To Chase a Shooting Star [Closed: Claria, Lucius, Collin]

[LuckyBlackCat]

Guilt prickled at Claria as she looked over her shoulder at Lucius, who remained kneeling, forlorn. Had she been too harsh? A realisation crept over her - if he really did hail from an age long gone by, he was in all likelihood grieving, his blunder having reminded him of his fallen followers and the way things once were. The Zora had suffered their own losses during the Calamity, most notably that of Princess Mipha, but out of everyone, the Hylians had been hit hardest by far.

She let out a sigh of her own, shaking her head in response to Collin's question. "Can't say I've ever met him," she murmured. "He'd be rather... memorable." That and his lightning-based combat style wouldn't exactly go down well in the Domain. "If he truly is an instructor though, he'll know a thing or two as a referee, squirrel whisperer or no."

Just as she turned to approach Lucius, check that he was alright, the knight stood with a lively and fetching sweep of his hair and cape, his confidence renewed - at least outwardly. He caught up with surprising agility, despite his heavy plate mail, but then again, the red tints in his eyes indicated he probably was part Sheikah.

At his question about their choice of route, Claria mulled over the options, her frown mirroring his as she scanned the flatter, better-trodden paths, as well as the outcroppings that loomed over them. "It would certainly be smoother to navigate," she replied, "but if any monsters or unsavoury types are hiding out along it, that would cancel out any convenience." Especially given her... unfortunate tendency to attract attention. Between the three of them, they'd be able to fend off any direct attackers, but combat skill wouldn't keep them safe from sneak attacks. Only utmost vigilance would.

Her gaze shifted to the steep, rocky path that led directly to the nugget of light. "As for any other route, there'll be less chance of an ambush, but... well, this region isn't known for easy terrain." The crags, however, didn't seem to deter Collin, who plucked his cane from his belt and used it to clamber up them as if they posed no obstacle. She looked from him to Lucius, noting the knight's obvious unease at the prospect of taking the well-trodden path. If he spoke the truth about his history, he'd have plenty of experience traversing rough landscape. As for herself... well, not only did she live in Lanayru, but she was well accustomed to the treacherously rugged hills, cliffs, and valleys of the Depths.

"If you're both ok with it, let's take the path less travelled." With careful steps up the bumpy slope, she ventured a little ahead of Collin, leading so as to illuminate any trip hazards.

[El]

Tangible relief softened Lucius's expression, a pleased smile taking rest upon his lips. He nodded with encouragement, "A wise choice, Miss Stellamaris: it is far easier to anticipate the potential dangers of terrain, than it is to read the minds of the living."

Fortunately the Zora had little trouble navigating her homeland - as was anticipated - and even the Hylian demonstrated some easy agility. Lucius was glad the cane at his hip was simply a tool, rather than indication of a hindering ailment. He would have hoisted the man up into a dignified carry if need be of course - such a task would've been effortless and he'd be glad to assist - but it only did a soul harm when their vulnerabilities were exposed to strangers. No doubt Claria had her own preferences too, being a warrior of the waters, but they were doing well nonetheless!

With graceful gusto Lucius followed suit, initially eager to champion the head of the small group only to instead fall back to cover their rear instead. Claria had made a point to claim that spot herself and appeared to take a quiet pride in casting her illuminations to aid visibility. Neither of these things Lucius struggled with, but past experiences informed him that it was best to keep such facts to himself for now. Everyone wanted to prove useful.

As the sky began to crowd with ripe rainclouds, the first of many cold droplets striking his cheek in an elegantly glittering teartrail... Lucius found himself thinking on his earlier attempt at poetry. The majority of his processing power was still focused upon their surroundings of course - his crimson pupils expanded wide to drink in a greater wealth of information - but unbidden a hum of enlightenment strummed the pleasant chords of his throat. In a silken-smooth melody of a whisper Lucius murmured,

"Dawn was bleeding through the veil,
"...Budded dew, glittering anew-!"

Hmn. Yes. That rolled off the tongue well. It was a vast improvement on his earlier attempts at the very least. Though it still lacked a certain-... well, a conclusion. A more concrete turn of phrase to act as the foundations of purpose. This was a poem about the stars after all: specifically those which fell.

"Shivering atwinkle as they did-
Hmn no.
"At Naydra's sigh the heavens shook,
"Shimmering askew, one fell and struck true."

Displeasure clicked Lucius's tongue. Now it felt too literal. Plus there were too many words encumbering the ease of rhythm.