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We called it the Traveler, and its arrival changed us forever.

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“Veist is really reaching for that market dominance, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“A Recluse reissue? In this economy?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I thought you kept up with market developments. Haven’t you seen ads for the restyled Recluse?”

“Uh, no.”

“Oh… Well, see, that just goes to show how they’re trying too hard.”

“Trying too hard to do what?”

“To take over the market! A Veist in every holster! Just weird spiky guns everywhere.”

“Why… do you think that?”

“Isn’t it obvious from how hard they’re reaching?”

“You keep saying that, but I don’t know what you think that means in this context.”

“You’re such a shill.”

“I wish. Veist has deep pockets. It’d be great if they paid me.”

(The Recluse w/ Necrosis & Welded Brass)

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in the GARDEN grows a tree of SILVER WINGS. the leaves are ruin, the bark disaster. of the SEEDS we do not speak.

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Talli’s expression lit up immediately. She walked over to one of the gun racks, holding all sorts of indiscriminate working pieces.

“Yeah, actually. I get a lot of prototype orders and models in from all sorts of foundries through the Tower Gunsmith. I like to work with them, you know?”

Talli began wringing her hands, almost as if suddenly distracted, or beginning to trail off with thought.

“As you can assume, Guardians have to know our guns.... pretty well, to say the least. You don’t want your main piece jamming mid fire fight. So, I work with them a lot. More than some of my cohorts, but... it helps, y’know?”

Talli stared at the rack with a cold determination, almost a deep resolve showing through her exterior.

“I was once told that the gun was the.... well, they called it the ‘Demiurge’ of the Guardian. I don’t know about all that, but it gives my hands something to do when i don’t wanna think.”

Talli seemed to finally shake herself out a little, focusing once again on a singular piece instead of the gun rack as a whole. She picked a single handcannon off of the rack, bringing it towards the couch.

“Now this, I got pretty recently. I’ve been taking it apart, figuring out how it works a little.”

Talli presented a smooth, gilded handcannon with gold along the top, the hammer, and engraved into the barrel. The stock was worn, but well cared for wood that looked as if it had been carved with care. The green and gold accenting ran the entire gun, and Talli held it like a revolver.

Roots

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Merope entered the Titan’s apartment after she left outside the shoes respectfully. Her head raised to examine the personal space of Talli, and once she was done admiring silently every element and furniture set she felt… relaxed, a minimalism and a softness akin to her own apartment in the Dreaming City, especially the illumination - just with way lesser objects and without the night seeping in the room. Nonetheless, she didn’t minimally regret her acceptance to be here after her long day in the City, it was quite rewarding.

The Awoken watched the Ghost take their deserved rest with a smile which persisted when she gazed back at the Titan, just to pout mildly at her next sentence beside the large bed appearing beside her eyes too.

“Please, I admire your kindness, but I’d be fine to sleep on the couch, really. I don’t want to invade further your space with my presence here.” She humbly replied with a light bow to remark that, but willed to accept if she insisted.

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The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

- Sun Tzu

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“No Please, I insist. Guardians don’t technically really need sleep, so i’ll be alright being a bit uncomfortable for the night.”

Talli began taking off casual jacket, revealing her tight sleeveless white undershirt. She hung the jacket up by the front door, and went to sit on the couch and grabbed a loose instruction manual that was sitting on the couch, with a large “VEIST” emblazoned on the front. She reached over to rub her ghost, who had already closed his optic. She looked back up to Merope before she began moving forward with her reading.

“I mean, feel free to sit down with me if you feel like hanging in a little longer. But i don’t mind if you go to sleep. I have work to get done, but i promise i won’t be loud.”

Talli smiled, brushing a loose lock of hair behind her ear, still loosely gripping the manual. Her thumb began tapping on her hand, expressing her subconscious nervousness. It seemed when she tapped the thumb, a small spark of solar energy was released, completely absentmindedly. But she looked at Merope unflattering.

Roots

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Merope entered the Titan’s apartment after she left outside the shoes respectfully. Her head raised to examine the personal space of Talli, and once she was done admiring silently every element and furniture set she felt… relaxed, a minimalism and a softness akin to her own apartment in the Dreaming City, especially the illumination - just with way lesser objects and without the night seeping in the room. Nonetheless, she didn’t minimally regret her acceptance to be here after her long day in the City, it was quite rewarding.

The Awoken watched the Ghost take their deserved rest with a smile which persisted when she gazed back at the Titan, just to pout mildly at her next sentence beside the large bed appearing beside her eyes too.

“Please, I admire your kindness, but I’d be fine to sleep on the couch, really. I don’t want to invade further your space with my presence here.” She humbly replied with a light bow to remark that, but willed to accept if she insisted.

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“Oh, of course. Well...”

Talli stands tall, trying to out do her obvious blush.

“Follow me.”

She leads Merope further into the city, making her way down winding streets and waving at various citizens along the way. Eventually way is made to a larger apartment building, with hanging lights decorating the entire building, including a patio overlooked by guilded wood as a covering overtop. Making their way inside, the metal staircase is climbed, with Talli stopping every so often to wait for Merope. They make their way to the fifth floor, into Talli’s apartment. After flipping on the lights. The interior has even more hanging lights with smaller bulbs, which reveals a warm but simple interior. There is a small kitchen in the corner, with enough counterspace to facilitate small meals. Near it is a table with two chairs and an old coffee cup sitting atop it. There is a simple, but comfortable looking couch in the middle of the room and a small counter next to it, with what looks like a small cat bed sitting atop it.

“Well, I hope you like it. Welcome to my place in the Last City.”

Talli reaches her hand forward, allowing her ghost to phase out from her wrist. The ghost goes and rests on the catbed near the couch.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, and you can sleep on my bed. I hope it’s comfortable enough.”

Talli opens a door across the way from the couch to reveal an extension of the apartment, with a queen sized bed and several ambiguous tools, guns, and gun parts hanging above a tool bench next to the bed.

Roots

[ 🔥 ]

“I’ve never been so happy in my lifetime, really. I’m fully in debt with you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to see our ancestors and where do we truly come from.” She replied her as she squeezed gently the lent arm of the Titan in response. “Thank you, dear Talli.”

Her feet hurted for walking a whole day beside her, her head almost ached for the inebriating experience which pervaded all her senses through the trip across the streets of the City, but any sore soon vanished at the sight of the raising Moon, mauled but still beautiful for her, just as she had heard and read. Recalling those lines in her head as she looked up at the satellite increased her stupor and marvel at its sight, enough to make her stop the walk and drift in a silent weep. 

Even though she knows that what she had experienced today was a mere fragment of the real life here among the Humans, what she craved the most to see here was fulfilled, the elusive Moon ended to be a fantasy to her.

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Talli quietly leans over to Merope, placing a soft hand on her cheek. The comforts of earth so often escaped her as commonplace, but the emotions of Merope seeing the moon in clear view along with the Traveler..... it helped jolt her into appreciation for the beauty of Earth, the Last City, all of it. Even despite everything that transpired on the surface of the Luna, even she could take a step and admire its beauty among the lightly biting night air. The ambiance of the city trilled behind and around the two, with light orange glow eminating from nearby apartments and houses. Glancing back, she repressed a stupid grin at seeing Merope enjoying herself so thoroughly. These moments of absolute peace and enjoyment within the walls of a beautiful city... that’s what truly drove Talli.

“Merope, you seem a bit tired. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be cramped in a ship for a while, even with NLS travel time. You can come to my apartment in the city and stay the night if you feel like it.”

Taking a moment to realize how forward her request was, Talli began to blush once more, hiding her face in the nighttime shadows.

“Of course, i don’t mind flying you home either....”

Roots

[ 🔥 ]

“I’ve never been so happy in my lifetime, really. I’m fully in debt with you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to see our ancestors and where do we truly come from.” She replied her as she squeezed gently the lent arm of the Titan in response. “Thank you, dear Talli.”

Her feet hurted for walking a whole day beside her, her head almost ached for the inebriating experience which pervaded all her senses through the trip across the streets of the City, but any sore soon vanished at the sight of the raising Moon, mauled but still beautiful for her, just as she had heard and read. Recalling those lines in her head as she looked up at the satellite increased her stupor and marvel at its sight, enough to make her stop the walk and drift in a silent weep. 

Even though she knows that what she had experienced today was a mere fragment of the real life here among the Humans, what she craved the most to see here was fulfilled, the elusive Moon ended to be a fantasy to her.

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Talli smiled, taking Meropes arm and leading her out the door gently. The city always left her breathless, and she was ecstatic to share it. Moving through the sunlit streets, investigating markets and food stores and fragrances that filled their nostrils, the walk was a nice one. The city as a whole was... beautiful. Despite Talli’s efforts to stay disguised however, there was the occasional free treat, or child looking on in awe as Talli gave a small wave back. The people looked up to Guardians, and Talli’s dead did not go unoticed in the public eye. She profusely apologized to Merope everytime someone bothered them due to Talli. But the day came to an eventual close, the Traveler beginning to light up as a second moon as the lights of the city illuminated the bottom of its shell.

“Did you have a good time, Merope?”

Roots

[ 🔥 ]

“It’s all good, I was a bit distracted as well.” She confessed with a small giggle as she placed the teapot back on its trail after her cup was filled up again. 

“Then after we’re done drinking, we can pay and have our nice walk. I like that.”

One of her hands stretched to grab and eat one of the offered date fruits, too sweet for her taste but too good not to take another one, perfect to balance the dark drink in the end. She took a third and left the others to her as she sipped alongside the strong coffee - a restoring sensation passing through her body which will surely sustain her through the day out.

In the end this is just the beginning.

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🔥 Talli smiled. She didn’t seem to give it a second thought, thank the Traveler.

“Thank you, but I’ll be alright. I’m eager to show you the city. It’s truly an amazing place”

Talli took a moment, dwelling on the beauty of this civilization fostered under the Travelers shadow. The Darkness has tried to speak with her in many occasions, appeal to her. But she always dwelled in the city in those moments. How could life be as simple as the Darkness worked towards without losing this beautiful city? The bonds of society, the constant and inifinite conditions of relationships. It was so much to grab onto, how could she let go? And of course, back to Merope. How could someone so gentle not deserve to exist? How does the logic of the sword deny the beautiful and complex so easily? She snapped too.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought there.”

Roots

[ 🔥 ]

Merope boggled at the last part of her sentence, not for feeling bad about it but to see how and where she lives. 

“Well, we should totally go there when we’re done with the trip around the City! I’d be honored to see where you stay!” She replied all excited before she sipped her coffee before she filled up a second cup for herself, apparently she wasn’t feeling it too hot.

“Would you like another cup when you’ve emptied your?” She politely asked as she kept the silver pot well firm in her hands an inch above the flat table.

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Want a cool emblem?

Go into the Corridors of Time and follow this set of doors!

Diamond, Clover, Snake, Plus, Hex, Hex, Plus, Hex, Diamond, Clover, Snake

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🔥 Talli coughed a little, still partially recovering from the searing drink. She looked at Merope yet again, content to see a smile on her face.

“I suppose deep down, we are all pretty similar. The humans, awoken, Exo... we all value the same things.  our patterns forming the same way.”

Talli smiled, embarrassed. She gently brushed her hair behind her ear.

“I’m sorry, did not mean to get that deep. But I am glad that you enjoy the coffee.”

Talli took a moment to admire Merope here, in this place. She was Beautiful enough to make Talli’s heart throb. It meant everything in the world to her to see her happy after all the suffering she had witnessed. And it didn’t hurt that Talli had helped out.

“While we are sitting here, what would you like to do next? There are many things to see within the city. We could even drop by my apartment if that...”

Charlie coughed again, just realizing what she had spoken. She had done it without thinking, truthfully. Now just to see how Merope would react.



Roots

[ 🔥 ]

Merope giggled with caution upon seeing her reaction, hoping she haven’t burned herself too much. Then she looked at her own cup, so dark she could easily see her trembling reflection in, feeling pretty and confident for once. The roasted drink let out all its aroma in her nose first, same coming from the tall tulip-like pot of clean steel, almost coppery, irradiating warmth like a heater on the table.

“This set of cups and coffee pot really reminds me of those from the Reef, incredible…” She muttered softly as she was more careful to sip and taste the cup.

Delighted, she hummed and smiled widely, distant memories resurfacing at full throttle in her mind and in the glint of her sky eyes. 

“Truly good! I’m impressed to say the least!” She commented happily as she followed her kind words and looked at her with no embarrassment.

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🔥 Talli looked up to meet Meropes eyes. They were always so beautiful.

“Yes.... yes I suppose you’re right. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Talli gave a tired smile. It had all been non stop for her, excluding the few times she had taken time to spend with Merope. But the weight was beginning to drag her down, and she could feel it now. Contrasting her obligation to what she had in front of her, what she wanted. It made the work that much harder. Talli stood, clearing her throat.

“Thank you. I’ll most likely have to report all of this to the vanguard, perhaps Sikorsky has some idea of how to sever this... parasite. And Merope, none of this was your fault. None of it.”

From Insult to Injury

[ 🔥 ]

“If you desire that, you can achieve that, but keep in mind that you cannot save everyone, it is impossible. We haven’t saved Our Queen for example, nor her Fleet, but all were still ready to face any adversity like you. Remember, a meaningful sacrifice makes everything worth.” She kindly spoken as she looked up to the sky alongside her. 

Calmly her despair dissipated, maybe she’ll be a key to finally end this in some ways, she only needed how to handle this nasty outcome in their favour. Whatever will struck them, they’ll all face it altogether, she felt that within herself.

“Stars dies to create life, and even in its death it can give birth to more stars. Have faith, Talli, as not everything is lost. Do what you can, I believe in you.”

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🔥 Talli nodded. She was very efficient, this was true. And threats upon threats faced both the Awoken and the Earthborn alike. But it was no matter. She would stop them both. But she was surprised that Merope hadn’t noticed her fleeting glances at all, even when she returned the gaze. Talli reached out a hand, grasping Meropes on the table before she knew what she was doing. She spoke softly.

“I don’t mind you staring at me Merope. I find it quite pleasing, actually.”

Before Talli was given the chance to react to even what she had just said, the waiter approached to set down the drinks. She cleared her throat, a little flustered, and withdrew the hand.

“Oh good, our coffee.”

She immediately took a sip, not realizing the temperature until the searing coffee hit her tounge. She immediately sat straight up in response, trying to down the coffee despite her obviously pained expression. After the deed was done, she spoke through the pain.

“Pretty good!”

Roots

[ 🔥 ]

“I already am, dear Talli. It is so comfortable, like the taverns or pubs in the Reef, just in a far more cosy ambient.” Merope said as she looked back at her with her marvelled expression since she reached the ground. 

It took her some seconds before she broke the stare with a bashful expression.

“S-Sorry, I shouldn’t stare you like that at all, I know that it is awkward.” She awkwardly replied before she returned instead the comment of the Titan over the fact about the Last City and the Guardians.

She crossed her fingers on the table and stared instead down at her ring where rested a purple sapphire, sole showy detail off the monochromatic clothes. Somehow that gesture eased her enough to talk normally again like before.

“We need more Guardians in our world like this then, but at this point by the laws of the Queen we are not allowed to let you get past the Dreaming City. You touched a soil akin to our homeworld if we have to be honest, but sadly that’s going to be the limit. Everything will rely on ourselves only and your efficiency upon defeating our common threats.”

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🔥 “Who knows? But I can’t stop to worry about it. There’s to much at stake. Here and...”

Talli gestured outwards, towards where the expanse of stars lie.

“Everywhere else. I’ve seen what’s coming, Merope. And it’s plan isn’t to coexist. So I have to stop it, no matter the cost.”

Tallis shoulders slumped simply thinking of what was to come. The darkeness and it’s fleet, whatever was on those ships, she would need to take it down. And she felt it was going to be less than easy. And with so much already in the system, the expectations placed on her head... the weight was there.

“I just want everyone to be safe for once.”

From Insult to Injury

[ 🔥 ]

Merope gave in and embraced her firmly in return, so longing that it could be even sensed past the steel of the armors. She remained glued to her the whole time she was talking and a minute more when she fell quiet. At first she sighed, then she slowly moved away from her to look at her directly.

“You want to save everyone, and I admire that… but who’s going to save you in the end, Talli?” She lastly asked to her with a deep tone of caring as she set aside any formality just to be with her here and now as a fellow Awoken than a transcendent figure.

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🔥 Talli watched Meropes small gestures while she ordered, listening to her small and gentle voice. One that had soothed her many a time. She was transfixed by the small mannerisms she constantly preformed. The small point when she reffered to something, and that graceful smile. Talli found herself enamored again and again.

“I’m so glad you decided to visit. The city is... well, i’m sure you’ve noticed. The last cradle of humanity has proven time and time again its resilience.”

Talli sat up in her chair, gazing out the nearest window.

“They look at guardians for hope. And we have to uphold that. Most do, some don’t even care. But I? I look to them for hope. It’s no small feat of courage to live a normal life in these times. And even after everything, small pieces of them still thrive. Like this shop.”

Talli looked around the shop caringly. She had so many fond memories in this place. And now she had another to add.

“I hope you enjoy it, truly.”

Talli found her gaze meeting Meropes again, and had her breath taken away. It was always those eyes.

Roots

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Merope almost weeped as she placed down her feet on the concrete of the City, exalted to be likely the first Techeun to ever visit this place, the original beginning of her own race born in the Starlight and Darkness thousands of miles away. 

Here she could feel that everything had a similar energy to her own homeworld, and yet there were so many more things to admire and sense, scents to collect and speeches to listen. All felt so new and familiar, as she was born yesterday in an overwhelming wave of unique sensations.

The young Techeun’s hand held her hand in return with a firm grip, and walked beside her ignare of the rest, no glances crossed hers in the end as she was entranced by the architectures, lights and cloths around her. Many districts were still under construction after the Red War, as she had heard about during her time serving the Spider, while what survived continued to fluorish before her eyes.

What struck her the most was the sight of the Traveler in the end, an impressive machine of alabaster, just like some Eliksni told her about. It wasn’t perfectly spherical anymore, but it still remained beautiful to see, especially for the particular double orbit of debrits which recalled many dreams and visions of her sisters. A sign, she might note, something she’ll gladly talk about with Talli.

The nice trip in the streets made them stop in the end to a place wich looked akin to some resting places from the Reef, but the herbs and scents were all different, she could sense that as soon as the doors opened for her to enter.

She remained silent to examine quietly the ambient and see what interest her the most, until a slight more familiar scent caught her interest, adding a set of pot and cups way more familiar to hers. 

“I might take that for us to enjoy, I know that drink very well.” The foreign Awoken said with a warm smile as she pointed that copper set to sign what she wanted to have with her eventually.

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🔥 Talli couldn’t bear it. She slowly sat next to Merope, and brought her into her tight embrace with her firm arms. She sighed.

“I... I know you didn’t mean for this to happen Merope. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

She brought Merope even closer, hoping she could make up for the stress she had been through. Hoping to embrace every little worry and destroy it with her strength. But it could only go so far. She was never strong enough.

“You couldn’t have kept me away if you tried, Merope. I can’t resist the opportunity to help. I never could, and I never will. And I’ll keep trying until I save everyone.”

Talli felt a pang of guilt at everyone she hadn’t saved. It hurt her heart worse than any bullet wound. And the possibility that Merope would be counted among them... she couldn’t allow it.

“I’ll save everyone.”

From Insult to Injury

[ 🔥 ]

“Oh, oh dear…” Merope barely muttered upon hearing at last what’s bothering her, something which bothered herself as much as the Titan. 

Both her hands pressed over her own lips as her head fell low to don’t even gaze at her in an emphatic turmoil. Then she begun to move around erratically, frantically, as it would help to search more possibilities to untie her from such bond, but nothing crossed yet her mind - or at least something logic. 

“My… my sisters could try and help you to… no, no, that’s something beyond their powers, or it would be too dangerous for you.”

Hive magic can be at times very powerful, figure it out from an actual divinity. 

The poor Awoken felt in a dead end after a long inner examination of the possible actions that she could’ve taken to set Talli free, but with no avail in the end - just as feared, but sadly a crude certainty.

“This only mean that the Curse will continue, maybe even fueled by you. I-I should’ve kept you away from this since the beginning. I… I’m sorry.” She concluded with an embittered tone and her fists closed tightly, rigid on her sides, until she fell silent in front of her in defeat. 

Despair won at last above her own optimism, crumbled altogether in this very end.