On all other days, Shin would be delighted to have Khalom run into him. On all but this one when his illness was at its worst. But it probably really was karma, since who otherwise explored strange caves just for the fun of it, scarcely deterred by weird noises coming from within? She had to have been lead there by faith.

It was clear someone was living in the cave, crates and utilities recently used, taken care of. In a small nook was the source of whining and moaning - Shin, laying on a thick blanket, curled up on his side, Last Word in his hand. Not that he was able to lift it in his state.

In a faint, warm light of an oil lamp, his face was sickly white, as if he had already died - if not for the noises, the only sign against it being bright green irises, staring without seeing into the darkness of the cave. Not even his chest moved enough in the shallow breaths to indicate he was alive...

The tunnels underneath the Moon’s surface were one of not many places Quinn felt welcome. The Hive didn’t bother her for the most part, save for some thralls that trailed after her and nudged at her hands to get her attention. They were adorable, in a way, and she didn’t mind their presence.

At least she could see, the tunnels showing in her mind in all shades of green, illuminated by threads of Hive magic.

But the peace wasn’t meant to last, it seemed. 

She can feel the Hive stir and she can hear the screeching rising all around. Even the thralls that accompanied her rush into the tunnels ahead, leaving her alone. Quinn knows it’s not safe for her to get in the way of a Guardian, but she’s too curious to not check it out - it was a long time since she saw another being.

Khalom slides up beside the other Nightstalker, mischief in her eyes. She sensed another grumpy Old Light to add to her collection. "Well hi," she said with a grin. "Nice to meet ya."

Pirriks wasn’t one to accept the alliance between the City and the Eliksni so no matter with what kind of approach the Guardians came to him, the Kell was quick to violence. It would be better if this one didn’t come upon him on the morning stroll, all alone, but he was going to do just fine on his own.

“Thank you.” Shin says quietly, keeping his eyes closed for a moment longer, savoring the last notes. He can’t express how he feels about Khalom so at least the songs, seemingly whatever comes to his head, can do that without the Awoken ever knowing. It saddens him but is all that he can get, and probably will ever be able to.

And yes, Khalom is right - he should play more. He rarely picks up the guitar when he’s alone as the music sounds oddly haunting when there is no one to share it with. But with her... It’s so much different.

Uldren absolutely hated letting Guardians into the Dreaming City but it was bearable enough when he didn’t have to interact with them, leaving the task to Petra. Unfortunately, she was busy by the orders of the Queen, and it fell on his shoulders to babysit a Guardian this time.

It was hard to get to Uldren and Khalom learned that first hand. The Scorn Barons were the wall she had to scale before even thinking of finding the Prince. The wall that proved to be a little too high.

Fikrul let out a breathy hiss, as if a valve released steam, approaching the Guardian slowly. As slowly as himself, the rest of the Barons emerged from different holes and crannies, along with their Scorn entourage.

Some injuries couldn't be healed quickly by the Light. A Guardian had two options at that point.

If time was of the essence or the wound slowly fatal, they could kill themself to allow their Ghost to Rez them in a fresh, healed state.

Or, if they could, they could heal the old fashioned way. Slowly over time. If out in the field, one could hope that someone would come across them to patch them up.

Something about killer herself never sat right with Khalom. It was frightening, in a way, and she only did it for the most extreme circumstances. Most of the time, she would opt for choice number two if she didn't need to be back in tip top shape in the next three seconds. Maybe Notts would patch her up, or a passing Guardian would find her slumped against the wall, holding her guts in.

The problem was, not everyone who could come across her had the best of intentions.

"MotherFUCKER!" Khalom swore and bit down on her lip as Shin wriggled his fingers across a deep slash on her back. It had been dealt by an Eliksni Arc staff, giving her the distinct cut of a sharp knife and the smell of electrified skin. "This is exactly why I s-said I didn't want your help...!" Dazed, cut up, and maybe a little delirious from blood loss, Khalom couldn't keep his hands at bay. Her paler-than-usual face had a green sheen to it from the glow of the Hive rune pin on her cloak.

Shin never expected to run into Khalom in such a state so soon. But happily, he stalked after her till she reached a safe spot. He would help... in time.

The scream of pain brought a wide grin to his face, just as the blood that covered his fingers. The pin kept the other safe, but nothing could hold him back from licking it off, one finger at a time.

Crouched over the Awoken, he took his sweet time.