"Very true", Praxius says loudly to the oldest soldier with a smile on being challenged.

"And as soon as I have papers I will surely present them to you. Currently I have the honor....rary title on account of besting Dagoro in the sumo at the Centennial Ballad", he says proudly.

"Knight Feld will vouch for me however", he adds with surety.

"So to answer your question, traveller, yes we were at the festival and aided in the defence of the city during the attack. Did you watch the sumo? It was a grand contest. And my friends won other competitions as well", he finishes by gently slapping the backs of Theo and Paca.

Paca speaks up and adds "Why yes, I competed in a musical competition where I played a wonderfully masterful ballad to win the prize." Paca then sighs and says "But then, sadly like my friend has said, an all out attack was made on the city and unfortunate circumstances have come upon the royal family. We have set forth to find answers. If you don't trust us we will happily be on our way and apologize for disturbing your camp."

Theo shrugs. “All I did was eat some pie quickly. I was starving!” He chuckles at his joke. “Yes, we were at the festival. We’re traveling together now. It’s been calm lately, but we don’t know what could be out there. Are there any dangers we should be aware of in this area?”

The Spiky haired stranger does seem to recognize you, however upon mentioning the sumo contest his demeanor shifts into one of regret. "Unfortunately I was not present for that contest, I arrived shortly before the attack began. Congratulations? I guess for winning your competitions." The young hylian seems uncaring about your tales of victory during the Ballad. 

The older Soldier however is more than impressed, "Ya dont say? We've two of the five contest champions in our midst, We cant take you at your word lad and to contact the Knight would take a few days itself. We can offer you information but you best be on your way afterwards." Still mistrusting of you, the Soldier waves off his companions. Their weapons lower but they do not disarm, still ready for a fight at a moments notice. 

"Bandits are the least of your worries if your travelin north, We've run into more than our fair share of Moblins in the last few days. By hylia we even witnessed a Hinox wanderin the plains, If your goin that way. I would advise caution, a Hinox is no foe to be taken lightly. The road should be clear as far the orchard, I'd stay to the beaten path if I was you. Monsters tend to stay away from the road, you may run into a Bandit or two but they shouldnt bother ya." 

"My thanks for the information", Praxius says to the old soldier. "We understand your position. It is a shame though, that food smells delicious", he adds looking a tad glum.

He turns to the spikey haired stranger.

"You were in the city during the attack? So you are heading away from the city now, not back towards it?", he asks, trying to figure out if the stranger is all he seems.

Insight: 1+1=2 (Passive: 11)

Paca addresses the spiky haired individual. "There is something quite familiar about you. Your armor? No. Your hair! Why is that so familiar to me? Have we met before?"

Theo nods to the old soldier as he speaks, but stares in shock at the mention of a Hinox. “A Hinox? I haven’t heard about those in a very long time! Thanks for the warning, we’ll stick to the main road.”

The Stranger lingers on Paca for a few moments. "Uh....sorry friend, I dont know many of your kind. We may have met in passing at some point." The older soldier lets out a hearty laugh at the mention of the strangers hairstyle. 

"We said as much, with hair like that it'd be hard to mistake the lad!" 

"Yeah.....Anyway, you bunch said you were heading north? If its not too much of a bother I could join you for a small portion of your journey, Im heading that way myself." He takes two steps closer to your group, watching each of you to get a sense of you as a individual. Lingering his gaze on Rae, As the Zora dismisses him while patiently waiting for the conversation to end so she may continue her journey. 

"Ah forgive me, My name is Cloud Strife. And I must confess, Im not familiar with these lands." 

Paca looks over Cloud with intrigue. "And what exactly are you headed north for? You also seem the type who can handle themselves, what interest do you have in joining our group? Sorry to pry its just, i've recently learned people should not so easily be trusted." Paca will await a response and roll insight as Cloud answers.

Inisght: 16

Cloud, is a very stoic individual. His facial features rarely if ever move and when they do, it is only in the slightest. "That buisness is my own, I do not pry into yours." His response is blunt and a little combative, however he seems to mean no ill-intent. Grasping the hilt of what you assume to be a blade, more akin to a large chunk of iron with a handle on one end. He Slings it over his shoulder with rather impressive ease, the single edge blade is nearly as tall as Praxius. So this feat turns more than a few heads, most of them scoff and mutter under their breath. "Coulda done that when I was young too." 

"I mean only to share the same path, as I said I am traveling in that direction." He whistles and both dogs come running up to his side, waiting his command. "We can travel as temporary companions for a stretch or as passing travelers, it makes no difference to me." 

Praxius takes a good look at Cloud Strife, especially at his eyes, turning away before the pointy haired Hylian spots him.

”It’s no problem”, he says loudly. “Of course you can travel with us. And of course your business is your own, just like ours. With a Hinox on the loose, best stick to together”, he says a little quieter now he has broken the tension.

”I don’t suppose any of that food is coming with you?”, he adds hopefully.

Theo nods his head. “Good to meet you Cloud. It would be great to travel with you.” Theo reaches his hand up to shake Cloud’s.

Seeing the giant sword, Theo smiles. “Well, looks like I’m not the only one who deals with big weapons,” he laughs and pat his Bad News, which is slung on his back and is bigger than he is.

"Very well then, the others seem to trust you so I will as well. Let me ask you Cloud, do you like music? I can play a tune for you while we travel if you'd like. Something about you is inspiring me to create a new song, let me give it a go." Paca pulls out his pan flute and begins to play Clouds theme as they begin to travel on.

Cloud's stern demeanor is seemingly unfazed by the soft melodies put forth by the skilled bard, However the soldiers still enjoying their breakfast all turn to listen. Most of them dropping their food to enjoy the tune, one even begins to tear up at the meloncholy melody. "Beautiful...." this particular soldier whispers in a hushed voice, not wanting to disturb the Kokiri. Who had just invented a new song on the spot for a new companion. 

Cloud actually grab's a large haunch of the cooked meat, All the Soldiers pay no heed as it seems the food was indeed provided by Cloud. "Here" He tosses the haunch to you Praxius, you catch it and marvel in the delicious prepared food before you. It is enough to fill your belly, or give the four of you a decent breakfast. The choice is yours. 

"Cait, Red. Come one boys." Cloud signals to his canine companions, the dogs rush pass as Cloud joins you. Nodding your Goodbyes, the Soldiers wish you Fair winds and you leave the encampment. Heading back out onto the trail, Cloud stays close to the head of the group along with Rae. Who seems more than a little irritated that someone else is in the lead with her, however the Zora does not voice any concerns but does look back at Praxius and the large piece of meat he has clutched in his hand. 

Praxius beams at Cloud as he throws him the haunch.

"Wow, thanks", he says. He makes to bite directly into it but he sees the other's in his peripheral vision watching him. He looks from the meat to his companions and back again.

"More than enough to share", he says a little disappointedly as he makes to portion it up using a knife from his mess kit. If that does not work, he will simply ask one of the others to hold the meat as he draws his Great Sword. Unless someone offers a better way, he intends to use it to slice through into portions for them all.

Praxius, 

You hand off the haunch to Rae, the Zora while hungry has spent little time really paying attention to what is going on with the meat as her attention is on the path before you. So she shoots you a questioning glance 'Praxius? What are yo-......WAIT" The normaly soft spoken Zora exclaims loudly as you unsheath your greatsword and hold it practically right in front of her face. 

Paca, Lizi buzzes on your shoulder. Her soft wings violently fluttering as she warns you not of danger, but of a familiar presence drawing closer. Just as the edge of Praxius' blade connects with the meat, you all hear the very familiar fluttering of a Fairy's wings....however it's source is not from the much smaller Lizi. Cloud immediately palms the handle of his weapon as the familiar Quiggley comes into view. The Fairy is out of breath and huffing for air as he races 30 feet above the ground, heading in your direction. 

Red and Cait, the hounds belonging to your new companion immediately start barking and growling. Something falls from Quiggleys arms, the fairy circles back to pick it up before finally landing within the four of you. He is GULPING air, and carrying what looks like a well prepared breakfast that he had cooked before catching up with you.

Praxius' great sword begins the sweep down to slice the meat but as Rae shouts wait and the appearance of Quiggley and the barking of the hounds, he steps back, slicing air.

"Quiggley, you're back!", he says jovially.

"Where did you go?", he adds with a little frown.

"For... Breakfast.", Quiggley replies out of breath. "No. I remembered an odd detail and needed to check it immediately. It's not often that I remember things, but the language the shade spoke sparked a memory. Unfortunately they were not home. So where we headed! Whose your friend?", Quiggley will say jovially and ask about Cloud.

"Hey Quiggley!" Paca says with a cheerful smile. "This here is Cloud Strife. He is headed the same direction we are and with large beasts perhaps lurking the lands, we decided to travel together. Glad you caught up with us, it is good to see you."

“Hello again,” Theo says smiling towards Quiggley. “We haven’t had much trouble on the road yet, but some soldiers we passed by earlier warned us of dangers, including a possible Hinox.”