Searching, Perhaps in Vain

[-Akio Fairchild]

She had hoped he would have returned, but no matter how much she searched and how many people she questioned, Isamu still eluded her. Apparently, no one had heard of him, or, if they had, they had no clue where he had disappeared to.

It was as if he had existed for but a few months, then vanished, perhaps becoming a new man entirely...

Sweat dripped from her brow as she debated against herself. It was times like this, when all hope seemed lost, that she wished to smoke the most... But Isamu... He was the exact reason why she couldn't. He was the one who had given her a purpose... If she ever quit, he had told her, then Samantha was more than welcome to join him on the open seas.

But the half-Elf didn't want any junkies on his ship.

He was smart. He knew what would happen to the loot, should someone be in a dire need of a fix... He would be left light-pocketed... And this was something he would not have. Not to mention that junkies were a desperate lot. It was Isamu's thought that Pirates should not harm their marks, only rob them blind.

Anything else, he said, would be foolish.

If people got hurt, there was always someone to seek revenge. There was always someone who would want to avenge the death of their friend, lover, family or partners. For this reason, Samantha had cleaned up her act... Or, at least, she had tried.

Since quitting, her mind had become foggy, and she felt unable to focus. She wasn't even able to walk the streets without becoming nausous. At these times, even though she had plans for her future, she could not stay away from the dens. They calmed her nerves, relaxing her in a way that she could not manage otherwise...

It felt... right.

But for now, she would abstain... She knew she was stronger than this... She just wasn't sure by how much.

[-Akio Fairchild]

Her thoughts turned to Isamu, and she suddenly realized how little she knew of the man... Sure, he had been a business partner for nearly two years, but at the same time, he was only that. Isamu had no interest in staying in Orion, and his mannerisms showed it.

He attempted to stay distant from all he knew there.

Of course, he had developed a bond with Samantha, whether he would admit it or not. At the time, this connection had confused Samantha as well, but over time, the reason behind it all became clear.

Samantha had completed part of her quest, in that, she found out the fate of her son, a matter which had consumed her for several years before succumbing to depression and addiction. He was searching for someone as well, but the target he sought... it surprised the Elven woman.

Akio was looking for Isamu as well. His reason? To assure himself that his son was safe.

Samantha was taken aback, to be sure, but at the same time, she was cautious. Akio was incredibly unclear about his motives to track down Isamu, and Samantha found herself prying further. Of course, her concern, that Isamu had been responsible for her grandson's death, were dismissed the moment that Akio revealed the secret of Samantha's bond to the Half-Elf.

Isamu... Was her grandson.