Destober: Day 2, Vanguard
"Thera! May I speak to you a moment?" Ikora called out after spotting the young wolf walking across the bazaar.
"Of course," Thera, who had previously been on her was to the Drifter to collect gambit bounties, replied, then walked over to the warlock vanguard. "What is it that you need?" She spoke professionally, most likely guessing this was an assignment she was about to go on.
"You've been working a lot lately Thera and well... I worry for you. I believe you need a break from the fighting for a few hours. So, I'd like to request that you join Zavala and I to a walk in the City where we'll be checking on the citizens and such." Then she added with a smile, "And, as an addition to this invitation, Zavala has agreed to pay for supper at the end of the day."
"I-I suppose I could." She wouldn't be doing much else, and it was very rare that she got to spend much time with either vanguard. "Casual clothes?" She asked.
"We'll be wearing our casual. We intend to take breaks ourselves. Saint-14 and Shaxx will be watching the Tower in our absense for the day."
"Alright." Thera nodded. "When will I meet you?"
"The elevator in twenties minutes."
"See you then."
----
Twenty minutes later, on the dot, Thera met with Ikora by the elevators that led down to the City below. The warlock vanguard was now wearing fitting grey pants, a white blouse with a purple cardigan, and black boots. It was so weird for Thera, seeing her without her normal robes on. She couldn't remember a time in which she had ever seen her in anything different.
"Where's Zavala?" Thera inquired, looking around.
Ikora sighed. "Late. He always shows up on time to meetings, but for a walk in the City he decides to take his time."
Thera leaned against the metal railing. She wore an outfit made of black denim jeans, a light purple shirt tucked into said jeans with a hunter snake emblazened across it, along with a black leather jacket and black leather ankle boots. A top her head rested light purple aviator sunglasses, and on her ears, worn for the first time in forever, hung amythest stone earrings.
Zavala arrived a few minutes later than the two women. He wore black pants and a beige cashmere sweater. Peeking up from the sweater was the white collar of a button down shirt. It was also so different seeing Zavala without the bulky titan armor.
Thera straightened, arms crossed over her chest.
"Ready to go now, Commander?" Ikora asked, gesturing to the elevator.
"Ladies first."
Both Thera and Ikora entered the elevator with Zavala behind them. In no time they were on the City streets. People came from their homes to stop and wave at them. A few vendors who had set up in the streets gave them deals. Thera ended up with a small bag of taffy, 50% off. She usually didn't get this type of attention, she didn't go into the City much. She was surprised really with how many people knew her as the Young Wolf, and how many ran to her when the Vanguard was right there beside her. She had always seen them more liked than her by the City civilians. Children ran up to Zavala arms reaching in the air, wanting to be picked up and put on his shoulders. Little girls and boys ran up to talk to Ikora, and she crouched down to their height to speak with them, kindly and softly. Thera, without much knowledge about what to do with younger children despite having taken part in a few dodgeball games with Shaxx and Ann, followed the vanguards' lead. She gave each one she came across a piece of her taffy, and at one point a young boy came up to her with two wooden swords, wanting to play with her.
Thera took it and laughed with the child as she gave light blows to the boy and then dramatically fell back when he stabbed her in the stomach with the blunt wooden weapon as the children around them laughed and cheered.
The three also took their time to talk with the adult civilians, asking questions such as whether there was anything they should work on to make the City better. Thera got rather angry when a few mentioned passive aggressive statements about the House Light, but brushed it off quickly. It was one thing to get angry at a Guardian, another entirely to show aggression towards a civilian. Guardians could come back from a punch in the face, these people could not.
Thera took mostly to speaking with the teenagers, especially the shy ones who looked longingly at the three celebrities practically who walked along the City streets. She gave a few autographs, took a few pictures, and at the end of the day Zavala took Ikora and Thera to Cayde's favorite ramen restaurant.
"I had no idea the people loved me that much, especially the children." Thera said after slurping down another bite of ramen.
"Oh they adore you." Replied Ikora. "They usually ask us when we're bringing you down to the City with us."
"Really?"
Zavala nodded. "While Ikora and I are the Vanguard, we handle the more diplomatic aspect. You on the other hand are a warrior who has done many great feats, more so than Ikora and I both."
"I highly doubt that."
"Either way, they are inspired by the tales told to them by their parents about you. Your devotion to the City and the great stories of your triumphs inspire them, Thera. Many wish to be like you."
Thera smiled a small smile. "I never knew. Perhaps I should come down to the City more often."
"The children would love that. We do try to do this once a month. I'll invite you."
Thera nodded as she took another bite. All was silent for a moment and then Thera asked, "Did Ann put you up to this, to invite me down to the City?"
Ikora smiled sheepishly. "Well, she did come to me asking for you to be let off. But the taking you down into the City with us was all my doing. That girl does a lot of good for you."
"That she does." Thera replied. "Wouldn't know what I'd do without her."
Ikora smiled solemnly. "Cayde used to say the same about you."
"He did?"
"He was always proud of you Thera, how far you've come in your life. He always said he wouldn't know what he'd if he didn't have you around." She chuckled lightly. "He said you made life more interesting, and quoting him, 'That you were one of the coolest hunters he's every had the honor of training.'."
Ikora's words touched Thera's heart and she smiled.
It wasn't much longer until they finished their food and left after giving a generous tip to their server. Then they were walking back to the Tower again, the sun setting beautifully behind them.
