Ghost's shell pieces twirled with delight. The lounge was bustling with activity. Music blared from the jukebox as Guardians and Tower staff danced, drank, sang, and talked. A Titan had challenged Shaxx to an arm wrestling match where a chanting circle of people surrounded a table. Another group was huddled around a Titan and Hunter locked in a fierce competition of 'who can finish their drinks first'. Ghosts hovered above the moving bodies to chat among one another and swap information. Large gatherings didn't occur in the lounge often but every once in a while when a Fireteam came back from a particularly difficult mission Guardians and staff would gather to hear their tales and celebrate a safe return.
Ghost looked back at his Guardian who sported a disgusted expression as she sat upright on the couch with her hands folded tightly into her lap. She was watching the Hunter and Titan drinking contest. The Hunter won to which the Titan then challenged the Hunter to a Crucible match. Shaxx perked up and slammed his opponent's arm to the table, simultaneously knocking the poor Titan and the table to the floor, as he stood announcing he would oversee the match. Blue grimaced at the spectacle and Ghost felt a pang of guilt. His Guardian didn't seem like a social butterfly but being a new Guardian the chance to hear veterans experiences and get advice was what enticed her to come.
Ghost chuckled nervously, "Ah-hah…Not exactly the veteran learning experience I promised, huh?"
Blue gave him a sympathetic smile and shook her head.
"We might have better luck reading some of the books in Ikora's library. It's late but we might still be able to catch her and-" Ghost was cut off when another Warlock plopped down next to Blue on the couch. Clearly a veteran, the human was decked out in lavish black and silver Warlock robes. He leaned his head full of short curly black hair on the back of the couch and let out a groan.
"Nothing like watching Titans and Hunters getting drunk and trying to one-up each other, huh?"
Blue blinked and Ghost floated closer to her, "Uh...right. We were actually hoping to talk to the Guardians who got back from the Manhattan mission. We're new and thought we could learn a thing or two from them but uhhh...looks like everyone here is preoccupied so we were just leaving."
The Warlock chuckled, "Funny coincidence considering I just got back from said mission."
Blue and Ghost perked up, "Really? Can we ask you about it?"
The Warlock shrugged, "Hive tried to make a push and sent a fleet of Tomb ships towards the Manhattan Nuclear Zone. My friends' Ghost detected them and we went and took them out before they got there. Not much else to it. Personally, it's more of a punch first and ask questions later tale. Didn't even find out why they were heading there. That zone is off-limits so Commander Stuffy wouldn't allow access. But feel free to ask my teammate if you're still interested in the story." He pointed to the Titan who Shaxx knocked to the floor.
"Huh, you know some Guardians were just on the Moon not too long ago and discovered the Hive are amassing an army to invade Earth. We went there too looking into the Hive. Looks like they pushed up their timetable."
The Warlock looked between Blue and Ghost for a moment, a common reaction when Ghost responds instead of the Awoken Guardian, "Yeah...Something didn't feel quite right when I heard about that Guardian who disappeared up there. But I'm more interested in studying the Fallen. You find anything odd up there?"
Blue shook her head and Ghost answered, "Outside of standard Hive grossness? Not really."
The Warlock addressed Blue directly, "You should keep a notebook and write down anything odd or interesting you come across in your travels. Ghosts are great at recording stuff but nothing beats your own personal journal," he removed a thick but small book from the folds of his robes and handed it to her. The rich brown leather cover was new, unmarked, and the pages crisp. Blue looked up at him and he was holding out a similar book now, only this one was clearly well worn. The cover was faded and wrinkled in many places, the pages warped from water exposure, and notes stuck out of the sides. Some spots were even singed or torn.
"I just bought that but I still have pages to fill in this one. Keep it. Record anything of interest you come across. Who knows, maybe your journal will be added to the Warlock library one day for others to look to for help." He grinned.
Ghost shifted, "That's….very thoughtful but really it's not necessary. I am perfectly capable of-"
"Thank you."
Ghost nearly jumped out of his shell and he stared at Blue. He counted this as the fourth time she had spoken since resurrection.
The Warlock smiled, "You're welcome. Put it to good use. Maybe we'll see each other again one day and can compare notes." He stood and made to leave, "Name's Garrett, by the way."
Ghost hesitated, "My Guardian goes by Blue."
His eyebrows raised but he nodded and with that, he walked out of the lounge.
Blue looked down at her new notebook and smiled.