Chapter 1: A new Beginning
Cortana woke up with a large stretch. She looked over to the left to see John was not there. She assumed he had gone to the gym. She slowly got out of bed and made her way to her closet. She picked out a cute bright pink tank top, black jeans and a pair of converse. After changing and straightening her hair she made her way down the hall. It was Sunday so she had the day off work, she worked as a librarian at the local library.
She enjoyed her job; it reminded her of her job in the war. She loved to research and look things up so the job was perfect for her. She entered the kitchen to find a note confirming her suspicions, John was at the gym. He was already ripped but it wasn't good enough for him.
Their usual routine was go to work, she would sometimes go shopping and he the gym then come home for some alone time. But recently he was becoming more distant, like he was hiding something from her. At one point she thought he was cheating but that didn't sound like John. How well did she know John? She went to war with him for years but then he was silent. He almost had a poker face, only she knew the real John, kind, caring and so many more wonderful traits.
She tried to talk to Selene about it but she was busy at work. Except Cortana knew that wasn't the truth. Since the day she was wearing the Over seer's jacket she knew the two women were a thing. City 10 was far away from the town but not so much that the trip was implausible. She had thought it was Selene that the Chief was cheating with but she was not his type and vice versa. Also there 1 year Anniversary was approaching, she had to get him something nice.
John didn't like lying to Cortana but he was preparing for their 1 year Anniversary. He had to make it a night to remember. He strolled down the street wearing a pair of black trousers, a light green shirt and a black leather Jacket. His blondish brown hair was also spiked up; he thought it made him look younger. It did he looked about 29 and that is with all the time he spent in Cryo. He turned the corner onto Skirmish Street.
He headed towards a pub called The Heretic's Sword. There was a sign in the window saying 'Elites welcome'. John sighed and walked inside. The bar was towards the right, there was a pool table on the far left corner and Men's and Woman's toilets at the far back wall. It was Farley empty, probably due to the sign. Sangheili's or as humans called them Elite's were not very popular among mankind.
Even after the truce with the elite separatist's not all human's liked them. There was only one elite there the other's were all human. John approached the elite and sat down. "Thel 'Vadam, long time no see" The Elite turned to face the Spartan.
"It has been a long time Spartan" the Arbiter smiled or at least the Elite equivalent and took another sip from his glass. "So why have you summoned me" John laughed The Arbiter always had to be so…so formal.
"Thel you once told me that once….before the war you had….a wife" The Arbiter winced as painful memories flooded back. "I understand if you don't…'
"You want help proposing to the A.I?" said The Arbiter bluntly, John was shocked.
"How did you…'
"It is obvious what with your Anniversary coming up"
John sighed "well I thought with the similarities of our culture's…'
"You have said enough, I will help you, do you have a ring, I understand that is vital to human marriage ceremonies"
John reached in his pocket and pulled out a small red velvet box. He opened it revealing a sparkling gold ring with a diamond on. The Arbiter laughed "You Spartan's go all out. No?" John laughed with him.
"It is less expensive than it look's It was actually quite a bargain" John closed the box and deposited it back into his jacket pocket. "
"Do not worry Spartan it is my duty as a friend to help you. Sadly now I must go as the ambassador of the Sangheili's I don't get much personal time. I will see you soon Spartan" The Elite stood up and passed the bartender some cash.
John nodded "Thank you Arbiter"
"And thank you Demon" replied Thel as he exited the pub. John turned around to see the other guys sniggering at him "What you looking at!" shouted John in reply. The men just returned to their game of pool. "That's what I thought" John looked back to the Bartender "One Strongbow"
"Coming up" replied the Bartender. John took a book out of his pocket and skimmed through the pages. It was his journal, it was home to his most intermit inner thoughts. Then suddenly a picture fell out, he picked it up and looked at it. It was him and Cortana; he smiled fondly and looked up at the barman to thank him for the drink. He then took a long sip and breathed a refreshing sigh.
The Arbiter slowly rounded the corner and looked to make sure no one was looking. He then pulled up his sleeve and tapped on a gauntlet like device. A small ship appeared and the Arbiter quickly hurried inside.
Rtas 'Vadum or as he is better known, the shipmaster bowed. "I assume it went well"
The Arbiter smiled "We have a new mission"
"What is it sir?"
"We are wedding organizers"
Rtas raised his eyebrow or again the elite equivalent. "I will explain" The Arbiter walked through into the control room.
"Oh ok, wait no sorry did you say wedding?"