♠️

“…I see.” Lio’s eyes blink, slowly, as his brain processes the absolute deluge of words he’s had heaped upon him.       The first thought that springs to mind is that this person reminds him, just a bit, of Gueira. The second is that, for that reason and that reason alone, if the other members of Mad Burnish should ever show their faces, he should keep this person and his general firmly apart. After that, he considers more- like what the ‘6′ in his name is for, how easygoing he seems despite his apparent distaste… There’s a lot to unpack in the things he’s said as well as how to say them. Lio decides that picking it apart is best left for later.  “It must get tiring, being picked out like that,” he murmurs, more than a little irritated with himself. He, of all people, should know better than to draw attention to things like that. “Though it sounds like you either have experience with situations like this or… you’re very good at finding things out without making it seem as if that’s what you’re doing.” Either is a good thing, in a way, because it makes him a far more valuable acquaintance than Lio had been anticipating. “I didn’t have anything to really ‘take’ so I suppose I wouldn’t be privy to that,” he adds, looking aside thoughtfully. 

“What about you? What did you lose?” 

“You’d think so, huh? S’pose I’m just not used to being the strangest thing in the room. I’m pret-ty well-known where I come from and...well, Exos are pretty common, all things considered. We don’t get seen as much different than anyone else.” They only gave their physical bodies to science to become robot people who gradually lose their memories. No big deal.

“You kiddin’ me? I just asked around. I just kept askin’ if anyone had seen the Traveler around so I could go back and show everyone everything’s a-okay. Buuuut, no dice.” He couldn’t imagine a place where the Traveler was a total unknown. How did people not know about it? There were wars fought over its power and presence. Now he’s come here...where not a soul knows about it.

He couldn’t tell if it was better or worse.

“Must be nice.” Not having anything to take meant that they didn’t have to scramble. “My gun, mostly. And my partner. Goes by Sundance. ‘bout yay-big.” He held his hands out about six inches apart. “Pretty talkative when she wants to be and has a red and white shell. ...Don’t s’pose you’ve seen her, have ya?” 

@cagedhunter​

Despite no longer having his main weapon, Waka discovered that, at least one of his abilities remained intact. He was quick to put it to use as he moved through the streets of his new home, hovering just enough from the ground that he was able to float, and at times smoothly glide along. He found this method of travel to be more fun, though he could easily walk using his geta, much to the surprise of many mortals back in Nippon.

When he reached what he assumed was the building that would accommodate him, Waka lept into the air, easily soaring to the roof where he landed with grace. He could have just went through the front door like a regular person, but the prophet was in no hurry to get to his living quarters. Instead he would rest atop this building, taking in the sights below as well as in the distance.

There was just something that felt right being up high.

Before he could truly settle, he heard a noise coming from behind him. Turning around slowly, Waka reached into his sleeve to take hold of Pillow Talk, even though the recorder would do him no good here. Still, it brought him peace of mind, which is what he would need before too long.

“Bonjour~ Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked, a slight mile on his lips as his tone and demeanor remained one of perfect calm.

Vantage points were always a cold comfort. They offered a view from above that gave a good general layout of the land. Usually, you could see what everyone was doing. Especially if you had some kind of scope, whether it be a sniper rifle or some other weapon...or just a good old fashioned looking glass.

He didn’t have either of those things. Just his eyes.

Regardless, it was usually secluded up there and he didn’t mind being alone so much. Even though it left him alone with his thoughts...and that was the last place he wanted to be right now. Usually Sundance was there to fill the silence when he wanted to talk to someone or just distract himself. But she was gone. But if what he’d heard was true...then he might be able to get her back.

That’d be one less Light snuffed out on his conscience.

When he got up onto the rooftop, he blinked when he saw a figure clad in some strange clothes. Not that he could talk. All of him was strange to most people here if his former interactions were anything to go off of. He had to admit...being here was lonely as all hell. He missed bickering with Zavala, poking the bear so to speak. He missed Ikora. He missed Sundance, Banshee, Amanda.

You really don’t think about who you’re gonna miss till you’re gone. And you’re left thinking...do they miss you too?

  With a bit of dedication and elbow grease, she had managed to scrape together a new crossbow, albeit one that could only be called rudimentary at best. Though she reinforced its structural integrity to the best of her ability, the supplies she had been able to afford simply did not suffice for the amount of power she hoped to imbue, but without any more funds nor anything of value to trade, she had no choice but to use it as a temporary solution to her destitution.

Stood in the center of a grove, her eye trained down the scope of her new crossbow to focus on the center of a nearby tree. Taking a breath, she lets loose a bolt, reloads, pivots, then sends a bolt into the center of the adjacent tree. On down the line of trees she went until she honed in on the last one and was forced to stop, for someone–something?–had stepped between her and her target.

She lowers the bow slightly but keeps it at the ready, eyes narrowing at the figure. She could not claim to know what exactly she was looking at, but such a fact applied to many other things in this country; the shock value began to wear off.

“ You’re in the way of my shot. ” / @cagedhunter​

It wasn’t often that he saw people sharpening their skills. Trying to better themselves in this city. Admittedly, it was rather rare for him to do it either. Even before he’d been brought here. Being stuck at the Tower with little to do but sit around and argue with Zavala and shoot the shit with his fellow Guardians. If he had the ability to go out and do what he wanted? He’d be active damn near every day.

But that wasn’t the case here. He wasn’t particularly worried about the woman shooting him. She was going into some kinda trance like state and the moment she started firing, he slunk forward. His cloak billowed out behind him as he darted forward, hopping into the air...his feet pushing off the ground once...twice...and then a front flip. He landed in front of her just as she was about to take that last shot.

“Hi there. Couldn’t help but notice your sweet moves.” He half expected her to put a bolt in him just on principle...and he was glad she didn’t. He didn’t have Sundance around to patch him up and put him back together again. “I like you already. You didn’t call me ‘robot’ or say something about my appearance the moment you saw me.” He did see that moment of surprise though. The shock of seeing someone made of metal. “I think we could be pals.” 

Nobody wanted to be his pal.

@cagedhunter​

technology was an invaluable part of Burning Rescue and their operations, which absolutely included what most people would dub robots. Galo may not have understood everything that went into making one or exactly how it all worked, but he knew that Lucia worked hard and he knew that half of their rescues would be impossible without reinforced suits and vehicles. if anything, he appreciated the aesthetics of it all, which is what mattered in his book.

so, as he circled the stranger in front of him, ooh-ing and aah-ing, he held nothing but the utmost respect…even if his behavior could be considered rude.

“Dang–! What kind of tech is that? It’s so unique! Your mechanic must be super cool!”

“Mechanic?”

He supposed he had a mechanic at one time. Sundance had been as close to a mechanic as one could be. But a Ghost was more like a lifeline than a mechanic. They knew you, inside and out. And with that knowledge, they could reform you in seconds and have you good as new. She was gone now. The people who brought him here didn’t even have the decency to bring her back to him...even though it was clear they had that kind of power.

God, he missed her.

@cagedhunter​

      “A machine…?” For a moment, Lio is reminded of the Matoi, for some reason, though the other… person’s(?) colors don’t match it in the slightest. Lio doesn’t realize he’s spoken aloud until two bright, glowing eyes swivel in his direction, at which point he starts slightly before frowning- to himself, mostly- and then turning to face the other properly. 

“Who are you?” He asks, a hand on his hip and the other gesturing at the world around them. “Did you- have you been here long enough to figure out anything worth knowing about this place?”

“One of these days I like to think I’ll become a household name here. That way people will stop gawkin’ at me and sayin’ stuff like “sci-fi” or “robot”. And they can just call me by my name.”

It wasn’t like he was actually annoyed by it. Granted, back home, Exos were pretty commonplace among guardians. So none of them gawked at him or gave him a second look. Not for his metal casing, anyway. Mostly just because he was renowned. And dashing. Mostly dashing.

“Cayde-6. Most call me Cayde. And friend...I don’t think there’s many people that know much about nothin’ here. Pretty sure most of the big wigs up top would rather intentionally keep us in the dark. After all, if we became wise to their ways, I doubt most of us would stick around for very long. Am I right or am I right?”

cagedhunter

❝.. Sci-fi..❞

To say that Ichigo was unaccustomed to meeting unique individuals would have been a lie. But even this was outside of the norm of what he usually dealt with. This was like.. running into someone from a video game he played one time. Or a movie. They looked so.. futuristic. And.. Sci-fi!

“...Sci-fi. You see a robot and those’re your first words? Real tactful, kid.”

He’d met some people in his day but that was by far the strangest greeting he’d ever received. Admittedly it was a first for him. People were familiar with Exos where he came from so seeing one wasn’t a big deal. And him? He was a big enough deal that nobody batted an eyelash when they saw him. Unless their heart was all aflutter...in which case, who could blame ‘em?

      “Well that is certainly one way to view them. But to a fox like myself, they’re far from a weakness. Many are distracted by their beauty, and with nine of them, I am something a bit more special than just a simple fox. I can appreciate a man who seems to understand that.” Ahri offered up a smirk. She was old, very old, and she could sense that this man’s knowledge of style and fun was not an empty promise. “But even though I love and care for my tails, they were not really a choice.” Displaying them could be, of course, and she often displayed them with pride, but she didn’t choose to have them. “What choices did you make with your own style, hm? And how come?”

“Do tell! I’d think at close quarters they’d be a liability. Trust me, I know how that is.” He muttered, brushing his arm behind him to bring his cloak up briefly before letting it fall behind him once more. “‘cept cloaks gettin’ tugged on doesn’t hurt. Considering I’ve never had a tail, I wouldn’t know the feeling.” Not that he had any desire for a tail. Hers though? Well-groomed. Stylish. He could dig ‘em! And there were so many! “Well, I’d say that anything’s a choice if you’re desperate or determined enough. But I can see how cutting off a piece of your own body isn’t exactly in your own best interest.”

     “Well you’re certainly a bold one, but your strategies need a… lot of refining.” Robin offers a hearty laugh, before pulling some bound parchment from the book bag she’d recently acquired from a local leather-worker. Fetching an ink pen too from the depths of the bag, she sketched out a sample schematic of the plan for war which Cayde-6 had been describing.

     “Take a look. If you act as you did, we have many weak points, we create a major scene, and we risk having the powers and weapons we were allowed to keep being sealed away too. And we run the risk of causalities.” A snow white eyebrow arched up as she spoke. “The better plan is to play by their rules. Learn them. Only if we understand the system can we find points of weakness to exploit. If we tip our hand early with a commotion, they are a lot less likely to let us roam free.”

“Boldness. Definitely what I strive for. Totally!” He did strive to do things that stood out, certainly. That much he could not deny. But as the woman unfurled some...paper?! He knew he was about to get some Ikora-level Warlock-splaining done in his general direction. So much so that he couldn’t help but let out a quiet, “Oh boy.”

Cayde could almost feel his eyes dimming from the explanation that followed. “I mean. I ain’t got much in the way of weapons or powers right now. So I’m not missin’ much in that regard. Are you implying that making a scene is bad? I don’t see how that’s bad. Ever! I love making a scene.” It was true. Painfully true. “Eh, I’ve never been one that’s good at playing by the rules.” A brief pause as she said that they’d be less likely to let us roam free. “Huh.”

“Just the one, then?” Imagine having a single god-figure. A single being to accomplish everything the Twelve represent, and then some (but really, in the end, wasn’t that Hydaelyn, in all her primal glory?). Thancred’s guard doesn’t slip (an impossibility in a place like this) but his shoulders do fall and he almost seems to react.

“Ours don’t usually stay as a ball for very long,” he muses, briefly considering how much easier it would be to slay a primal if it never shaped itself into anything capable of manipulation aether. “Except perhaps Ozma, yet that is temporary at best.”

“Oh, no. There are definitely other Gods but, trust me. You don’t wanna get mixed up with them. A Guardian I knew slew one. Pretty impressive. Called himself Xol, Will of the Thousands. Hive God, giant serpent. Kind of a pushover, really.” He gave a nonchalant shrug. The Hive were an annoying lot and he certainly wasn’t a pushover. Not as much as Cayde let on, at least. He had a tendency to...embellish in places.

“Alright! Here’s the plan! We catch one of the creepy crawly things that come around at night, tame it, and ride it into battle. Then we use that one to befriend more of them until we’ve got an army of ‘em! Then. And here’s the best part. Then! We rush whoever’s keeping all our stuff hidden and our abilities under lock and key...and we kill ‘em!”

“Hey there! How’s it hangin’? Don’t suppose you know where I could talk to a guy about a gun? Could use a good gunsmith about now if only...so I can apply some kind of lethal force to this confetti cannon. Sounds like a blast right? No pun intended.”

Cryptarch?

He’s more used to this than he would care to admit, hearing unfamiliar terms and having to puzzle them out to find anything remotely similar within his own experiences. For the most part, it was easy enough, and then there were figures like this one that reminded him far too much of magitek for his own comfort and there’s an instinctual urge twitching at his finger tips to reach for his gunblade or his knives or something (or anything, really, given the poor mockery of an imitation of his weapon he had found in his care).

“Could you be a little more specific than ‘giant floating god ball’?”

@cagedhunter​

Already he was disappointed. It was clear the guy wasn’t a Guardian. Probably should’ve guessed since he was showing way too much bare head to be considered one. And while he looked capable...he wasn’t going to say he looked that capable. To be fair, a lot of Guardians probably had a few centuries of experience on him so...wasn’t his fault.

at this point,   sypha can hardly be surprised when new recruits enter and desperately seek information   —   the only surprise comes from the appearance,   merely unused to the variety of characters that seem to make their way here.

❝   let me guess   —   you’re new here   ?   ❞   she can’t help the laugh that escapes,   reminiscent of how fervent she is to find her own exit.   lately she’s mellowed,   though only from completely lacking in information.   ❝   i know nothing of this white ball,   but if it is something of your world,   you won’t find it here.   ❞

a hand raises to gesture to a faraway block.   ❝   if you want a job to buy a weapon,   that would be in the markets.   or if you knew of someone.   what job are you looking for   ?   ❞

“Y’know...I was afraid you’d say that.”

He knew the woman in front of him was dependable. He’d been alive long enough to know dependable when he saw it and her? Dependable. But the moment he found himself here...feeling hollow and cold. He knew.

“Guess I’m not in Kansas anymore.” He let out a sigh, shoulders sagged a bit. He missed Sundance already. She’d know what to do. Or would at least be able to help him gather his thoughts enough for him to formulate what to do. She was good about that. Bouncing ideas back and forth until one of them came up with a solution.

“Everything’s fine. It’s fine. Sundance is still dead but somehow you’re still alive but everything’s. Fine. The only thing that can give you your powers and keep you alive is gone. It’s fine!” Literally the only person he could depend on that could possibly have been here wasn’t here to help him out when he needed her most and it’s all his fault.

Nothing was fine. 

He let them kill her. His poor little Ghost. She didn’t even see it coming. Hell...he didn’t even see it coming. He couldn’t even remember her last words to him. He’d told her to help him out and she appeared in a flash of radiant light...like she always did. A happy little blink of her little optic up to him.

Then she exploded...and he felt hollow. Empty.

He still felt that way. 

“Aw Sundance...” He didn’t think he’d ever be this broken up about it. But he was attached to her. It wasn’t like she was tethered to his very essence or anything. (She was.)

He let someone else he cared about die. And this time it was someone who was about as close as close could be to him.