TITLE: Girl's Night Out
CHAPTER: 1
"You know when I feel inwardly beautiful? When I am with my girlfriends and we are having a 'goddess circle'." -Jennifer Aniston
Except for the patter of rain and the distant sound of thunder, the Tower Square is quiet. Without the usual breeze snapping the banners around and the continual engine noise from the ships landing and taking off the Tower Square is unusually deserted. The postal clerk leaned forward to look around and logically concluded the storm had driven the Guardians inside. Humming happily to herself Kadi 55-30 opened a private comm channel.
"Done, done, done!"
Tess Everis responded first, her accented voice rising with excitement, "Let's go, ladies!"
"Who's turn is it to pick up Eris?" Ikora Rey asked. "It's someone else's turn. Took me thirty minutes to talk her off the ledge last time. I missed the stripper."
"One of y'all get'er. It's too far to walk from here. I'll go down and get us a table," Amanda Halliday responded. "'Sides I got to wash this engine oil off my hands."
"Make sure it's near the stage and the jukebox!" Ikora shouted her usual decorum slipping by an octave or two.
"Yeah, yeah, Ik. I won't forget."
Eva sighed loud enough for them to hear, "I'll get Eris. But I will not listen to any more of that, 'when they took my eyes' horror."
"Why're we even inviting her?" Amanda asked, her strident voice cutting through the chatter. "She never has a good time and doesn't drink. Closes her eyes when the stripper comes out and can't talk about anything but Crota. She's worse than the Guardians. It's always, Crota's sword, soul, minions and I don't remember what else. Probably something about Crota's dick, too."
Eva clucked like a hen. Not that any of them had ever seen or heard a chicken. All the same, it sounded like a scold all the same, and they quieted.
"It does her good to off that ledge and second, I doubt very much of Eris remembers anything about dicks."
"Or what they're used for." Amanda piped up then her voice broke up as she began laughing. "that must be why they have sword bearers. To carry Crota's… You get it, right?"
No one laughed.
"I'm closing my shop, and I'm buying, so hurry up," Tess replied, interrupting their usual chatter. Not that she had anything against Eris. She was an odd little thing though. Although they were all tired of her stories, they always invited her to come along. You couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her.
Tess waived to Eva when she saw her walking toward Eris and turned left to go downstairs. She wanted to drink, dance with someone handsome and have a good time. Tonight she'd be pickier about who she accepted a drink from though. That last Hunter had been good looking, but all he could talk about what the merits of Blade Dancer, versus Gunslinger. And one more word about Gjallarhorn. Guys were sure funny about their weapons.
Kadi joined her at the top of the stairs. "Hallo Kadi. How was business today?"
"Rude, rude, rude," was all she managed before clattering down the stairs ahead of the Awoken female.
Tess flipped her purple scarf back over her shoulder and skipped down the stairs after her.
Above on the Plaza's ledge, Eva approached Eris slowly and for good reason. When the woman had that green orb in her hands and arms raised to the sky…Well, not even the Guardians would approach her. Usually, the crazier Eris acted the crazier the bounty mission.
"Eris? The other women are headed to the bar and we want you to join us."
Eris slowly lowered her head and turned her sightless eyes to Eva. "Leave? Until we find Crota, we are all just…"
"...water racing down the drain, I know. But not tonight. Crota is taking a break this evening. Look around." Damn, that was rude, and Eva Lavonte was never rude. She stopped herself and changed her tone. "The Guardians are all inside. Come on, let's get you out of this weather."
With a skeptical gaze around the Plaza, Eris finally relented and began walking carefully toward Eva.
"Eris, you know they won't let you take that thing in the bar."
"But, it's…"
"Put it away. That green orb is a thrill kill. You know how those Guardians are. The drunker they get, the more paranoid they are about any kind sort of green light."
"But if they wish to discuss, Crota?"
Eva linked her arms with Eris. "They won't and we won't bring it up. Now let's go." Eris finally tucked the orb away and with a gentle tug, Eva got the strange woman to follow her downstairs to the bar.
They made their way to the lower lounge by following the loud music. Someone was already feeding money into the new jukebox, and several Guardians were up dancing. Eva noticed Kadi climbing onto the bar. That robot loved to dance. The strange thing was the robot actually knew how to dance and right now she was shaking her brass booty for all she was worth. But when one of the customers tossed money at her, Eva had seen enough. Eva led Eris by the bar and picked up her usual shot of tequila.
"Kadi 55-30! You get down from there right now!" Why do I have to be the mother around here, Eva wondered, tossing back a shot of tequila before asking for a second and joining the others. Maybe, if she could get Eris to drink a shot.
Tess leaned back in her chair, watching the dancers, scanning for a likely partner. She remembered what Kadi said as they walked down the stairs together and leaned toward her.
"Was someone rude to you today, Kadi?"
"Always say, whenever you need me again, Guardian. They never say, 'thank you' 'How are you?' Rude, rude, rude."
All the ladies nodded in agreement. With her eyes on a well built Titan in red armor, Tess shot back, "I speak to them every time they walk past my shop. Do they stop and talk to me, ask me a question, take a moment to pass the time of day or ask me how I'm doing? No. Always more important things to do and off they go. They seem to spend a lot of time with you Eris. What's your secret?"
"I fear they laugh at me."
Ikora slid into the seat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "They don't laugh at you, honey. Not my Warlocks. Cayde's not as strict with his Hunters as I am, though. Now drink your drink. Let's have some fun."
"Yes," Eris replied with conviction. "I will have a drink."
Eva handed her a shot and the woman tossed it back without a thought. They all froze. No one had ever seen her take a drink before. Suddenly an exotically dressed Warlock stood at their table.
"Eris, will you dance with me?" The handsome man with blue eyes and black hair curling around his collar inquired with a courtly bow.
"You speak to me of dancing? When they took my eyes… when Crota stole my light..."
"Yes, I'm talking about dancing." The handsome man laughed good-naturedly and lifted her gently by the arm. "Come on, now. You need to have some fun."
No one spoke as they watched the Warlock pull Eris close and spin her carefully around the dance floor.
"Well, butter my butt an' call me a biscuit. Ain't that just the last thing y'all expected to see?"
Eva tossed back another tequila, "Daaaaaammmmmnnnnn."
While Tess watched Eris moving around the dance floor, a shadow crossed over her, blocking the lights shining from the bar.
"Hello. It's Tess, right?"
Tess turned from watching the Titan in the red armor to the masculine voice behind her.
"Would you like to dance, Tess?" An impeccably dressed Warlock in black robes asked and bowed over her hand.
He was good looking, she'd give him that. With silver-white hair pulled back from his face with a leather tie. A scar bisecting his right cheek only added to the mysterious air of the man. She felt herself relax against the possessive arm around her waist as he led her to the dance floor. Expertly weaving them in and out of the other dancers, she felt herself sinking into a mesmerizing pair of amber colored eyes. Nice.
"I haven't seen you around here before." Brilliant, Tess. Just brilliant, she cursed herself for the breathy girlish sound of her voice.
He shrugged his broad shoulders, "Been busy." Then he smiled an endearingly apologetic smile and she felt herself melt into his arms.
"I understand. You're here now though, right?"
"I am and I'm dancing with the prettiest girl in the place."
A blush stained her light blue skin and she turned her head to try and hide her sudden shyness. He chuckled and pressed her closer with a possessive hand.
"I hear it's pretty dangerous out there." Oh, for the love of the Traveller, stop behaving like a teenager.
"Me and Gjallarhorn do just fine together."
Tess froze. Here it comes. No, no, no.
"Not much we can't take down out there," he continued tugging the scarf from her head and neck. "That's better," he grinned. "Why just yesterday me and Gjallarhorn stopped those heathen monsters from waking Crota's soul. Damn fools. When are they gonna learn? I'd already destroyed that damn sword of his."
"That's very interesting, but I…?"
"The name's White Wolf, ma'am."
"Uh, Mister Wolf…"
"No need to get formal now, pretty lady."
She noticed he'd moved them to the back of the bar where stacks of crates now held them in their own private space. He stopped her by pushing her gently against the wall. After removing his gloves he braced his hands on each side of her face.
With his nose drifting over her ear he said, "This morning, I took down Crota himself. Just me, The Last Word and Gjallahorn"
"You're the last word, alright," her voice dripping with undisguised sarcasm. I think I'd like to join my friends now."
"Ever been out to the Reef?" Ignoring both her comment and her tone. "I could take you there. I'll let my Ghost drive and you and I can get to know each other. Got a real fancy jumpship. Real leather seats and if you're real nice to me I might get you an audience with the Queen herself."
His fingers curled into her hair and he cupped her cheek with his other hand. She stayed still while his fingers slowly moved down her neck and over her shoulders.
"Though tonight I thought you might be the one to reward me for all my hard work."
The insistent fingers moved lower.
"Oh, I think I have a reward for you, you big brave Warlock," she cooed while her knee connected to his groin. His eyes widened and to his credit he didn't scream, only closed his eyes and slid to the floor.
"Hey!" Came a shout behind her. "This blue thing just took down White Wolf. WTF, bitch?"
Tess stood her ground, she'd had enough of these arrogant Guardians. Push come to shove, she could dirty up this Titan's fancy red armor. The Titan charged toward her. "That's my partner! You'll pay for that."
"No, no, no, too expensive. Delivery aborted." The Titan found himself elevated off the ground by Kadi with her hand on his collar. His eyes widened further when Ikora Ray placed herself between Tess and the red Titan.
"I can fight my own battles, Ik."
"Well, I certainly won't watch one of my Warlocks make a damn fool out of himself."
Both women groaned and rolled their eyes when they heard a familiar voice, "Hey! What's going on down here? Heard I'm missing all the fun."
Ikora turned an impatient look on the Hunter Vanguard. "Everything's fine Cade."
Ignoring everyone and everything around him, Cade went straight to Tess. "You okay, Miss Everis?" He asked and gallantly offered his arm. "I think that Titan'll be out for awhile, may I escort you back to your table?"
"Look at me!" The triumphant shout came from Amanda, cutting through the general noise and nicely taking everyone's attention away from two Titans.
Laying on her back across the bar, while another Guardian poured beer straight down her throat. Everyone around them was counting down, "10, 9, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" Amanda jumped up and pumped her fist in the air.
"Beat that!" she shouted triumphantly and landed on the floor with a thump.
Ikora took a quick review, over in the corner was Kadi and the red Titan, Tess and Cayde were sitting at the table with their head's together. Now where in the hell was Eris?