Destcember
Prompt #1 Exodus
Red lined the sky as early evening fell upon the Last City. Two figures slipped out from a discrete entrance at the base of the Wall. Both wore hunter gear, however, the female hunter's gear was mismatched, abused, and worn from years of rough living. A titan's mark hung off her hip. She walked ahead of her companion towards the forest with a determined pace, but a closer glance would reveal the woman struggling to keep her composure. The Hunter Vanguard reached forward to squeeze her shoulder lightly. The woman grasped the offered hand, taking what comfort she could from it.
The trees rustled to their right. A tall caped Fallen shimmered into existence. Cayde's hand went immediately to his handcannon.
"I seek peace, hunter," the eliskni captain interjected quickly, his speech easily understandable between the insect-like clicks coming from his throat. All four of his arms spread out from his side, open palms held low. Empty.
"It's alright, Cayde," the female hunter, Jahara, said, exhaustion hung in her voice. "Brelisk is my son."
"Right, sure," the Hunter Vangaurd said unconvinced. "Sorry, I'm used to exchanging bullets, not salutations."
The reunited mother and son embraced. Brelisk tucked his human mother's head beneath his chin, nuzzling his rebreather into her auburn hair. He muttered soft words of apology in his native tongue.
"No, this was my own doing," Jahara said, pulling away slightly to look up at Brelisk. "I should have never kept you and the others a secret from Z-" Jahara choked back sob, struggling to finish, " -from the Commander."
She buried her face into Brelisk's chest, silently losing the fight with her grief. Brelisk held her tight, wrapping his green cape around her protectively for good measure.
Cayde-6 crossed his arms and looked away awkwardly to grant them some privacy. After a moment, he questioned Brelisk pointedly, "You do have a ship, right?"
Brelisk shook his head, "Guardians destroyed it as I was found. Called my brothers and sisters I did, after mother came to my aid." The eliskni captain glanced down. Jahara had not moved yet while in his embrace. "House of Bear bring a skiff in two or three days time for us."
Cayde turned his electric blue optics in the general direction that Brelisk and Jahara were traveling. Felwinter's Peak stood somewhere in those mountains beyond the horizon. "Look I'll see if I can drop a word in with Saladin about letting you guys hide out in the abandoned village at the base of the Iron Temple's mountain. Anything you want me to pass on to Big Blue for ya?"
Jahara shook her head, "Just that I'm sorry...for everything."
"Sure. You take care, Jahara, you hear?" Cayde-6 called out, as the pair started their long trek on into the woods. Jahara glanced over her shoulder with a weak nod. "And you." The Exo gestured to Brelisk. "You better watch out for our best gal. Otherwise I'll be introducing you to Ace." He patted the handcannon at his side for good measure.
Cayde stood vigil as the pair departed out of sight. Brelisk's two right arms encircled the female titan tightly as they walked, while Jahara laid her arm across her stomach instinctively.