- But she didn't feel like it.
I have to help her, I know I can. I've always been good at Legilimency- If there's something I can do, I need to do it.
He closed his eyes, remembering the past Cassie. Their Cassie.
Zeph breathed in crisp morning air, and opened his eyes.
Just count to four, like usual. Zeph said to himself.
1...
2...
3...
4. Zeph sighed, now standing up straight and smirking confidently- putting his Facade back on while walking up to Cassie.
Hello. I don't believe I've had the privilege of introducing myself completely. My names Zeph.

[invective~directive]

Shia heard Guzore's nostalgic comment. They clearly recognize this place, and have been here before. The melted tree caught her eye. "What's that?" She saw Ferondir stalk off, and her curiosity was (almost) forgotten. He's upset. What happened? Can I help? It doesn't matter if I can or not, I have to try. She walked over, staring at the ground. I was never any good at this. "Hey... Are you alright?"

[SassyPrincess2.3]

Cassie sat there pondering for a moment. She hasn't nor has tried to speak with anyone for a while now.
"What am I even doing here?" She thought. "I should have just said no to helping these people. But nope! I decided to go along with it. Wait why did I help these people again? What was the point of all this? I don't even know. There are just too many questions going through my mind right now. Ugh......What's going on?.."
Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a voice. It was the voice of the white haired boy that crashed right in front of her a few days ago and invaded her personal space. Which is what he's doing right about now.
"Hello. I don't believe I've had the privilege of introducing myself completely. My names Zeph."
"Zeph." She thought again. "Where have I heard that name before? Sounds really familiar."
"Well it's nice to meet you Zeph." She said as she now forgave him entering her personal bubble.
"I think you guessed my name earlier, but I'm Cassie." She didn't know how else to continue this conversation, but she decided to try anyway. "So uh....How are you?"

[AngelOzwin]

Ferondir looked up. Shia was clearly uncomfortable. He could relate. This place made him both angry and guilty. "It's just... I don't know." He sighed. "Last time I was here... I--" For a moment, he couldn't speak. He took his emotionless mask of off. "I wasn't, I hadn't killed anyone. I was innocent. And now it feels like that person, the Ferondir who solidified that tree, is a different person." He looked off into the trees, it was easier to talk when he couldn't see her. "I'm not the only one who changed. I always hoped I'd find her again. Cassie, I mean... but the smiling girl I knew is out of my reach. Being so close, and yet so far from her... It's torture."
Why was he telling her all this?
Kindness. He wanted the same honesty from his friends. That was why he was opening himself, the reason he was giving her his soul. There was always the risk that she'd crush it, make light of it, or even ignore it. But any pain that such vulnerability could bring was better then the isolation that came of hiding within himself.
"I'm not fine, but I'll soon be." He looked back at her.
It felt good talking to her. Sharing his thoughts. He hadn't known half of this until he'd said it out loud.
"Thank you." He was talking both to the broken girl in front of him and to the goddess Nayru. Together they had shown him what to do. He almost smiled. "Thank you very much, Friend."

[invective~directive]

Shia froze. "I..." He called me friend... She was full of countless emotions. "I can barely remember a time before I'd killed someone..." Get a hold of yourself. "I never knew Cassie, but I know you... Kind of... And if anyone can find her, and bring your old friend back, it's you. Especially with Zeph's help." She knew he'd been open with her. He deserved the same back. "I think you should know something. I don't usually open up to people, but I think it's your business too. I came with you and your friends to see Castle Town, but I think I'd like to stay with you all after that too. I haven't had hope for anything since... Well, what I mean is it's been a while. But you guys... You give me hope, and I don't want to lose that. Which is why I'll never abandon any of you, not ever!" Behind her back, she grabbed her left elbow with her right hand. She was clearly embarrassed. For the second time since Ferondir had met her, that hand was nowhere near her knife.

[AngelOzwin]

Her words were quick. Like the knife she carried, the words were sharp and meaningful. She'd decided something between Arbour Harbor and here. She'd decided to stay. She'd taken the vulnerability he'd shown her, embraced it, and reflected it. The best reaction Ferondir could hope for. "You're right. I'll find her." He reached out, but let his hand fall again. "It's not Zeph. It's not me. It's both. We can help her find herself."
His smile wasn't a mask this time. "I'd be honored to have you as a comrade, and I'm sure the others feel the same."

[invective~directive]

"Likewise." Shia was sincere, and it showed. Then she looked down at the ground. The request came from nowhere, surprising her. "Tell me about Nayru."

[AngelOzwin]

Ferondir blinked. "Nayru?"
She was as disoriented as he was by this subject change. But curiosity was always welcome.
"You know the story of creation, right?"

[invective~directive]

Shia blushed. "I guess not."