Credit to usuallycat whose story gave me an idea that festered like an untreated splinter. This isn't my first story on FFN, but it will be the first non-short story. I'm always looking to improve my writing so any criticism and messages are appreciated.
Destiny 2: White Canvas
I cherish peace with all of my heart. I don't care how many men, women, and children I need to kill to get it. -Peacemaker
Koral District, The Last City 12:34 pm
July 19, 3498 A.D
The busy street was packed with people, the warm midday sun beaming down unimpeded by clouds. Vibrant clothing clashed against the similarly colorful wares that peddlers were selling from their street-side stalls.
The oily smells of fried food mixed with the earthy scent of fresh produce along with the acrid smell of smoke and the sweet smell of perfume all mixed in the air. A woman wearing a bright red shawl inspected vegetables at a stand while her two kids stood off to the side, sending longing glances at the skewers of shrimp and chicken spinning slowly over an open fire at the adjacent stall.
"Anything would be better than zucchini", the brother whispered to his sister.
Looking at their mother, especially the green poison in her hand, she nodded and sighed. The mother overhearing the two paused her inspection and looked down before smiling, pinching the cheek of her daughter and saying.
"Oh stop whining you two. Later on when you have perfect skin you'll thank me"
"Moooom! Stop it!" she whined.
Brushing her mother off, she pouted off to the side.
What a stupid name. Zucchini. It even looks ugly.
Voices filled the air, shoppers haggling prices, riverside captains advertising their services. Near one stall filled with colorful trinkets and clothing, a shout of fake anger singled itself out.
An apologetic counter offer immediately followed. An upset ultimatum. A counter ultimatum. Then, a grumbling acceptance and two men parted, one with a jersey of the local football team, the Riverside Raptors, and the other with a handful of low grade glimmer. Both looked back at the other before shifting their attention downwards admiring their trade with a sneer on their lips, thinking themselves to be the smarter one and the other an idiot.
Flowing water, blue as glimmer, splashed against the walls of the canal, appearing to be just in reach of spilling over, kept in check only by the advanced canal dams . Crossing the water were bridges, wide and low, with brightly colored railings allowing people to cross the water. A couple stood in the middle of one sharing a chaste kiss, giggling and conversing in the way the love-stricken do.
On days like this, Cayde-6 liked to just bask in the ambiance of the city. To just grab a delicious toasted pastrami sandwich from that old butcher's stand and mingle with the people he worked so hard to protect. Seeing the citizens of the Last City go about their lives almost made him grateful for being the Hunter Vanguard. Almost.
He took a bite out of his sandwich as he started down the street, flawlessly mingling with the flow of people. Here, clad in a black face covering and a long brown cloak, he was just another Exo. Not a leader of the Last City or a protector of humanity. Good.
Pushing past a couple haggling over the price of a watch he made his way past a small stage where a band was playing a lively tune. Pausing to drop a small cube of high grade glimmer in a guitar case his thoughts turned towards his reason for being here.
See, contrary to popular opinion, Cayde took his job very seriously. Herding the Hunters, assigning them to fireteams, and getting them to do nightfalls and strikes was akin to herding cats. He was constantly contacting the independent settlements out in the decayed wilds of Earth, calling outposts set on the different planets in the solar system, and requesting teams of Titans and Warlocks to find his Hunters and bring them back.
He took another bite of his sandwich, wiping a spot of mustard that had gotten on his chin plate.
It was no wonder that the stresses of his job got to him at times and he had to take a break. Zavala and Ikora always got mad at him when he went off on one of his escapades. Whatever. They loved him. They just didn't know it.
Cayde finished the last of his sandwich and threw the crinkled wrapping into a nearby garbage can.
Really, it was unfortunate that on a beautiful day like this he was on a mission. The Exo was looking for someone.
He passed a stall selling hair products before stopping and admiring the merchandise. Picking up two hair combs, a grin lit up his face. These would make the perfect gifts for Zavala and Ikora.
As he admired his new purchases, he reached out with his senses. He felt everything around him. The distortions of the air that people made walking past, their lungs filling with breath, and something else. Behind him and approaching.
There was a lack of…presence. No telltale breathing of someone trying to be silent. No sound of their feet crunching against the ground. Something just felt off. It was a feeling hard to explain to non-Hunters as Cayde often found. When senses and logic told you nothing was there but your mind said otherwise. He dug deeper, stretching himself to the limit until…There it was! A spark of light, so very small. Well hidden.
Ahhh, so that's what it is. Cayde smiled. Pax had gotten good. Very good.
"They won't find that funny, you know." A soft, emotionless voice droned.
"Nah, but I will." He turned around. "What are you doing here anyway? This isn't a place you would normally hang out."
Two eyes of burnished gold, hidden behind a dull lifeless face stared back. "You were looking for me here." It wasn't a question.
"I was. I have another mission for you." the Exo said, turning his back and walking down the market.
The Pax dutifully followed. "Details?"
Cayde waved his hand, "Later. But if there's anyone who should deal with this, it should be you."
"Why?"
"As I said, later. Oh and by the way, good job with your approach. Nearly got me there."
Pax just nodded.
The Tower, The Last City 2:30pm
July 19, 3498 A.D
Faith stretched out her arms and legs, her black hair flowing messily on the couch she was laid on. Small crackles and pops from her legs sounded as she pushed another handful of popcorn into her mouth, butter smearing all over her hands. As she crunched on her snack, she flipped channels on the holographic tv.
"Today will be a steady 31 degrees-"
Click
"Traffic is high on the 170 so be sure-"
Click
"You're fat! You need to lose weight! Here's the best-"
Click
"Action! Drama! Adventure! All yours with-"
Click
A quiet vrrt sounded as the door opened, as she thumbed the remote once more. Pushing herself up, she looked for a napkin before shrugging and wiping her hand on the couch. A thump of something hit the counter and the rustle of a cloak being placed on a hanger before a sigh.
"Really?"
Faith yawned, "I know, I can't believe nothing's on the tv."
"No, "really" as in you using my couch to wipe your hand."
"Oh that," Faith waved her still buttery hand, "it's nothing. I wouldn't worry about it."
"Of course you wouldn't, it's not your couch."
"Mmhm."
Click
Click
Pax sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Why're you even here? Didn't Zavala give you a new apartment?"
"He did, but it's so empty. Plus you have food here."
Pax just shook his head and walked over to the couch
Click
"Move, you're taking too much space."
Tilting her head, she looked up at Pax's face. Clean shaven, young face with indicative of being resurrected somewhere near his early 20's. His signature golden eyes stared back, his black hair cut short and features set in an expression of exasperation and humor. No sign of "that" face.
Shifting her posture she sat up on the couch and ever so casually reached for another handful of popcorn.
Click
"Ahem. So, you uh…you got another job?"
Pax's face blinked. For a split second, his face once full of life and personality had been completely blank. It came and went so fast that if Faith hadn't seen it before she might have doubted it had even happened. The couch creaked as he sat down.
Yep, it's still there.
Click
"How'd you find out?"
"I have my ways. So what is it?"
Pax's brow furrowed, "You know I can't tell you."
"Yeah yeah, OPSEC and all that. So… Nightfall?"
He sighed, "I can't tell you."
"Bounty?"
"No…"
"Raid?"
"No, why do you care so much anyways…"
"No reason. Just worried is all."
"You? Worried? Please."
Faith just sighed.
Click
"In other news, the Travelers Chosen does it once again. Reports from the Tower are coming in that our favorite Titan took down an entire Ketch all by herself. Stay tuned for exclusive footage of her daring deed!"
Pax whistled. "Damn, you took down an entire ketch? By yourself?"
Faith rolled her eyes.
"Nah, I had Zelt and Marrie. The news just likes to dramatize everything."
He nodded, "They aren't gonna be happy about being left out of the story."
"Nah, they're used to it, 'sides, I wouldn't work with them if that's what they cared about."
And it was true, she made sure that anyone she ran missions with did so not for popularity or glory. While she did love her status as the "Traveler's Chosen", god did that name sound cool, it did have some unfortunate downsides, chief among them being that few people wanted to work with her. Turns out not being given credit for risking your life turned people off from her. In a perfect world it would be different, unfortunate.
"Right, well I bought some steak and coleslaw if you still have room."
"Right now?"
"Uh yeah, it's about dinner time."
Kara craned her neck over to look at the clock. "Huh, so it is. I didn't notice."
"You didn't notice? Wait, how long have you been here exactly? And how many bags did you eat?"
"I dunno…Hey about that steak! Let's eat it!" Faith said, praying that she successfully changed the subject.
"I mean, we still need to cook it."
"Great! Let's do that," she chirped, quickly standing up and walking towards the kitchen.
Pax just sat there for a second, staring after her smiling. His hud pinged with a message from Cayde. Taking a look at it, he brushed it aside as he got up. Work could wait.