Smile for Me
Somewhere in the Tower watching over the Last Safe City of humanity. Approximately four years before the Destiny campaign.
"Again," Titan Claney Beamard demanded, bringing his arms up in a boxer's stance.
"It's not fair, you're too big," would-be Hunter Celeste Etain whined, rubbing her left arm.
"And Fallen Barons, Archons, and Kells are bigger than me, and they won't pull their punches. Same with Hive Knights and Ogres. What's your point?"
"My point is you're being mean."
"No, Kiddo," the Titan said, "I'm trying to make sure you stay alive."
"By beating me up?"
Claney sighed and placed his hand on a handrail, intending to lean against it, but the damaged metal gave way beneath his weight. He stumbled, righted himself, then sat down on the stairs leading from the floor onto a low platform. As he did, dust kicked up around him. Behind him, a row of smashed computers stood dark, unused for at least a few decades.
The two Guardians occupied a room in one of the Towers damaged in either The Battle of Six Fronts or The Battle of Twilight Gap. Or maybe some other attack by Fallen on the City. They all began to blur together after a century of being under siege. Since hardly anyone ventured into the damaged Towers, they made excellent places to carry out training that was not exactly sanctioned by the Vanguard.
"I'm trying to teach you to fight so that things out there that are a lot meaner than me won't do a lot worse than give you a few bumps and bruises." Claney ran a gloved hand over his close-cropped red hair. "You asked me to start training you. What were you expecting?"
The young girl shrugged, kicking at the ground with her toes. "I don't know. Light stuff? Supers, grenades, blowing stuff up."
"That all comes later. In the field, Light can fail, guns jam, and ammo depletes. You need to be able to fight if you want to have any chance out there. You need to be a weapon."
Celeste looked at Claney, confusion evident on her face. "Light can fail?"
The Titan nodded, grim. "Yes. They've been teaching you about the history of the Traveler, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Okay," Claney said, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. "So you know about the Collapse and the Darkness. Well, as much as most of us know about it, anyway. There are still areas out there that are known as Darkness Zones, where whatever the Darkness did during the Collapse still lingers, partially cutting us off from the Light while we are there. We can still use the Light, but it recharges slower, and your Ghost will not be able to revive you without help.
"Beyond that, though, there are enemies that can dampen or drain your Light. Not a worry with the Fallen here on Earth, but if you run into the Hive..."
The Titan trailed off there, a haunted look passing over his face. His hands fell still and his eyes turned away from the young girl, staring into the shadows in a far corner. Celeste watched him, concerned.
"Claney?"
The man shook his head clear, returning to the present. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. What was I just saying?"
"You were talking about enemies that can take your Light, then you got all sad looking."
Claney tried to force a smile, but could only manage about halfway, and it did not make it to his eyes. "Just thinking about something. Where, uh, where did I leave off? Oh, right, the Hive. They have Wizards that can just strip the Light out of a Guardian and their Ghost. Do me a favor and stay away from the Moon, okay?"
Celeste nodded.
"Well, I think that's probably enough for today," the Titan declared abruptly, rising to his feet. "I should go on Patrol. Head on back to the Anusky's."
Celeste nodded. Claney waited until she had left the room before heading out himself. A few minutes later, he had transmatted to his ship and was heading for the Cosmodrome.
For her part, Celeste did as she was told, making her way out of the ruined tower and strolling along the Wall back to the tower that the Guardians, along with a smattering of civilians, called home. She was heading to the dwelling of two of those civilians, John and Susan Anusky. A kind, middle-aged couple who had always wanted children but had never been able to have any, they had gladly agreed to help take care of the young Guardian when Claney first brought her back to the Tower. They had always made her feel welcome, and Celeste was grateful for everything they did for her, but she had to admit that she preferred when Claney was around and she could just stay with him.
Thinking about the big man reminded her of the look that had crossed his face when he had spoken of the Hive. She had seen other moments like that from the Titan. He tried to hide it from her, but the more time she spent with him, the more she learned to catch them.
He had never smiled much, but Celeste had always just thought he was a serious person. In stories and videos, there was always the tough, no-nonsense loner who did what he had to do to survive, and she just figured that was who he was. It was a fair assumption, given the first time she met him, he'd been fighting for both their lives, killing aliens that were trying to kill her as soon as she had been reborn. Plus, a lot of Guardians acted that exact way. Now, though, she was certain it was something more.
Well, if there was something that was making Claney sad, Celeste decided that she would take it on herself to try to cheer him up. She started working on ideas as soon as she made it home.
…
Claney was not going to have time to help train her for the next few days, so Celeste sneaked down into the Tower on her own, trying to practice some of the different blocks and strikes that Claney had shown her. She had gotten her Ghost, Whisper, to gather video recordings of other Hunters, mostly gleaned from Crucible footage, so that she could study them as well.
"Whisper," she said, holding out her right hand. It was an unnecessary gesture, and the Ghosts were perfectly capable of materializing anywhere they chose, but most Guardians seemed to it, and she'd picked up the habit as well. The little star-shaped robot materialized over her outstretched hand.
"Yes?" he asked in his small voice that always sounded like a nervous little boy who had just broken his mother's favorite vase.
"Play Hunter Comp. 1 for me, please."
"Right away," he replied, then swung to face the least damaged wall in the room. A beam of Light shot out from his core and he projected the video image for her to watch. Figures sprang to life, capes trailing behind them as they jumped, spun, and rolled.
"Oh, and keep the time displayed as well," she said. The Ghost bobbed a nod in response.
Celeste watched for a few moments, and then began copying the moves. The first time she had tried a roll, she hadn't tucked her body in enough and banged her shoulder hard on the floor. She had not let Whisper heal the resulting bruise despite his insistence because she wanted it to be a reminder for next time.
She spent several hours ducking, dodging, rolling away from, and striking at invisible enemies. The Vanguard did not want to let her out of the Tower yet, and she understood why, but she planned to work hard enough that they would have to admit that she had the skills to survive and would let her outside soon. She also knew it would surprise Claney to see how much progress she had made on her own. The thought of catching him off-guard like that brought a grin to her face.
As she trained, she watched the clock. It would be far too easy to lose track of time down here on her own, and she had an appointment to keep and did not want to be late. When the time drew near, she stopped her training and sprinted home, drawing curious looks from others roaming the Tower. She cleaned up quickly, then set off toward the north side of the Tower.
Celeste crossed through the main courtyard, pausing only briefly to watch Guardians coming and going. She felt a surge of envy rise up that she had to force back into place. One day. She climbed the stairs to the hallway the lead to Tower North and followed the hallway. She went down the final set of stairs, glancing over at the New Monarchy gathering to her left before turning right.
"Ah, Celeste, so good to see you," a voice called out as the young Hunter rounded the corner to her little shop.
Tucked back in the small alcove was the workstation of Eva Levante, Guardian Outfitter. There were several tables and shelves all cluttered with signs of her occupation. The woman herself was dressed neatly in green and yellow, a purple shawl draped over her shoulders.
"Hi, Ms. Levante," Celeste replied with a wave.
"Please, call me Eva," the gray-haired woman replied.
"Okay, Eva," Celeste said experimentally. The woman smiled.
"I was so thrilled when you asked about helping me out," Eva said. "It can be difficult to keep up with shader and emblem orders at times. Guardians do love to make themselves look unique or find new styles."
"And what we talked about...?"
"Yes, yes," Eva smiled again. "I will pay you some glimmer and paint supplies for your assistance. You don't think old Eva would try to rip you off now, do you?"
"No, ma'am, I just..."
Eva raised her eyebrows. "Thought I might have forgotten because I'm old?"
"What, no, I just..."
Eva laughed and looked at Celeste with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm sorry, dear, I was just trying to have a little fun. I didn't mean to rile you up so."
Celeste let out a breath and smiled. "Okay, good."
"Come then, young one, let's get you to work, shall we?" Eva turned to her wares. "These emblems aren't going to craft themselves."
…
Celeste spent several hours each day for the next three days working with Eva. She was able to pick up quite a few tips from the outfitter, and was surprised at how willing the woman was to take her suggestions as well. Once they were finished on the final day, Eva dusted off her hands, smiled, and patted Celeste on the shoulder.
"Well now, you definitely have some talent," the woman said. "If you ever feel like helping out again, you just let old Eva know, and I'll be glad to let you design more emblems. I'm sure the Guardians will love these."
"Thanks," Celeste replied, "it was a lot of fun."
"And good luck with your project, dear."
"Thanks. Again."
Celeste waved and left, a bounce in her step. With what she had gotten for helping Eva the last three days, she should have no problem following through on her plan. Now, just to figure out exactly what she was going to be working with.
"Whisper," she said, holding her hand out again for the Ghost. He materialized, and she drew him in close. Once she stepped out into the courtyard, she ducked behind some boxes that were piled near the wall. "Show me the current Tower vendor inventory."
"I can, but no one will sell anything to you since you haven't been officially named as a Guardian yet."
"I know, I know," she said with a huff. "I have a plan to get around that. Just do it, please."
"Fine," the Ghost whined, then brought up listings for all current weapon and armor vendors a the Tower.
Celeste swiped through them until she found the perfect piece. Once she knew what she wanted, Celeste reached behind the box and pulled out something swaddled in a dirty cloth. She carefully unwrapped it, revealing an older model Guardian helmet. She had found it in the old Tower and grabbed it out of curiosity one day. Now she took a moment to clean some dust off of it, then shoved the cloth back behind the box.
"Uhm, what are you doing with that old thing?" Whisper asked, his shell twitching.
"I'm going to wear it. Duh."
"But... why?"
"Just get this thing working, then watch and do what I tell you to do."
Celeste slid on the helmet, which smelled old and musty inside. Everything was pitch black for several moments, but just before she snapped at Whisper, the HUD sputtered and then flickered to life.
"Good work," she said. With the helmet on and functional, Celeste stood and strode confidently out of the shadow of the boxes. She moved around the small building that housed the Guardian post office, and leaned up against the corner.
"What are you doing?" Whisper asked over their shared bond.
"Shh, just wait and be ready."
A Titan that she didn't know transmatted into the Courtyard. Celeste broke from the wall, walking urgently toward him, waving her hand over her head.
"Hey! Hey, buddy!" she called out, and the Titan turned to look at her.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you," she said. "Look, I'm in a bind. I have to rush out on an important mission. Bad guys to shoot, doohickeys to reclaim, you know the drill. Anyway, I really, really need to get this item," Whisper displayed the image, "from the Vanguard vendor, but I have to run. Would you get it for me? Thanks."
She handed him the glimmer that Eva had paid her. The Titan looked at it and tried to sputter a protest.
"But... what... you're... who...?"
"Look, it's super important. Keep any change. Just make sure it gets delivered to Claney Beamard. C. L. A. N. E. Y. B... something. And, uh, if it doesn't show up, I'll kill you. Hunter style. Okay? Okay!" Privately to Whisper, "Now, transmat me out of here."
"To where?"
"I don't care where, just out of sight."
"But..."
"Do it now!"
"See ya, Ti-" Celeste began as she felt the grip of a transmat catch her, and she made finger guns at the Titan just before she vanished. She finished the motion as she reappeared, "-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan... Whisper! What did you do?"
The Hunter flung herself backward. She was standing on a ledge twenty feet below the top of the Wall, looking down over the City. A heavy gust of wind threatened to knock her loose.
"You said out of sight."
"Yes, but not where I might fall to my death. Inside, inside!"
"Okay, just let me see where that Titan is..."
The transmat caught her again, and Celeste found herself back on top of the Tower, standing in the hallway that lead from the main courtyard to the hangar. She collapsed to her knees in relief and took off the helmet. Whisper materialized and swooped around her, his shell drooping.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. We're fine," the Hunter repeated to herself several times, waving him off with her empty hand. "It's fine. We're fine. Store the helmet away, would you?"
Whisper shone a beam over the helmet, scanning it. After a few seconds, it transmatted away, stored for later use. Celeste patted the little Ghost, then made her way to the living area and found a spot to spy on Claney's door.
After half an hour of waiting, she started to think the Titan had stolen her money. Just as she started to get angry, a delivery person dropped a box off at Claney's door. Celeste waited for the courier to leave, then slipped out of hiding, swiped the box, and darted away, making her way to one of her secret spots she had found in the Tower. Once there, she opened the box and grinned at the contents.
"Perfect."
…
The next day, Claney returned from the field to find Celeste waiting outside his door. He offered her a weary half smile.
"Hey, Kiddo."
"Hey, Old Man. Rough trip?"
"You could say that." Claney opened the door to his quarters and stepped inside and Celeste followed on his heels.
Once inside, the Titan took off his helmet and tossed it on the couch. Celeste glanced at it, noting some new scarring. There was a new crack on the back of his chest piece that Elgan had not quite managed to mend either. Definitely a rough mission.
"So," Celeste began, "I know you just got back, but I was wondering if we could go to the old Tower today."
Claney opened the fridge, looked inside, then shut it without removing anything. He turned to look at her. "I know you're excited about training, but I really don't think I can do that right now. How about tomorrow."
"No, no training. I actually did some on my own while you were gone, actually. There's something I want to show you."
The Titan stared at her as if he was thinking about it.
"Pleeeeeease?" she asked, wrapping one hand around the other, bringing them to her chin, and batting her eyes at him.
"That's fine," he said, "just stop with the cuteness. Let me grab a bite to eat and we'll go."
They made a quick stop at one of the many food shops and Claney grabbed a burger. Food in hand, they strode along the Wall, heading to the old Tower.
"So you really trained on your own?" Claney asked her.
"Yep, all the different strikes and guards you taught me."
"Good. I'm glad to see you're taking it seriously," the Titan said, patting her on the back. "We'll have to put you through your paces tomorrow and see how you're doing."
Eventually they reached the Tower and worked their way down to their training room. They stepped in and Claney glanced around. Nothing out of the ordinary jumped out at him.
"I thought you had to show me something."
"I did, hang on," Celeste said, and crossed the room. She yanked open an old cabinet door and reached inside, pulling out a large bundle wrapped in a cloth. "Here."
"What is this?" Claney asked, accepting the offered item.
"Just look."
Claney unfolding the cloth, letting the folds fall way. In his hands, he was looking at the backside of the new Vanguard helmet.
"Celeste..."
"Turn it around," she said with a barely concealed grin.
Claney gave her a curious look, and turned the helmet around in his hands. Plastered on the faceplate of the helmet was a large, yellow smiley face. Curiosity on his features turned to confusion.
"That is something," he said.
"I know it's not really your style, but, I wanted to do something special for you," she said. "I've noticed lately that you just seem sad sometimes, and I thought this might cheer you up. Or, at least you'd look happier when you wore it."
The Titan looked at the helmet, then looked at her again. He turned it around so that he was looking at the backside of it again, then raised it up and slid it over his head.
"How do I look?" he asked, holding his hands out wide, the grinning yellow face covering where his actual face would have been.
Celeste just smiled.
…
AN
This story was inspired by an image that NetRaptor showed me that she found with a Guardian with a smiley face painted on his helmet aiming his weapons with a young looking red-headed girl behind him and said it reminded her of Claney and Celeste. It fit so perfect that I had to use it for a bit of inspiration.