I like Auru. I also believe he has the least canon of the group. In my mind, I like to think he knew Shad's father and is responsible for getting the boy to join the group, but that's another undeveloped idea. Also, this could definitely use a better title.

Accomplished

"Oh, dash it all! I can't make heads or tails of anything!" Shad spat, slamming his heavy book shut and shoving it across the table with enough force to bump it against the half-full mug at the opposite end.

Auru reached out to rescue his drink from the attack and gave his previously completely silent companion a bemused look. "Having trouble?" he asked pleasantly.

Shad groaned, taking off his glasses to bury his face in his hands. "I'm at a complete standstill," he muttered into his palms, "Every clue, every word in my father's notes, has just led me to a dead end." He crossed his arms on the table rested his chin on them forlornly. "All I have to show for my work are more questions."

The older man looked unconcerned. "You're not nearly your father's age, and he was still young when he died," he said, pausing to take a drink from his glass, "You'll find your answers. Just give it time."

"But that's exactly it," Shad replied, lifting his head, "With all my father did and all he left behind, I've done nothing." He closed his eyes. "I was so close; I know I was. When that statue moved, and the cavern with the Sky Cannon was revealed...I could feel it, just beyond my grasp," he sighed, "But I had to walk away, accomplishing nothing."

Auru scoffed and fixed him with a stern look. Shad's bout of self-loathing had made him inexplicably irritated. "I am old," he stated plainly, making the man across the table look up in confused surprise, "In all my years, I haven't done half the things I'd hoped to, and I certainly won't have done them all by the time I die. The best way not to accomplish anything is to think of all the ways to fail." He set his drink down with a 'thunk' and an air of finality. "Now get back out there and do something instead of moping in the back of a bar. You young ones are always the first to condemn yourselves."

Shad stared at the old man, blinking owlishly from the shock of being scolded for several seconds before he looked away. Then he put his glasses back on, picked up his book, and stood up from his chair. Perhaps one more look at those statues was in order.