"Sisters and brothers of the Fifth Fleet, it's time. I'll keep my farewell brief- never was much with words. Once you board this ship, there is no turning back. The next ground your feet will touch will be that of the New World. If any of you have lost your nerve, then step away now and let no one judge you... Very well. Then sail safe and strong, and may the Sapphire Star light your way."

Those were the last words spoken to the members of the Fifth Fleet before sending them to the New World. And it seemed like it had been a lifetime since Lillian and her Palico, Kimi, arrived in Astera.

One late night, Lillian couldn't sleep, so she found her way to the roost above the smithy and looked out over the landscape- the ancient trees swaying in the breeze, the gentle waves lapping at the shores. As she watched the stars twinkle in the sky above, Lillian thought back on her first day ashore the New World. So much had happened that day, from their ship being briefly marooned by Zorah Magdaros to getting lost in the Ancient Forest to her and her handler-Sarah- nearly getting eaten by a Great Jagras and an Anjanath to meeting the Field Team Leader, James. When her thoughts turned to James, she had to smile.

James was a hunter, born and raised in the New World who just happened to be the grandson of the Commander, Edgar. He had gone looking for her and Sarah after they got separated from the rest of the Fifth Fleet, saved them from their first monster encounter on New World soil, and showed them around once they safely reached Astera. He took the time to introduce them to everyone, accompanied Lillian on her first mission quest, and gave her advice about the new monsters whenever she needed it. He even offered to help her train if she ever needed it. He had become a good friend to her.

Down below in the tradeyard, James was returning from a late night patrol and happened to glance up to see turquoise hair gleaming in the torch light. Smiling, he made his way up to the roost. Seeing her lost in thought was a rare thing, even rarer was seeing her out of her armor. Her pointed ears stuck out from under her hair as it hung just at her shoulders in small waves, swaying ever so slightly in the breeze just as the knee length, light mint green nightgown she wore did. His smile grew when he saw her dainty feet bare against the wooden floor, a golden anklet on each foot.

"Can't sleep?"

Lillian jumped a bit and turned to find an amused James leaning against one of the support posts, arms crossed. "Jerk." She stuck her tongue out playfully. Noticing he was still in full armor, she asked, "You just get back?"

James nodded, coming to stand next to her. "Yeah, it was a quiet patrol. Nothing interesting happened."

"That's good, though, right? I mean that Anjanath is gone now, so it's bound to be quiet in the forest for now."

"True, thanks to you." James looked out over the landscape. "You really like this spot, don't you?" he asked, seeing her up in the roost quite often. "I can see why." The thick, ancient trees, the beach, the clear, open sky above the sea... "It's beautiful."

Lillian smiled and nodded. "I like to come here to think. No one ever really comes up here; I don't think most people realize it's here." She breathed in the fresh air, sighing in content. "It's so quiet, so peaceful up here. And the sunrise from here is just stunningly beautiful."

"I can't say that I've seen it from here."

"Would you like to stay and wait for it with me? It'll be a few hours, but it's worth it, I promise."

James looked at her and smiled. "Sure, just let me go wash up first and I'll meet you back up here."

Lillian smiled and nodded, watching as he hurried off towards the living area and when he disappeared down the stairs, she turned attention back to the horizon to wait. And she didn't have to wait too long.

Down in his room, James changed out of his armor and washed off the sweat, dirt, and grime from the day before changing into a fresh, clean pair of pants and shirt. Finding he was rather excited to wait to watch the sun rise with Lillian, he hurried back to the roost and found her still waiting for him. And just as before, she seemed so lost in thought that she didn't hear him come into the roost.

Smirking, he crept up quietly behind her and reached forward, grabbing her around the waist- earning himself a surprised squeal from Lillian.

"You jerk!" Lillian giggled, trying to wriggle free from his grasp. "Stop scaring me like that!"

James chuckled. "It's too easy when you're not paying attention. If I were a monster, you'd be a very lovely mid night snack."

"I was thinking, for one thing, and for another? I wouldn't make a very filling meal."

James' smile grew and he looked down at her. "True, but you'd be tasty nonetheless."

Lillian made to retort with something clever, but a flock of mernos flew overheard and she smiled. "Look, James, their scales are so pretty in the moonlight."

James looked at the wingdrakes, seeing their scales shining like blue beryl. "Wow, you're right." He stood there with Lillian, watching as the flock flew by with a hand still on her hip.

"So what were you thinking about?" he asked after the flock disappeared.

"Hmm?" Lillian looked up at him.

"You were so lost in thought you didn't hear me sneak up on you." James looked down at her, chuckling. "What's got your attention?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about how we were going to handle Zorah Magdaros. We still don't have a lot of information about it, let alone any idea of how to deal with it. I'm just wondering where we should look next for clues as to what brought it here and how we can take care of it."

"I see. Well, if I know my grandfather, we'll be seeing clues here pretty soon. Things are a little too quiet around here for my liking."

"Like the calm before a storm."

"Exactly."

"Well, we just have to bide our time for the moment I suppose."

James looked at her, seeing something more than just that. "What else is on your mind?"

"Nothing really, just day to day stuff."

"We still have an hour or two before sun rise."

"Are you sure? It's really nothing all that important."

"It's got your attention, so it's probably more important than you think." James replied, his smile growing.

"Alright." Lillian smiled and started talking with him about everything on her mind.

James listened as she confided in him, offering his advice when needed, and before long, sun rise was upon them. "By the Sapphire Star..!"

Lillian looked to the horizon, then back at James- smiling when she saw his reaction. She turned her attention back to the horizon, saying, "I told you, didn't I?"

"That you did." James glanced down at her, smiling when he noticed how at peace she looked. Then realizing how cute she looked with her turquoise hair taking on a more cerulean blue tint and her brilliant yellow eyes gleaming in the light of the coral pink, wine purple, and honey gold colored sunrise, he blushed.

Lillian looked over at him, smiling. "So, worth it like I said?"

James chuckled and nodded. 'Anything is worth it for you, Lily.' he thought to himself as they looked back out over the landscape, enjoying the view.