Is This Awakening?

"Ahhh, we're here!" The driver shouted to the back, the wagon slowly rolled into a stop. There were sharp snorts as the horses shooked their manes, the condensated air puffed from their nostrils. The great stones of the portcullis stood elegant and strong in the snow with the magnificent castle painted in the background, just beyond the walls. Nova shifted over to the side of the wagon and peeked out from the rear of the cart. It was quite a sight to behold, for she had never seen such a grand palace this close. Of course, she could recall the earthen stone tower back home, the forgotten castle not far from where she lived that appeared more like a fortress. Alas, none compared to luminous glow she saw before her in the distance, as the sun broke through the clouds just a moment to give it that heavenly effect.

"I use to think places like this never existed or flourished." Nova softly spoke, the twinkle in her eyes grew bright and warm, "It's actually exhilarating! A living kingdom!" With a cheer, the young sellsword hopped off the wagon, the soles of her boots immediately felt the hard crunch of frost beneath. She wanted to take a quick look around, but more importantly to stretch out her legs. It had been awhile since their last stop and gods willing, won't have to endure another trip for some time. Nova twirled, grabbed the zweihander bounded in thick, worn leather and slung it upon her shoulder. An impressive feat, one would say, if they had not overlooked the fact that a young woman had the strength to carry such a massive burden. Nova glanced into the wagon once more and nodded with satisfaction - her knapsack, belt and sheathed sword nicely tucked away in the corner.

The young sellsword walked out to the open, adorned in a thick, fur coat and rough pants to match her wilderness attire. This usually isn't the case, but it was far too cold to wear skirts in this weather. Snowflakes continued to fall down and the wind had ceased its bitter chill. However, the white, powdery clouds did not seem to let up, for the overcast expanded far into the horizons, as if the world was caught in the bliss of eternal winter.

"And not a single bandit to fend off. Heh." Nova snickered a bit, her silvery gaze upon the road that traveled upon. Of course, just as she had shuffled around a bit from the wagon, the driver hopped down from her seat as well and waved over the guardsmen that manned the entrance, including the one the wandered into the scene.

"Ohey! Milk delivery! Open that gate!" The driver chirped with delight, her vibrant red tresses stood in stark contrast against the snow-laden fields. Vera was her name, a older woman who often made multiple deliveries to the town, all season long. It was good business and the townsfolk loved her produce, particularly among the adults. Vera told Nova that it was a specialty that only her cows could make, because they were happy cows. Naturally, Nova nodded with a smile, but not understand. That was the big conversation on the first day of traveling.

"You're not going to keep us waiting long, are you?"

Vera picked up on the blonde's teasing reply and offered him a smile. "Illegal? I suppose the way the cream flows 'ere in town, the courts could very well outlaw the sale of my milk." With a spring in her step, the redhead hopped off the front end of her caravan and landed with a satisfying crunch of the snow beneath her step. It had been a long ride from her ranch and much like Nova, Vera sighed in relief once she stood proper. "Between you and me - I think the folks behind your walls are absolutely mad, I tell you. People come to me all the time, asking for my next delivery and I'm the poor soul that has to tell 'em they hafta wait for a couple days til the ol' girls are happy and fed." The caravan driver tried her best impression of a woman who work themselves hard to the bone, but everyone knew she loved the business. What also betrayed her playful ruse was the smile still painted upon her lips as she briskly hopped over to the arch within the wall to get out of a sudden snow flurry that rose from the ground. "Gods, that's cold!"

Nova, who had been not far from the rear of the cart, took the full brunt of the powdery spell. So, she was rendered blind for a moment, stumbled in the snow until she plopped down into the frosty fields. Her cheeks had gone rosy from the chill in the air as she tried to regain her footing, her warm outfit now plastered with snow in every nook and cranny. Even the great-sword Nova had rested upon her shoulder left a enormous imprint in the white sheet on the ground before she swiped it back into her possession. "Coldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcold." she rambled with chattering teeth, trudging up to the nice spot away from the cold where the soldier and Vera stood.

"You okay, Nova?" Vera called out to the sellsword, "Sudden winds are unpredictable and nasty 'ere, especially this season." The redhead meandered over to the young lady with the huge leather-bounded sword and ushered her into the company of the blonde.

Nova gave them a smirk, despite the slight shiver of her entire being. "Nothing I can't handle, Vera. The fields of Hyrule must do better in order to keep this spirit dow-ACHOO!"

"Nova, is that you?"

As the young woman wiped away her sniffles, the blonde's question had caught her attention. Nova glanced up to the man with furrowed brows, the seemingly fresh velvet scar shown at the top of her left eyebrow. There was a fair amount of perplexity sculpted into her youthful expression as she readjusted the leather-bound zweihander into a more comfortable rested balance upon her shoulder. Nova had a strange feeling, as if a ghastly apparition had crept up on her and whispered something into her ear. However, the actual message was lost in the wind, yet the idea stuck to her. Why was there a sense of familiarity to this person? Unknowingly, the girl stared at the blonde's face for far too long before she finally spoke up. "Do I know you?" Her curiosity was piqued, still powdered by snowflakes. Vera popped into the conversation, bringing her coat closer by the lapels. "Ahh, you know her, Blondie?" She perked up, interested in the exchange despite the chilling conditions.

Nova broke her gaze away, the air of uncertainty still prevalent to herself. It was obvious the lass had trouble with her memory, but haven't the heart to mention it aloud. The months leading to this were turbulent, a struggle without any knowledge on how she reached these distant lands from home. Yes, that was one of the very few tidbits the girl could recall - Ikana Valley in the dead of what felt like eternal summer, the music box house that was her home. A string within her snapped as she looked back to the man. There was no way this seemingly random person knew her. Nova was a fairly common name in any place, so there was a chance he had mixed her with someone else. "...I think you have mistaken myself with another Nova. Forget I ask that question." Despite her sudden reticent, the stirring feeling within still resided in her.

The light-haired woman took a moment, listening to what the soldier had to say about her. Except, with every word that came out made the questions bubble within the young lady. She heard him speak of Termina as if he had been there, which was more of a surprise to Nova since not many knew or spoke of such distant lands. Her conflicted expression twisted into greater confusion. The lass had not a clue about this strange revelation, yet the man spoke with an air of certainty that drew more pressing thoughts. Just who was she?

"Josh..." Nova whispered, reaching out to his hand with hesitance. It was only for a swift second she glanced up to Josh once more. "You've been to Termina. That's where I'm from... But I don't remember. Sorry." There was sadness in her voice, one that Josh could only remember during the trials of the dream-scape they once shared together long ago. However, such memories were scattered to the wind, just like much of Nova's true identity. It was truly a conundrum, one that even made Vera baffled at the odd conversation between the lass and the blonde soldier.

"Nova, dear. You shouldn't try to remember too hard." Vera placed an arm around the girl as she looked back to Josh. "This is such a surprise. I didn't think there would be a soul alive to recognize Nova. It had been months since the shipwreck." The older woman tried her best to smile, but the facade cracked a bit, showing genuine concern for Nova as she shivered in her arms. It had grown colder than normal and with Nova's fall earlier, the gal was starting to become a bit hot upon the forehead. In fact, her face had grown considerably red as the chilling winds whipped across the snow-laden fields. "Think it's best to talk somewhere a bit warmth."

Nova had no words for Josh Dragonflame, but she nodded her head in agreement. Vera, on the other hand, smiled at two and clambered back unto her wagon. "Why don'cha take Nova in while I bring the wagon 'round the back. Not gettin' any warmth." She chuckled as the horses trudged onward. "Don't forget to save me a seat!" The swordswoman watched as the lady rounded the corner of the nearby building then looked to Josh.

"S-Shall we?" Nova stuttered a bit with chattering teeth, the frigid wind sank further into her bones. The sky above had grown heavy with thick gray clouds, the frost fell thicker than it had moments ago as the distant mountains had drawn blank by the sleet of snow. It wasn't no storm yet the lack of sight made it apparent the weather was here to stay. Luckily for Nova and Vera, they had arrived just ahead of it all. So Nova took a couple steps ahead of Josh, the ground beneath her boots met with a satisfying crunch. Perhaps she could learn more about this weirdness from the blonde man.

"I-I'm sorry..." Nova blurted out, "about n-not remembering s-stuff." She clutched at the lapels of her coat, unaware of the reason why she apologized. Was it to keep the silence between the two at bay or something more akin to sympathy? The lass had no clue and the cold weather made it difficult to grasp any thought on the subject. What if Josh was a friend from Termina? Is that even possible?

Why was she still thinking about this?

"I suppose you're right." Nova sighed as they entered the tavern. "Such a ordeal would cause this much confusion. Still I don't think you should be the one with the apology." The bar had welcomed them with a most comforting warmth. The fireplace crackled with short red timbers as the sparse patrons sat at their small tables. The barkeep waved over to the duo before he continued on with whatever the proprietor does at this establishment. The smell of food lingered in the air accompanied with the homely atmosphere gave great joy for Nova as she took to the nearest table.

"Ah, its good to get off your feet for a while." The young woman leaned her large leather-bound sword against the table beside her and immediately took a seat with a plop. She looked to Josh and tried to stifle a chuckle. The man appeared as though he was mere seconds from becoming a frozen treat. Of course, Nova was on the edge of being completely frozen as well were it not for the tavern being within a short walk. "Does it get this cold quickly?" She tried to drum up a conversation. Truthfully, Nova wasn't much for socialization but she dared not to sit idly by without a single word. The lass absolutely loathed the silence and how pertinent it was back home. She recalled the time when the house she lived in at the valley back in Termina was nothing but a frame. So her father had to ward off creatures in that dreadful silence because the place was simply put a valley of death.

Termina.

Her mind always seem to go back to that place. Nova wondered how her friends were doing without her company. She recalled a boy with dark raven hair, a blue-haired woman and the obvious blondie of the group. It was like a photo in her mind; able to see their outline with the blue bay at their back but their faces obscured in the shade. Could it be that Josh was that blonde person in her memory or was she trying to make a connection that probably wasn't there?