#his both sleeves are down actually thats just to show his gauntlet

[zennyzach]

I lied a bit, and will at least post this ref image teehee

Grimwalker AU Belos

[bluefairykino]

so to go with both the fic i wrote earlier (and my idea for a dq9 novelization), here’s the main squad of the party! made with this

do take note that these are not their appearances clothing-wise! those are based on actual clothing items from the game (these i suppose could be casual clothes??? pjs??? idk) with, like, a few adjustments. these were mostly made to get physical appearances figured out.

and of course phoenix’s wings and halo aren’t there most of the time bUT YKNO AHAHAH

i do have ideas for characters surrounding the unlockable classes! but those guys haven’t been designed yet so i’ll post em later

further details of characters below the cut! includes basic design ideas, too.

Phoenix

Character Notes -baby girl who can and will kick ur ass -actual age is unknown but she physically looks around 18 or so. maybe slightly older than that. -physically mute. aquila gave her a magical pad of paper (never runs out) and a pen with everlasting ink (they’d have stuff like that up in the observatory im sure) and she mostly uses that to communicate. she does know sign language but can never be certain if someone else will so she doesn’t use it often. -always been super curious about the protectorate! but has rly only been limited to angel falls before falling so doesn’t know much about anywhere beyond that. -sees aquila as a fatherly figure, but doesn’t quite know how to admit it to him.

Design Notes -somewhere between 5′3′’ and 5′4′’ -thats four braids there not two (two in front two in back) -wears the full celestial clothing set. all the time. don’t take this away from her ITS HER LAST CONNECTION TO HOME -uses swords and shields only

Lepus

Character Notes -stinky bastard man (ok not rly) -BORN TO DIE ORIENTATION IS A FUCK -if he’s attracted to them he’ll flirt with them -tried his advances on phoenix once. it kinda worked but then she saved him during battle and he’s been head-over-heels for the woman since then. -doesn’t actually join the party at first, just kinda shows up a bunch for a while. actually joins during the gleeba saga. he and phoenix have a couple heart-to-hearts before that, tho. -bottom -lost his leg in an incident he doesn’t like to talk about. he’s fine now with the prosthetic and all but phantom pains and chafing and the stupid thing coming loose are all things so that sucks

Design Notes -5′5′’, almost 5′6′’. so close, yet so far. -wears dark robe/macabre mantle variant. purple bit is a light blue and main robe is dark beige-ish color -white tights. pant leg that’d cover prosthetic is cut short, tho -has gloomy gloves/murky mittens, but reddish part is dark blue -the sandals shown in the pic are right. yes he only wears it on the one foot. -uses solely knives. no shield. only stab.

Volans

Character Notes -baby boy. baby -srsly he’s like 16 who let this child hold a polearm -v bottom of the hierarchy in stornway’s guard. actually p tough but has serious anxiety and is super afraid of letting everyone down. -admires princess simona’s unending determination!! he wants to be like her. -joins phoenix to go fight the wight knight. ends up going with her on her journey as a whole in order to train and improve. -make him cry and phoenix will actually stab you. she won’t hesitate bitch

Design Notes -5′4′’ -black variant of the ‘mail’ armor set (with accents in various shades of purple) -similarly colored variants of the kneecaps, sabatons, and gauntlets. -no headgear! he prefers having his head exposed for some personal reasons -spears and shields over here

Crux

Character Notes -nonbinary -crux says fuck gender -yes they chose their name and yes it is meant to be similar to what u might be thinking rn -joins when phoenix and vorans go to zere. why? who tf knows -kinda creepy sometimes???? but nice nonetheless. -talks to themselves a lot for some reason. tends to deny it when confronted bout the whole thing, tho.

Design Notes -6 feet tall on the dot -variant of the angel’s robe w/ red replaced with a v pale blue -are blue tights a thing???? well they are now -the gloves in the pic are accurate -grey boots -basically a silver variant of the circlets with a blue gem instead of a pink one -staves!

Carina

Character Notes -mischievous lil lady -how old is she??? we just don’t know -teases LITERALLY EVERYONE in the party. nobody is safe. -might know that phoenix is a celestrian??? might know a few certain other things she probably shouldn’t??? oh dear -joins in coffinwell to help the town after doing all she could on her own. -might actually be some sort of magical spirit thing tbh who knows

Design Notes -5′7′’ -princess’ robe! but with shades of white/grey and pink in place of the yellow/gold and red bits respectively -marquess’ mittens -dark pink heels -pink and white variant of the magical hat -wands!

Mensa

Character Notes -5′3′’ -rambunctious lil girl -aaalways trying to one-up everyone and also herself. -a student of that grandmaster guy from the martial artist quests, but he focuses more on his other students than her and she ain’t happy -joins when the squad goes to find abbot jack. ends up staying in order to become strong enough to please her master -REALLY does not like lepus for some reason -might have a crush on phoenix. just a lil one. or maybe a huge one.

Design Notes -dragon dress w/ pale green sash and sleeves cut off -training trousers underneath the dress -she also has these things -same boots as the pic -not in pic but she has a long dark green ribbon holding her lil ponytail thing up!

[shenanigans-academia]

End of Season 3

Last one! Then I’ll shut up until October

Episode 51: Moving Into Dorms

•”I won’t make you worry, Mom” Izuku don’t life to your mother like that

•”She reminds me of my predecessor”

“What why?”

“It’s the hairstyle” All Might asbsjienb

•I LOVE THESE KIDS SO DAMN MUCH

•I genuinely just want like a spin off of the kids in the dorms. Like them just being super powered teenagers living together and being KIDS like. Please. Living with all your friends with powers? What could go wrong...? Think of the shenanigans

•Aizawa laying down the hammer wow

•I. Love. Kaminari. Jirou leave him alone

•BAKUGO AND KIRISHIMA I LOVE THEM OKAY

•Kirishima is Best Boi

•Uraraka falling over from shock the entire time and Iida freaking out is so cute

•MIDORIYA’S ROOM IM CRYING

•Tokoyami’s is badass leave him be he tried so hard

•Mineta no

•Leave Ojiro alone he’s comfortable

•Kaminari’s room is literally any teenage boy room. I knew at least 4 guys who had a room almost exactly like that lmao

•I FORGOT KODA HAD A BUNNY

•The girls are outnumbered. Hate when Mineta’s right

•Bakugo is such an old man he’s already asleep I love a sleepy sad Boi

•Mineta:”I knew I’d get in trouble if just I suggested seeing the girls dorms now I have people to back me up!”

Todoroki:”I’m over it”

•Honestly Kirishima’s isn’t that bad y’all are just mean (except you Uraraka you get it)

•”If I found out my boyfriend had a room like this I’d dump him” HAGAKURE WHAT THE HECK

•Shouji... honey. Your bed isn’t even made. And they thought Ojiro’s was plain

•Okay Sero’s is cool “yup that’s me, always the wild card” god I love you

•Todoroki’s is so cozy

•Sato is so. Sweet lmao we need more of him

•Jirou is so punk I LOVE HER

•Hagakure. So. Pink

•Mina. So. Hot Pink

•Ojiro is so polite he’s so good

•I need Momo’s bed

•LMAO SERO WRAPPED UP MINETA WHEN HE WAS BEING PERVY WE LOVE TAPE BOY

•YEAH SATO WON

•Intervention time

•Tsuyu is so pure she deserves so much

•YALL MADE TSUYU CRY IMMA FIGHT

•KIRISHIMA APOLOGIZING AND SAYING HE WONT MAKE HER SAD AGAIN WARMS MY HEART they’re all so pure

Episode 52: Create Those Ultimate Moves

•Mido forgetting he was in the dorm is kinda cute he’s like wait this isn’t my room at home

•”That’s 2 questions. Calm down” Iida it’s too early for this and Aizawa is a tired man

•Everyone’s so intense. Then Mido is just like...I can’t move my arms what the fuck do you want from me

•”How can I fight with these damaged arms?” Well everybody told you NOT to break your bones, Deku

•ALL MIGHT HAVING A TEACHING FOR DUMMIES BOOK IM CRYING

•Lmao they just blew up Midoriya

•Nobody:

Mido and Uraraka: BOOOOOOBS

•”I’m Tenya Iida, the man you tricked into to being a walking billboard for you at the Sports Festival!”

“NEVER HEARD OF YA” Hatsume has no chill

•Hatsume doesn’t know personal space lmao

•”My quirk is in my legs you mad woman” Iida is done

•AND MIDORIYA JUST REALIZED HE HAD LEGS LMAO

•Mido is so soft for his mom’s costume I love it

•Bakugo is literally trying to kill somebody

•”If I’m so worried about using my arms then I’m use my LEGS” what happens when you break your legs again honey THINK

Episode 53: The Test

•Gotta protect those stupid red shoes

•I live for Kami’s choker. But Kiri you added sleeves. But still. No. Shirt. Honey

•Tsuyu’s hair up is *chef’s kiss*

•The girls talking about boys like regular teenagers I love it

•”ITS A BOY ISN’T IT IS IT MIDORIYA OR IIDA YOURE ALWAYS HANGING OUT WITH THEM WHICH ONE IS IT” Minaaaaaaa lmao she doesn’t mess around

•Cue Uraraka watching Deku lmao “it’s not it” SWEETIE YES IT IISSSSSSS

•Inasa is Iida x1000 and with WAY too much caffeine

•Erasure is too emo for love lmao

•”Think about it Erasure, if I was your wife your future would be a life of constant laughter”

“That sounds like a legitimate nightmare” god I love this grumpy man

•I do love Joke and Aizawa’s “friendship” if you want to call it that lmao

•IT’S DEKUS TWIN

•”This charming pretty boy is going to steal our girls” You’re right Kaminari he is

•”Please date me”

“Shut up” I’m both Ms. Joke and Aizawa

•Aizawa has so much faith in his class he’s like I’m not worried about my little shits just watch

Episode 53: Shiketsu High Lurking

•JIROOUUUUUUU

•”PROTECT THIS PERV” Mina is my favorite 1A girl I’m not sorry

•Shindo is slutty Deku and I love him

•I am the commentator wow

•”I don’t know why but I’m actually getting pretty excited about this” of course you are Midoriya you big quirk nerd

•”In order to help others you have to be able to take care of yourself” DEKU SAID SELF CARE

•”Midoriya what is this enviable situation you fight yourself in” Serooooo why

•We’re gettin some good Sero content thank god

•Lmao there’s a ninja school

Episode 55: Class 1A

•Todoroki is. As you say. A Badass

•Inasa:”Wait what were we talking about!?”

Poor Random Kid:”I don’t know. You just came up and started talking...”

•This is literally Anime Hunger Games

•Shouji holding Tsuyu is. So pure

•SHOUJI YELPING AND TURNING AROUND WHEN MOMO OPENS HER SHIRT TO USE HER QUIRK HES SUCH A GOOD RESPECTFUL BOY

•The power group we don’t deserve: Momo, Jirou, Tsuyu, and Shouji

•KAMI AND KIRI FOLLOWING BAKUGO MAKES ME SO HAPPY they love to annoy him and it works but they work so well together love Bakusquad

•GOOEY KIRI IS GROSS LMAO

•Aizawa basically saying Mido and Bakugo are the leaders who help the class work better the most and that he’s honored to teach them is PEAK

Episode 56: RUSH!

•Sooo Shindo’s a sneaky bastard I see

•”THIS IS WHY EVERYONES TERRIFIED OF YOU YOU’RE WAY TOO HARDCORE” Kaminari’s right and he should say it

•I need more Baku and Kami interactions tbh

•”Those ugly ass gauntlets of his” love sassy Kami

•DEFEND BAKUGO SQUAD IS AIZAWA/KAMI AND KIRI YES I LOVE MY BOYS

•Oof Mido takes no prisoners

•It does suck that if you don’t pass the Provisional License exam do you just never get your Hero License? Do you only get a set amount of times you can take it?

•Iida has grown so much

•Bakugo knows your secrettttt

•Jirou says fuck Kaminari lives lmao

•GO CLASS 1A ALL OUR KIDS MADE IT

•Aizawa shut up you big softie lmao

Episode 57: Rescue Exercises

•Sero why are you starting shit lmao

•Kirishima and Kaminari following Bakugo just because they want to is my favorite

•Momo stopping Uraraka from acting too quickly is great leadership skills. All these kids have what to takes to be heroes they work so well together and in situations like these I love these kids so much

•Shouji and Mineta are a good team because Shouji keeps Mineta in line and I appreciate it

•The fake bystanders are hilarious

Episode 58: Special Episode: Save The World With Love!

•All Might and David Shield (GAY)

•Bakugo why are you like this

•Midoriya is a giant softie romantic and I fucking love it

•All Might as a villain is just funny he gets so into the roll but he’s also just a bad actor lmao

•Mic needs to tone it down but he’s so funny

•I like Cementos a lot and Midnight is an A1 actress go her

•All Might running away and shattering the kids idea of love is so fucKING FUNNY LMAO

•Nice way to set up the movie

•UNLCE MIGHT

•GAY

•The timeline of this episode is throwing me off tho since this is before Midoriya moves into the dorms

•DadMight and Deku family vacation SO CUTE

•”You are the real heroes” THEY’RE SO PURE HOLY SHIT

Episode 59: What’s the Big Idea?

•Bakugo you need to calm down babe

•Gang Orca came to play damn

•Todoroki and Inasa are so chaotic together oh my god

•Gang Orca is just like what is up with these damn kids

•”It was a shock to meet your father because when I looked into his eyes the only thing I could see was an insatiable anger aimed at the entire world” imagine being raised/trying to live with that hatred, Inasa

•Lmao Todoroki triggered Inasa into not coming to UA. Endeavor loves ruining kids lives doesn’t he

•TELL EM OFF MIDO

•Inasa is so. Weird

•”Why didn’t I remember him? He’s so loud and obnoxious” You were so blinded by hate for your father that you were literally blind to other people in your way sweetie

•LMAO JUST CHOKE A CHILD THEY’LL GROW STRONGER

•Highkey love Shindo ngl

•Team Work Boys come on

•Ojiro my fuckin BOYYYY

•OHHH TSUYU THATS MY GIRL WE LOVE POWER MOVES

•Love Hair Dude

•Gang Orca’s actually impressed wow

Episode 60: A Talk About Your Quirk

•Mido passed yesss All Might Jr lol

•Bakugo and Todoroki. Whomp whomp

•B:”Let me see it [review of the exam]”

Kiri:”Ahh how about you worry about yourself”

Kiri’s like please don’t kill me

•Sero:”Hey looks like I’m pretty great at this” I love you Tape Boy

•I love how Iida just picks Mineta up by his cheeks and takes him away from people when he’s being too much lmao Dad Mode Activated

•Inasa and Todo are such an interesting dynamic. I haven’t read the manga but I know the make up exam happened recently and their interactions always make me laugh

•Kinda forgot about Toga but there were hints that it was her the whole time so it’ll be cool to actually meet Camie later on

•Holding his Prov. Hero License:”I have to show my mom and All Might right away” Izuku I love you precious boy

•oh my god One For All shut the fuck UP

•”I won’t be dying any time soon. Especially not by Shigaraki’s hand” if that is foreshaDOWING IM GONNA CRY IT BETTER NOT BE HIROKOSHI

•”We’re gonna have a talk about your quirk” I’m ready to CRY

•Kiri sleeping is so cute I love his hair down. And Iida sleeps stiff as a board I’m laughing reminds me of a friend of mine

•Bakugo please just. Breathe

Episode 61: Deku VS. Kacchan, Part 2

•MY FAVORITE EPISODE YALL

•Kacchan Hon, Deku doesn’t live just to get in your way in life believe or not

•Bakugo DEFINITELY kinda planned on killing Midoriya AHH

•”Why hurt each other when we could just talk things out?”

Bakugo tries to blow him up instead

•The flashbacks are killing me they were so small

•Bakugo’s voice cracking while talking about his anguish and self blame? That shit HURTED

•When he yells like this he looks like a feral wolf oh my god Kacchan

•Kacchan needs a hug. Too bad he doesn’t understand being comforted by other people. So instead Izuku KICKS HIM IN THE FUCKING HEAD WHAT THE FUCK

•Feral Bakugo has been Leveled Up

•”Our relationship to one another is completely screwed up” Oh really Mido what made you think that

•These kids wanna fuckin die

•”It’s obvious you’ve always looked down on me even when we were kids” Bakugo you are a BIG DUMB BLIND BOOMY BOY

•Okay but the animation tho???

•”All Might was my hero but you were the one ACTUALLY IN MY LIFE” WHEN I SAY I SOBBED

•When Bakugo’s crouched and ready to strike, Me:”MA THERES A WEIRD FUCKING CAT OUTSIDE”

•A wild Gremlin is loose Aizawa and All Might come get your kids

•FUCKIN KO BOI

•lmao whoops never mind

•my favorite MHA ship? Bakugou and Therapy

•ALL MIGHT YOU LITERALY JUST WATCHED THEM PUMMEL THE SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER BRUH

•Bakugo blaming himself for All Might’s retirement? Kill me

•”Sometimes I forget that you’re children” apparently everybody does THEY’RE 15/16!!!

•”Don’t you dare lose again” you are. So confusing

•Baku’s little exhale tho he had so much weight on his shoulders this poor boy

•”If this secret ever got out, people will wonder where the power went. You idiot why did you tell me about it before” Deku’s like I can’t win with him lmao

•THEY’RE PROPER RIVALS NOW I LOVE 2 IDIOT CHILDREN

•Aizawa with his hair in a ponytail and black V neck tho? Oof when I say I love a man...

•Aizawa is done with this class and these 2 problem children in particular lmao

Episode 62: A Season For Encounters

•My boy Twice

•”Your face makes me want to puke” you get used to it rando villain dude...or noT DABI NO

•Dabi. Babe. Bruh. What the fuck

•Twice and Ectoplasm have similar quirks...TODOROKI WHERE ARE YOU

•Overhaul. I’m gonna hate you so much I can tell. Especially for Season 4 I KNOW YOU you creepy Plague Doctor Asshole

•Kirishima trying to comfort Todoroki is adorable

•MONOMA WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS LEAVE PONY GIRL ALONE DON’T DRAG HER INTO YOUR BULLSHIT LMAO

•SHINSOUUUUUU “looks like he’s bulked up a bit since the Sports Festival” my boy gettin BUFF since he knows Midoriya could’ve killed him if he wanted to lmao

•Kami playing with Ojiro’s tail gives me life

•...You ain’t nothin but a Hound Dog Lmao

•BIG THREE. BIG THREE. BIG. THREE. MIRIOOOOOOO

•God I love Present Mic

•Sero and Mineta are asking to die I swear

•IIDA CALLING MIDO “HOUSE ARREST” AND DOING A FUNNY VOICE IM CRYING I love sassy Iida where has he been

•The first time I saw the scene of Mirio sticking his head through stuff to scare Mido was on Tumblr before I watched MHA and I was CACKLING AND CONFUSED

•The broccoli head was strong in that frame

•THE. BIG. THREE. AHHHH

Episode 63: Unrivaled

•Sometimes I forget how fucking gross Mineta is. Then he opens his mouth and it all comes flooding back

•”He didn’t do that great a job at the Sports Festival last year. Definitely left a strong impression” being buck ass naked will do that lmao

•I relate to Amajiki Tamaki so. Fuckin. Much. I feel you sweetheart

•LET! SHOUJI! TALK!

•Kaminari you dumb

•”The futures gonna be!?... Awful” Wow. Mirio gets it

•Tamaki if you could get off the wall you could do what Mirio’s trying to teach these kids I love an anxious boy

•Big Tough Boi Kiri is both badass and soft I love a Rock

•Aaaannd Mirio traumatized a bunch of kids with his dick. Mostly Jirou lol

•Aizawa your whole class was just murdered by a wild naked man

•Mirio has a baby face TinTin but is fucking JACKED

•”I tried to make it so that you didn’t see my willy. Sorry if you did” Mirio you’re so cute I’m going to bawl in Season 4 I’m not ready

•Mirio walks so funny

•...who the fuck is Sir???

•Kiri bringing Baku his trash: “Sure I’ll take it!”

Anybody else bringing Baku their trash:some kind of aggressive phrase

•Oh, you. I heard about you. I know what happens to you... this is gonna hurt, huh?

Whelp that’s the end of my rewatch. I can’t wait for Season 4! Is it October yet???

[thedistantstorm]

Phoenix Protocol 02

A Zavala x Female Guardian work.

Summary: When the Traveler’s Light was returned to the Guardians after the defeat of the Cabal, it did not manifest itself the same in everyone. Miyu, an Awoken Warlock, finds herself struggling with her abilities, her Light feeling different and not her own. With her Vanguard preoccupied with grief and all eyes turned to the Reef, she finds herself turning to an unlikely source in an attempt to rediscover her connection to the Light and define what it means for her as a Dawnblade.

[Previously]

Ikora always wants more.

By research, Ikora actually means to discuss Miyu stopping hers. Focusing on more important matters. The Reef. Uldren. Miyu wants nothing to do with any of it, and that is why she had willingly offered her services detaining escapees from the Prison of Elders despite not actually wanting to do that at all.

It gives Miyu time to actually complete some more secretive research on the side: why her Light is messed up. Why it feels like when she received hers back, after the war, it felt like it belonged to someone else, the person she used to be but wasn’t any more, coiling uneasily beneath her skin. She’s gone to Io. The Shard. Both under the guise of hunting escapees, but also to seek answers.

Neither place does and very day, the solar sword is more difficult to grasp, wings of flame beyond her reach. Telling her Vanguard that didn’t work. Ikora didn’t understand. The Void has always been at her fingertips, for as long as she’s been connected to the Traveler. With that in mind, Miyu attempts to adapt her argument, listens to Ikora insisting that she push herself and hopes that eventually either her own efforts or Ikora’s reasoning pays off.

Ikora still demands an answer, though. Wants Miyu to give her something. So, Miyu presents her personal thoughts. Based on her research, she finds that her connection to the Light is strongest while meditating or calling upon her abilities in the midst of a healing rift. Ikora is not impressed. Miyu isn’t expecting her to be. She tells Ikora the truth - that she does not believe offensive maneuvers are her true calling, not anymore. It’s something she’s believed for a while now. She can hear Ghost cheering her on in her mind for being honest - for expressing her opinion. That was rare. Miyu hated doing so, especially when she knew it was going to be an unpopular one.

Ikora, in response, cites battles, strikes, accolades. Ikora always measures a Warlock’s worth in accolades.

Miyu measures a person - Guardian, Human, Exo, Awoken, whatever - in terms of character. Heart. Sometimes she thinks that’s why she just doesn’t fit in with her more intellectual colleagues, aside from not being sneaky and clever like the Hidden or having half the honors or titles that Ikora’s top-tier Warlocks have. Put a sword in her hands and Miyu can cut down almost anyone or anything. But have her infiltrate a group and act a certain way, play a role of some sort? She’ll fail right away.

She is not an actress. She’s a Guardian. And to her knowledge, the definition of a Guardian is someone who protects. There has to be some merit in that, she’s told Ghost, and he - her best friend and most honest critic - agrees.

Ikora - Miyu thinks - must not think much of her. Still, the Void user pulls her back from her thoughts with praise. “Grey,” She says, “You are so much more than you give yourself credit for. You need to push yourself harder. Do not give up. I know you are better than this.”

It’s times like this that she wonders. Does Ikora know what her name is, really? Does Ikora even care? Miyu is beginning to think she’s just a faceless person, a puzzle that is challenging and therefore worth the more esteemed woman’s time. Ikora gave her hardly any face-time before the war, before she had these issues.

Regardless, the younger Warlock attempts to retain her composure. “Thank you. However, I would like to pursue my research on a more defensive Solar ability,” Miyu says, barely a whisper of defiance. “I believe it is possible.”

Ikora shakes her head. “Leave shielding for the Titans. A Warlock’s rift is not meant to protect. It is meant to heal or empower, and only briefly. Attempting to augment it is a waste of Light better spent on dispatching our enemies.”

Miyu sighs, but nods. “What would you have me do, then?”

The Warlock Vanguard crosses her arms, turns her back to Miyu and looks out at the City. “Take the most difficult Strikes and Patrols I can give you. Challenge yourself and you will find yourself calling upon your abilities more. If that does not help you to realign yourself with your Light,” She trails off, eyes narrowing on a fixed point beyond the horizon, “I will explore other paths. Your research is unnecessary at this time. If you require a project, I will send you to collect information from the Reef.”

The younger Warlock bows. “I understand,” Miyu says, schooling her features into something blank, and trying to sound collected and grateful, not detached and indifferent. “Thank you.”  This won’t help. She’s already tried this, Miyu thinks, but tries not to let it bleed into her demeanor.

“You’re welcome, Grey. You may go.”

Miyu turns her back to Ikora Rey, but waits until she is nearly to Banshee’s stall in the main portion of the Tower to let the frustration show on her face, a very quiet growl escaping her. Ghost appears at her side immediately. “I can’t believe she wouldn’t listen to you,” He says, sounding even more irritated than Miyu is. “I’m sorry,” He apologizes to her. “But I think you should keep working on it.”

“So do I.”

Ghost bobs, spinning around her in a wide circle of disbelief. “You do?”

“Yes.” Silver eyes cant over toward her Ghost’s single teal one. “I’ll do what she asks, and continue my research on my own. What else can I do?”

He sighs. “I know. I just wish it had gone differently.” He taps her cheek. “If you could have convinced her to watch you summon your-”

“We asked that the last two times and she refused. It’s okay, Ghost. I’m used to it being just you and me.” She reaches up to cup his small being with her hands, and holds him close. “Sometimes, I think it’s better that way.”

Ghost nuzzles against her abdomen in a return of their improvised hug, and wonders not for the first time if she considers leaving. He knows she doesn’t feel like she belongs here, that she’s trying so hard to fit into the roles dictated by social norms. Most of her fellow Guardians hurt her with their lack of understanding, their taunts. Most of them do not know how it feels to have their Light feel foreign to them. Still, she remains as gentle as she can, does her best to be kind to everyone she meets. It’s no wonder they don’t live within the confines of the Tower. The City folk are far kinder to his wayward Guardian than her own brothers and sisters. It’s a shame.

-/

Three days later, news hits the Tower. Cayde-6's killer has been eliminated. Almost everyone is celebrating. Miyu uses the general population's distraction to her advantage, slipping out to the training grounds recently restored near the base of the wall. There should be free space for her to experiment unseen, a rarity in the middle of the day.

She discards her gauntlets and lets the heavy, flame-retardant sleeves of her robes hang down over her palms. Pulls her sword from its sheath at her side. Ghost flutters around her, cones spinning silently in anticipation a safe distance away. She drops to her starting position, kicks off.

What she does not have in stealth or strength, she makes up with in skill. Some of it, Ghost believes, may have been written upon her from her first life, muscle memory and reflexes allowing her to pick up swordplay far more easily than ever anticipated. But not all of it. She worked hard to hone her skills, consulted archives and videos, took every ounce of criticism to heart.

He enjoys watching her dance throughout the training arena with her blade slashing out, parrying imaginary blows, each move fluid yet moving with unbelievable discipline and precision. However, he knows it will come soon. Can feel the tingle of Light, the increasing heat. She’s going to try without the rift. She always does, first. When her mind is clear, when she’s reached that place of blank-white concentration.

The Warlock sheaths her physical blade in a motion like lightning, before reaching out for the heat in the air, calling upon the Light in her soul to manifest the sword that answers the call of her heart. It always looks so effortless from afar.

It isn’t, though. He watches her throw the first one, scorching the dirt. Watches her call upon the second. Watches the flames spiral up her arm, paying no heed to her robes. Watches her grit her teeth and give form to the energy in her hand. This one doesn’t go as far, doesn’t track like the first.

The third fizzles into ash, blackens her fingertips. She screams, drops to her knees, slams her fists into the dirt. He doesn’t approach. He knows she wants to feel this, to commit it to memory - as if she hasn’t already, he thinks, but allows it to continue - and use it to fuel her. It’s how Ikora believes she will improve. Miyu doesn’t believe in it, but she tries anyway. He knows she’d try anything, to feel like herself again.

This is torture, but it’s therapeutic. She needs to let it out, to blaze, like the fiery powers locked inside her, refusing to come out the way they’re supposed to. The way they always had, before the Cabal had ripped them away by force.

Any changes in her personality, since the war, have been subtle. He notices the way her swordhand twitches after she lets the blades burn through her nerves. Can tell that where she might say ten words once, she now says six or five. Notices that where she’d try to be social once in a while, it takes a great deal of encouragement to convince her to approach a friendly face.

Ghost’s cones push out and then back in, spiraling around him in surprise as someone appears on his radar. Someone approaching, quickly. At a run. Miyu is pushing herself up, the rush of a healing rift spiraling out from beneath her. She doesn’t notice.

Another attempt is made to call upon the sword. She growls and braces her sword hand - gripping her left wrist with her right hand. Flames spit and spiral up both arms this time, fighting for purchase against the healing properties of the rift.

“Mi- Miyu?”

The small AI turns at the sound of the familiar voice. Oh, no.

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