4th Frontier [open commentlog, if anyone is so inclined]

[ecopiracy]

[His hair lashes the air behind him like a whip, and with his goggles lowered to protect his eyes, his bangs fly around his face. A wall comes up and he banks hard to the right, very narrowly avoiding plowing into it.

It just isn't the same. He should have been able to pull up and shoot toward ceiling. He should have been able to fly over those

Comments

Ffff. Ceiling Zelda is watching you?

[oblique_wisdom]

[Zelda knows very little about zoomers and the rest of the vehicles from Jak's world. Razer has told her, however, that for those who aren't familiar with vehicles can use horses, something she has a bit more experience with. She's not exactly happy Razer signed her up, but if it's for the sake of the ship's morale, then she supposes she'll live with it.

Someone's already on the track, though, and look at those ears. It doesn't take a second glance to know he's a Havenite or from Spargus or someplace like that. She's wishing she could see that place, so she had a better understanding of the environment.

Zelda's not familiar with him, however, as much as she's not familiar with his sport. Chances are, she'll gladly put Sheik in her place. He has plenty of things to run from, after all. For the time being, she doesn't have a problem watching Phoenix, however. She might just learn something, and if she can be equally impressive as Jak, she... could possibly find herself on a zoomer.

Or not. She's not exactly Haven material.]

[ecopiracy]

[A woman watching him from the sidelines is bound to catch his attention. As soon as he catches sight of her, his attention to the race track falters - and for someone as new to this type of vehicle as he is, that's really not a good thing.

The zoomer tilts abruptly when he shifts his weight, and before he can so much as swear a startled oath, it dumps him right on the grass.

Oh smooth, Phoenix. Very, very smooth.]

[oblique_wisdom]

[She shouldn't laugh. She really shouldn't. He could be hurt! Still, Hyrule's princess has a difficult time keeping a straight face. She swallows it back and lifting the skirts to her gown, she tries to dash onto the grass after him.

That's what she gets for watching him apparently. Of course, she'll never say she's distracting or anything of that nature. She's anything other than that, really. On the other hand, perhaps all Havenites are a bit amusing in that way.

Zelda slows as she approaches him, trying to be cautious.]

Are you all right?

[ecopiracy]

[As Zelda approaches, Phoenix is in the process of gingerly picking himself up off the ground, dusting off the dirt and grass clinging to him as best he can. Some of those stains are not going to come out easily.

He glances at Zelda and gives her a rueful smile.]

Physically, yes, but I'm afraid my pride has taken a mortal blow. I had not expected to have an audience.

[oblique_wisdom]

[Oh, now she's laughing. She shakes her head at him.]

I apologize for throwing you off, Sir. I was watching to get an idea of the track. I have only been here once before, but I will be participating in the upcoming tournament. I thought it appropriate to examine my competition and find a way to properly increase my skill, or lack thereof.

[So he's not the most graceful young man she's seen. He's, at the very least, amusing.]

[ecopiracy]

[Ah, poor Zelda. If only you'd seen him flying. His grace in the air more than makes up for his lack of grace on a zoomer.

Upon hearing that Zelda's words, Phoenix stops brushing off his clothes and really looks at at the woman now. Oh really.]

If you're inexperienced at racing, then you are in good company, my lady. While I have raced before, it was in a type of vehicle that is apparently not accessible.

[He shrugs.]

And so hear I am, attempting to familiarize myself with a zoomer, and doing a rather poor job of it.

[He happens to glance at her hair, then stops and blinks in surprise. Are those Precurian ears?]

[oblique_wisdom]

[Oh, indeed. Zelda doesn't look anything like a racer, she assumes, and once again she inwardly kicks Razer for signing her up. Phoenix captures her attention with his response, however. Her surprise is evident and she taps her fingertips together thoughtfully.]

Inaccessible, really? It must be something larger than what they can transport here. My particular mode of transportation is not readily available either, but I was told that for my participation that it would be "phased" in.

[She makes the necessary hand gestures, and then finds herself hiding another chuckle before peering over to the zoomer.]

I have not used a zoomer before, but I have heard quite a bit of them since I have been aboard.

[Zelda pauses when she notices the particular attention onto her.]

Yes? What is it? Did I say something wrong?

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix nods.]

That makes a certain amount of sense, I suppose. The aircraft I prefer to fly are much larger than any of the vehicles I've seen so far.

[Realizing that he's been caught staring, he flips his hand dismissively, offering a sheepish smile.]

No, it's nothing. I simply noticed that you seem to be from the same world as I - at least, I assume that is the case. Ears like yours and mind do not seem to be very common.

[oblique_wisdom]

If it is so massive then, it would be logical that they would not have the ability to allow you to use it. It is unfortunate, but even this ship has limitations, it would appear.

[She blinks at him, eyes his ears a little more closely and then points between the two of them.]

You think I am... That we are...

[Zelda can't help a juvenile giggle. Something tickles her pink about being mistaken for a Havenite.]

I am not from Haven or Spargus or any of the other places there. Sorry to disappoint you. I am, however, as much elven as you are. The proper term for my kind is Hylian.

[Wait. Isn't his voice somewhat familiar? She's heard it before.]

My ears are not as long as those made by the Precursors.

[ecopiracy]

[It's true, but it still leaves him feeling dissatisfied. Zoomers really are a poor substitute for flight.

But in response to her laughter and her explanation, his eyebrow lifts, and then he folds his arms in a pretense of being stern.]

Amend that with the word "most" and you would be correct. Not all elves in my world have ears as long as mine. yours might earn a second look, but I doubt anyone would comment on them, especially in the face of your beauty.

[It was vaguely disappointing, though, that she wasn't from his world. Still, he wasn't going to let that get in the way of enjoying her company.]

[oblique_wisdom]

[He looks disappointed with her response. Zelda straightens her posture in an attempt to be a bit more... appropriate. She's not making herself look very good. This all goes out the window with his bold commentary. She scratches at a pink cheek.]

That is a bit of an exaggeration. It is very nice of you all of the same. I do appreciate it.

[Then she smiles brightly. She doesn't linger on compliments, really. Call it modesty.]

I think one of the other Havenites said something like that too. It must be true if I am hearing it from another source. I was told my ears are quite short in comparison to the ones you are all used to.

[ecopiracy]

[Her self deprecation earns her a smile and a mild rebuke.]

In my opinion, my statement is not exaggeration. You underestimate yourself, I think. Regardless, I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face.

[And now his interest is doubly piqued.]

I believe I need to clear a wrong impression I may have given you. I am not from Haven, nor am I from Spargus or Kras. I am from Aeropa, a city on the Brink of that world.

But now I am curious. Which Havenites have you spoken to?

[oblique_wisdom]

[Now where has she heard that before? Didn't Jak say something like that once? Or Erol. Or both of them. She smiles a bit sheepishly in reply and then she laces her hands together.

He's not a Havenite. Or from Spargus. Or Kras. Aeropa, Aeropa... Does that name ring a bell to her at all? No. No, it doesn't. She's a bit disappointed.]

Oh... I see.

[Except she's not sure she does.]

I have never heard of Aeropa. The others did not say anything of it. I think I am familiar with... Well... Erol is from Haven, and so is Baron Praxis.

[Praxis isn't aboard anymore, though.]

Was, rather. There is Daxter, but he is not really a Havenite. There is Razer, but I am not entirely too familiar with him.

Oh!

[She fidgets a little.]

And Jak as well.

[ecopiracy]

The people of the mainland generally don't have much contact with those of us who live on the Brink. Many of them, it seems, think the place is a myth. That might be why no one has mentioned it.

[Erol. Praxis. Daxter. Jak. With each name, Phoenix's expression twitches closer to a carefully controlled neutral. He has no issue with Razer, but the others...]

Ah. I see.

[A pause.]

These are all people you met on this ship?

[She has his complete attention.]

[oblique_wisdom]

[So Havenite was considered part of the mainland. It would have made more sense if she knew anything about the place initially. She only knew what the others had told her.]

That would be a very good reason not to bring it up. I grew up on myths and legends, though, so I would rather embrace them than hide them away.

[He seems so interested in her connection with the others aboard. She shifts her weight between her feet, tilts her head at him, and looks up. She feels sort of young in his presence. Maybe it's the height. He's taller than Jak.]

Yes. I am well acquainted with all of them. Again, with the exception of Razer, but he seems to prefer to keep his distance from me.

[Which she doesn't mind, because Razer makes her nervous.]

[ecopiracy]

[That would mean that both Baron Praxis and Erol, the two people Jak had named as the ones behind the Haven Dark Warrior Program, were on this ship. And this woman associated with them? Her mannerisms now seem somewhat self-conscious, but he doesn't know if that's because of guilt or because of his focused scrutiny.]

Well, one cannot always be friends with everyone, even if all parties involved are trying. Sometimes personalities and history get in the way too much. Still, befriending four of the five is not bad.

[His tone is mild, casual, but he's still watching her. The key will be her reaction to that last sentence.]