#also caiatl and the YW are there looking out for him

[fukiana]

DESTINY 2: LIGHTFALL (2023) dev. Bungie

[tacogoats]

I’m replaying Lightfall on Legendary, which is a first  for me because I’m dogshit at this game but I’m gonna put some thoughts below on what I think so far, along with some thoughts about posts I’m reading now that I’m not at risk of spoilers:

So honestly I gotta get this out of the way first but I thought Lightfall was kind of mid. Like, a 6.5/10 at best; I think the emphasis on Strand hurt the narrative a lot and it felt more like “Strand, the Campaign” rather than fighting off the forces of the Witness and saving Neomuna and all. It’s not an uncommon complaint either - I’m seeing tons of people complaining about Strand taking too much of a stage presence, and I kind of agree, but anyway...

Nimbus took some time to grow on me because I was expecting a much darker tone to the story and the ‘peppy rookie’ was irritating sometimes (particularly when I was mid-fighting), but I’m told the Exotic quest has some very insightful commentary from them, and it’s just how they cope with their loss and the pressure on them now that they aren’t ‘the rookie’ anymore. So, while I said that I was done with the campaign I still have the post-campaign to do, and knowing *that* bit of info I think a second look at Nimbus is actually putting them in a much better light to me now. I think they’re a good balance to cranky Osiris who is constantly yelling at the YW to push themselves harder and harder, and who isn’t taking any bullshit. I’ll get to Osiris in a bit too, but I am actually looking forward to how Nimbus evolves from here since we have them as basically representing Neptune now. I’ve just gotten to the ‘restoring the graves’ kind of thing for past Cloudstriders and it’s lovely to look at the legacy Nimbus is carrying. I hope we can bring them out into the world and show them places like the Dreaming City, or the Tower. I’ve heard some quips from them picking up bounties about their amazement of the outside world and I hope they get to see it and aren’t confined to their little bounty perch.

I really love the whole “everyone is standing together” part of the story with humanity, the Awoken, Eliksni and Cabal standing against a new Collapse, so I hope we see Neomuna stand with us sooner than later in physical presence, too. I screamed in joy when Caiatl showed up, and also want to kind of touch on those words of warning she gave us when she rescued us, because oh boy are we ever reckless... and so is someone else!

So... now Osiris.

Seen a lot of hate thrown his way, and I don’t understand any of it. I think people are mischaracterizing him and his behaviour is just going way over their heads. I DO think it’s a bit easy to miss conversations in this game though so I will throw some understanding to newer players who maybe didn’t see the little holo conversation Saint-14 had with him and who maybe don’t Know him, but still. He’s reckless, stubborn, and very, very driven to the point it teeters into obsession - and he’s living all that through the YW because he is no longer a Lightbearer and can’t throw himself at problems like he used to, so of course he comes off as pushy and mean, he *is*, but it’s because of what was stripped from him. Did people forget he’s spent years being a puppet, basically? He woke up to a changed world and lost his best friend, his Ghost, and now has to deal with an imminent Collapse 2.0 in a world he hardly recognizes with how fast things have changed (for the better, but it’s still a change!) And he was always a cranky old guy! Of course he’s gonna be cranky, but he’s not *stupid.* He reigns it in when called out on his bullshit. He is capable of stepping back and taking a moment to *think*, and he does it. He and Nimbus are excellent partners for that kind of thing too, and I look forward to seeing more of it from these two queer folk from different walks of life.

But uh, Caiatl’s warning? Yeah, I’m kind of hoping for a Real beatdown moment for us. That shit was ominous and Osiris has been kind of overbearing with his ordering us and pushing us more and more. I came from playing FFXIV where the PC, the Warrior of Light, is very much used as a tool for people - and a certain character calls it out to the person who does it the most, and it’s a wakeup call for them. I think the game does a decent job of having the characters acknowledge they push and shove us into danger constantly - because, unfortunately, we’re the only one who can meet the challenge and come out of it - but we’re a person at the end of the day, too. I think YW is in need of that moment where they have to lose, and the cast has to recognize they can’t rely on the YW for everything. I think we’ll be approaching that in the Seasonal story, (I hope), with how the civilians want to do their own part in the fight for Earth. I think the hesitancy to shoot our Ghost in that ending cinematic was fantastic, but Give Me More.

Disclaimer: I have only come back to D2 with the Witch Queen expansion, so if a moment like that has really happened already and I missed it - oops. I’m doing my best to keep up with the story but I do miss things, and I am not counting Forsaken for a plethora of reasons that kind of merits its own post.

So, now the Seasonal story which has some of my big gripes because I’m a little fucking creature who has latched on to Crow like a leech who won’t let go. :)

I came back to D2 after not having played since the Curse of Osiris expac, and I landed back in mid-Season of the Haunted. I had to do a lot of googling as to why Uldren Sov (I had seen the Forsaken cutscenes because an old friend was still playing during that, so I knew who him) was now going by the name Crow and was our buddy. I had to google what a ‘Savathun’ was lmao; I was a very casual player who’s first experience to D2 was the Red War - only picking it up because I could buy it with WoW tokens back when D2 was on the Battle.net App. (Yeah... so...I went crazy farming flowers in WoW, and bought D2...)

So, basically I didn’t know jack shit. I had landed in a Strike or something at one point and heard Amanda talking to Crow and totally thought they were cute as fuck and hoped it would go somewhere.

And then I landed in Season of the Haunted and she blasted him for being Uldren, and basically all of Uldren’s crimes. And I was kind of upset.

Aaannndd now we’re in Season of Defiance and that blowup is still definitely hanging between them and it sucks.

Now again I’m prefacing this with Crow is my special little blorbo whom I would like to lovingly chew on like a dog toy, and also as someone who loves toxic relationship dynamics - I am staring directly in all my horrible little men I ship - but wow. This ain’t the fun kind of toxic relationship. It’s just... sad.

Crow’s taken nothing but huge Ls since waking up as a Guardian and it’s not fun seeing him continue to take them into the mess of a love life attempt Bungie is wringing him through. I don’t think it’s cute how he’s basically on his knees groveling to Amanda while she is totally fine shooting the poor guy. It doesn’t matter that he can come back - she killed him, why is he still chasing her? Guy isn’t about to get a break either because Mara is Right There and is another character effectively haunting him, especially now that he has Uldren’s memories to boot. I am in absolute awe this poor man hasn’t snapped like a twig under all this mental hell he keeps enduring - most of his existence has been torture porn. I recently discovered how his time was spent before falling into Spider’s hell for him and just... wow.

I’m seeing a lot of people post about him ‘flirting’ with his ‘I’m so beefy’ joke and like. It didn’t clock as a joke to me, it’s that awkward ‘haha yeaaahh you totally shot me, I guess it was an accident, right?’ and her totally blowing that off - and then in the next battleground (which, I love the battlegrounds!) I did he makes a comment about how he hates dying to falling, and she snaps back at how she went to easy on him with the shotgun? Girl. What is wrong with you? Am I supposed to be cheering for these two to hook up eventually, Bungie? Because before this I had to listen to him groveling to her about how he could make things up to her - like he’s the problem here and not her seeing him as Uldren.

I LOVE the idea that some people can’t let it go but like we’re really doing this this late in the game with the Witness up in our asses? And then trying to have HIM chase her? Nooooo thank you. I kept wishing for Crow to appear in content again but now I’m regretting it lmao. It’s souring the seasonal story for me a bit, honestly. I’m not really looking forward to how this is gonna inevitably blow up, OR, worse: Amanda ‘takes him back’ after some more groveling on his end. It just isn’t fun to watch, at all.

On a more positive note I am elated Devrim is back and has a beautiful new title that keeps him relevant! Queensguard! I also found out he’s gay and it gives me life seeing all the queer folk in this game. :) I wish little babygay me knew how gay this game was going to be back when I had first bought it because I was still with my shit ex, I think it would’ve launched me out of the closet a bit faster lmao

I’m gonna probably add more later as I’m at work and have been darting between this and work for the past couple of hours. I want to add some more on Caiatl and the environmental storytelling of Neomuna. 

[a-driftamongopenstars]

I once had an idea where Crow & YW keep trying to reunite but everything under the sun keeps interrupting & they dont get even a word or gesture between them for several hours of trying; finally they both give up & YW goes to sit on some stairs to just calm down, only to look over & see Crow also coincidentally sitting there. All that chaos & trying so hard in futility, & when they give up is when the universe finally lets them have a moment together, lol. (Maybe too angsty for the chaos?)

hellooo :o thank you for this awesome prompt, it's such a good idea! hope you like the execution of it :D

Caiatl's ship is set to arrive to Earth's orbit in just about half an hour. The travel is swift and direct, as all that her people do is. Crow looks over the console with coordinates and plentiful controls and then raises his glance at Caiatl, who watches him in return.

They've had plenty of conversations. Meaningful ones, filled with teachings and wisdom that feels so alien to him, yet comforting. But between Caiatl's determination and Saladin's stoicism, Crow feels he has garnered enough from both of them to move forward.

A decision has been made in his head long ago that he wants to reconcile with the Guardian, if they would have him, for he would certainly have them.

The ship finally reaches the planet's orbit where a space station, a mediator of some sort, is awaiting their boarding. There is another ship already attached to it, one of the human design. Crow knows well enough that the Guardian will be there, as per their rank and involvement with the situation.

Savathun is to be free soon, and Crow has also been requested for the event.

He sees them the moment his foot touches the patterned metal of the station. They look up as well, flashes of emotion visit their face, from surprise to relief to sadness to yearning. Crow wonders how much of those emotions reflect on his own face. That and more, perhaps.

He opens his mouth to speak, the word "Guardian" nearly escapes his lips, but there is no time to speak as all of them are ushered into a large chamber.

There is no time for conversation there. But Crow does not listen either, too lost in thoughts, too aching to see the Guardian. On one hand, to tell them that he forgives them. On the other, to see that he may still be welcome.

When the meeting is finished, he attempts to intercept the Guardian. He cannot - there are reports to be submitted about his stay with Caiatl. He sees them again - they reach out - but no, they are to be briefed before returning to the H.EL.M.

In frustration, in desperation, Crow stumbles out into an adjacent hall, sitting down on the steps, his head in his hands. He knows they shall see each other soon again, but he has things to say now.

When he looks up, the Guardian is right there. Feet away, so close. He begs fate to stop interfering, to just let him say it.

And the fate concedes.

"I forgive you," he blurts out, less graceful than planned, approaching the Guardian quicker than his mind could realise he was walking already. The Guardian pants, breathes heavily. They smile and they reach for him, and Crow reaches out as well until their bodies are pressed together and their arms are wrapped around each other.

Thank you, the Guardian whispers, finding that for once in this long while things are alright again.

[a-driftamongopenstars]

ok so,,,, i saw ur prompts are open and i LOVE ur writing and i plan to do something like this but if u wanted to as well,,

prompt: the YW and Crow both MASSIVELY pining for each other but both wholeheartedly convinced it's unrequited, and to attempt to cope with this: the YW goes on a date. cue angsty shenanigans where Crow is sitting there like trying to be supportive or like "so. so uh. who are you going out with ? just out of curiosity. do you.. you know. like them a lot? :)" and trying to act like a normal friend but they're both SAD until their ghosts have to whack them in the heads like "u fucking morons" and its just. idk i thought this would be sweet

hello anon! a little later, but your prompt is done!! I hope you like it :) it turned out a little longer than anticipated :D

also on ao3

For Crow realising that he is in love with the Guardian is only a part of the problem. Having the Guardian tell him that they are going on a date with some unknown lightbearer is another.

Crow mulls over that fact for a few nights. Sleepless nights where he chooses to nurse a cup of tea and look out onto the night city as if he were a character from a romantic novel. He did notice that and laughed to Glint in an off-hand remark.

“I only need rain pouring down the windows, and my look would be complete.”

Glint shakes his head and laughs too.

But the date night draws nearer, and Crow can’t put it out of his head. He stands beside the Guardian at the war table, filing a report. The words on the datapad make no sense to him, his mind being in hours way later, imagining the Guardian holding hands with some other person. Crow thinks that is quite ridiculous, because he has perfectly adequate hands too. And he would very much like to hold the Guardian’s.

"Crow?” Glint nudges him a little on the shoulder, and Crow looks up, his datapad running the report process without his direction. He looks down at it again, but steals a glance at the Guardian who seems to be just as distracted. Perhaps, they are daydreaming about the date?

Crow hums.

Caiatl.. calling the proving rite... enter Europa’s Well of Infinitude... 

Crow’s inner eye loses itself in the pool of letters that stop making sense, instead focusing entirely on the Guardian.

Crow felt spiteful at first. Disappointed, maybe. But now, oddly heartbroken. How else is he expected to feel when his cheeks burn as the Guardian looks up at him or when they talk and his name falls off the Guardian’s lips in a rare conversation aloud. He wonders if he has missed his chance somewhere along the line. Perhaps, their current colleague status is too much of a rank to be permitted to go on a date, let alone kiss or--

“Finished,” the Guardian announces curtly. They are never a person of many words, and it seems so even more at that moment. Crow notices that for someone about to leave on a date, the Guardian has a surprisingly weary and sad look. “I am taking my leave.”

They turn around and give Crow a smile. Those lips smile so rarely, and Crow relishes the warmth that comes off the Guardian’s face when they do.

“Enjoy your date,” Crow says, choking on the syllables. The Guardian’s smile wanes and they turn around, stepping down the metal stairs and moving down to the elevator.

“Really, Crow?” Glint appears again beside him, hovering like an angry hummingbird. “You are letting them go?”

“What am I supposed to do?” Crow grits through his teeth, too horrified to make a noise out of his sadness. “They like someone else.”

“Is that so!” Glint exclaims so dramatically, that Crow can’t help a laugh. “They keep staring at you, they talk only with you for days at a time, they got drunk with you just a month ago and I was surprised not to see clothes flying--”

“Glint!”

“And if you don’t go after them this minute, it might never happen at all!”

Glint’s shell rotates furiously around his tiny body, and Crow feels to deafened by the words spoken to respond.

“Guardian!” he shouts, following them down the stairs in immediacy. “Wait.”

The Guardian stands by the elevator, their hand resting against the door. They look at Crow in slight confusion and with a glimmer of hope that Crow was not expecting to see.

“I... Would you go on a date with me?”

The smile Crow sees is brigher than ever. Well, it must be a yes.