"And why does it matter what you are? I'm a Muran, Nymira is a Dimuran, Amuné is Ydran, we're all different Cecil. Heck Wyth isn't even a person, he's a moorcat! And we all get along well enough, there's no reason you're any different," Ethan argued in turn, refusing to be deterred so easily, "And since when don't I like you? I don't think I ever said that. I don't think I ever said once I don't like anyone here." Even with the recent hiccups he couldn't say he disliked anyone, everyone made mistakes and it wasn't fair to judge someone solely on those. The majority of what he'd seen of Cecil was a good person. Confused maybe, but good, he was proud to be traveling with such a person. 

Ethan's smile weakened slightly when Cecil mentioned his purpose, casting his eyes downward for a second before shaking his head. "What if your purpose isn't to kill though? What if it's just to protect people? Like stories of Magi, fighting to save everyone and defeating evil. You had an accident, that's all. I think you were made to protect someone and you've been doing an amazing job at that so far! I mean you've saved us twice so far, and who knows how many people we've saved by fighting those things earlier. You're a hero already Cecil, and the fact you're a Machina doesn't change that."

Despite all of his attempts to cheer Cecil up it appeared that the Machina was still dead set on leaving them. All things considered their time together had been positive and they had a lot of exploring still to do, not to mention answers to find. If Cecil did leave now he may never find what he was after, or even worse he could end up hurt for it. The way that Cecil talked about himself was downright painful to listen to, he didn't value himself at all. Sure he may not know what it was like to be a Machina, to have been built like that, but he was still alive. So what if he didn't breathe? Or eat like they did? Who said all life had to be exactly the same?

"You're wrong Cecil, I'm sorry but you're wrong," Ethan said, smiling as he approached his friend, "I don't know a lot about machines, but I doubt anyone can program emotions. You act like you're alive, and I doubt any machine can ever do that. Maybe you were built a certain way, or made to behave a certain way, but you're more of a person than some of the bandits we've fought, and some of the folks I've met traveling. You're more Muran than some people even in my own town!" He absolutely refused to let Cecil go on thinking this way, it hurt way too much to believe such a thing. "Do you think when we get hurt it doesn't cost money? Because it does, so you're no different from us there. Or food? We have to eat, you don't, so we cost more money than you do already. Besides moneys never a problem, we'll always find a way to get by, that's never going to be a reason to leave you, or anyone."

Ethan had gotten so engrossed in his debate he'd forgotten he was slightly intoxicated, getting a reminder as he tried to approach Cecil and stumbled forward, having to catch himself on his friends shoulder and giving him an apologetic smile. "Heh... And you know what? I doubt you'll forget everything. You seem to remember how you started this whole adventure right? And we'll always be making new memories, and we've got a lot of things to still do and see. I know Amuné's scared right now but we just need to talk to her, she'll remember you're a good person. Then we can go and travel together again, just like we have been. I know you'd rather be with us than alone, and we want you with us too."

Nymira didn't completely know why she had revealed that to Zander of all people. It hadn't exactly been bothering her either, she accepted death as an inevitability of her work, a necessary risk. Yet even as she reminded herself of that she noticed her fingers tighten uncomfortably around the handle of the mug, pulling her mouth into a hard line before taking the final few sips of her ale. That's right, it was expected. People died for her, for the clan, for the future that her people were seeking. Just like some of the people around her now may well die she had to accept that as a fact and a possibility. Becoming sentimental and allowing herself to be trapped in the past would mean she could never move forward. There was no time for mourning, only progress.

"I wouldn't say I'm free from scorn, far from it really. Just because we are one clan does not mean we are of one mind, or one will," Nymira pointed out as she took pause from her meal. Folding her hands together on the table she sighed, glancing at seemingly nothing off to the side before refocusing her gaze on Zander. "My father sees the chance to find allies out here and to grow our clan stronger for it, and I agree with his vision. It's the only way for our people not to fall behind, especially seeing some of the things out here. I've never encountered a Machina before really, and I hear there are all kinds of incredible machines in the larger cities. We'd be fools not to try and befriend some of these people, especially if other clans might try the same thing. We can't afford not to try."

"And yet... There are some within our clan that resent the idea. That we should require help from anyone other than our own kin is foolish and somehow a betrayal of who we are. Ralthor demands honor from us, and some argue that by associating with other people we lose that honor. I believe it's more honorable to be able to seek help though, however reluctant we might be. These... Leaders, clan elders and warriors, they act like children, throwing fits and growing angry over change. If our clan wants to fade into obscurity then we can follow their lead and enjoy our existence coming to an end. Or we can follow my father's ideal and work towards strengthening ourselves."

"I suppose that's two stories from me, but spare me another, I don't care for what you have to say," Nymira added in as she fetched her utensils again, "I don't know why of all people I've shared that part of my life with you, a perverted, lying healer. Consider it a form of trust I suppose, you must know those you travel and with fight in order to succeed. That being said, tell anyone what I've told you and I will leave you bedridden for a week, understand me?"