Tormented

The City: Say Yes

Edited:

2/4/2021

"You want to do what now?"

Carina couldn't suppress her grin, propping her elbows on the table between herself and Pluto before balancing her chin in her hands, "Let's go into City, as a team! I mean how often does the Vanguard grants us leave?" Her optics beamed at the older Exo, "I say we deserve it, especially after helping form that alliance with Angel's Eliksni friends."

The scowl on Pluto's face deepened, "And you want to go into the City?" Carina nodded vigorously, "Why not just stay in the Tower and relax?"

Carina's face fell, "Because there's nothing here!" She jumped up from her seat, raising her arms to her surroundings, glowering at the familiar walls and tables, "Yeah, we have this bar but it's boring after like thirty visits." The light of her optics brightened as she said, "I heard in the City that are many more bars and that there's shops that actually sells clothes." She leaned over the table, "Clothes! Not armor! And not only can you order food in some of those shops, but you can also sit down and eat! How can we not experience that!?" Carina then leaned back, allowing distance between herself and Pluto, "Angel and I are the youngest of team and we have never visited the City, once. Tell me, how long has it been since you last visited the City?"

"Years." Pluto grunted as he crossed his arms, "Does not mean I am going to say yes."

"Come on." Carina pouted, seating back down and laying her chin on the table, "I convinced the others to go."

There was a brief pause from Pluto, Carina barely seeing his brow lift behind his blindfold, "That includes Ianos?"

Carina frowned, "Except for him, you know how he is."

Her words seemed to amuse the Exo, for she then heard him snicker, spotting the brief flash of red between the plating of his jaw.

"How about this." Carina perked up at the older Exo spoke, "You convince Ianos to say yes, I will go as well."

The younger Exo sputtered, "Do you know how 'hard' it is to convince Ianos to do 'anything'?" She lifted herself off of the bar table, "Remember that time we tried to convince him to go on a trip to the Moon?" She threw her hands up into the air, "It was like talking to a brick wall!"

"Carina." Pluto started, somehow giving her the blankest stare behind his blindfold, "You do remember that the Moon was the most traumatizing place for him?"

Carina blinked, "Oh."

Hearing Pluto heave out a sigh, Carina watched him stand from his seat, "Hey! Where are you going?"

"To meditate." The younger Exo couldn't help but snort, prompting Pluto to add, "Don't you dare judge." He let out another sigh, "It helps."

"You're just going to head to Ianos' place and warn him about me."

In response to Carina's words, Pluto simply turned and waved a hand, "Until you convince Ianos, don't bother me."

Unable to help but glare at the Hunter's back, Carina once again placed her chin back onto the table, grumbling to herself as the familiar hum of Spears reached her sensors.

{"You know, we can just go with Akiva, Angel, and Aleeza."} She heard her Ghost advise, {"It would easier than to try to convince Brick Wall 1 and 2 to come with us."}

"When I say we go as a team, we got as a fucking 'team'." Carina pushed herself up from the table, her optics flashing with determination, "Come on! Let's find Mister Fun Sponge."

A sigh can be heard from Spears, {"This is not going to end well, is it?"}

Xxxxx

"A trip to the City?" Ianos lifted his eyes away from the papers in his hands, "Now that is an absurd idea."

Pluto shrugged, leaning back in his seat across from Ianos as he said, "I am going to take a guess and say that she is getting bored." He then snorted, "Said that it would be a nice change compared to staying inside the Tower."

"That is what she will say until she actually enters the City." Ianos shook his head, tossing his papers onto the table before leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms, "She somehow got the others to agree?"

Pluto nodded, "Akiva wants to make a pit stop to the Market, Angel, for his age and having never been to the City, is curious, and Aleeza." The Hunter briefly paused before chuckling, "Well, it's not difficult for Carina to convince her to say yes."

Breathing out a sigh, Ianos asked, "And are you going?"

"Of course not." Ianos couldn't help but narrow his eyes at the Hunter's smile, "That is, unless, if she can convince you to say yes."

Processing the meaning behind the Hunter's words, Ianos couldn't help a groan and pressed his hands against his face as it finally clicked, "You do realize that she is going to keep badgering me until I agree to go?"

"And knowing you, you won't be affected." Ianos lifted his head and glared at the Hunter, "Do not worry too much, Little Light. As long as you keep saying no until our leave is over, we should be safe."

Rolling his eyes at the Blind Exo, Ianos reached for the papers on the table, "I will keep saying no 'long' after our leave is over." His eyes darkened, "We are 'not' going to the City."

"Neither will I, as long as you don't say yes."

Sighing at the Hunter's quiet snickering, Ianos went alert when a knock could be heard coming from his door. Glancing over at Pluto, Ianos couldn't help but give him a frown when all the Hunter did was smile and gestured towards the door, "I believe that is for you."

"Hah, hah." Ianos laughed sarcastically, tossing the papers in his hands at the Hunter before he got up to answer. Despite his best attempt, Pluto's chuckle still rang in his ears.

Pressing his palm against the panel next to his door, Ianos opened his mouth to immediately retort a 'no' the instant it opened, but pause as his eyes scanned the small form in front of him, "Carina, what in the Traveler are you wearing?"

In response to his question, Carina blinked before glancing down at herself, eyeing the black tank top, shorts, and kneel length boots, "What?" She returned her gaze back towards Ianos, "This is 'casual' clothes, right?"

"Too casual." Ianos found himself blurting out, hearing Pluto laugh in the background in response; seeing Carina trying to glance over his shoulder, he leaned into her view and added, "You are planning to go into the City like that?"

Carina's optics brightened, "Speaking of the City-"

"No."

Her optics narrowed, "You didn't even let me finish!"

"I am already well informed of your plan to venture to the City." Ianos returned her glare, "and my answer is 'no'."

"Okay then." Carina huffed, placing her hands onto her hips as she leaned on one leg, "What about Ace? Don't they want to venture to the City?"

"Not exactly." The aforementioned Ghost materialized into view, hovering just near Ianos' shoulder, "Between Mission reports and data, there's too much to do to even take a simple stroll."

"Oh, come on." Carina pouted at Ace, "Is it not boring pouring over paperwork?"

"It's quite relaxing actually." Ianos had to suppress a smile at Carina's face, Ace impassive as they added, "You should try it, it really gets you thinking."

Carina gave Ace the blandest look that Ianos had ever seen her muster, "I would rather be doing anything than paperwork." She then furrowed her optics together, "And you should relax instead of doing old paperwork."

"I can see what you are trying to do, but good try."

Seeing the light in Carina's optics flash several times, it must have finally clicked that a tactical retreat was required, for Ianos then heard her say, "I 'will' make you say yes."

Crossing his arms, Ianos tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at the young Titan, "Is that a challenge?"

"You bet it is!" Carina jabbed a finger at him, "A Titan's Challenge! So be warned! I will not stop until you say yes!" With that, Ianos watched her turn and run, leaning out of the doorway until he saw her disappear around the corner.

"She is not bluffing." Ianos heard Ace sigh, gliding back into the safety of their quarters as the door slid close, "A Titan's challenge, she's definitely stubborn."

"That's an understatement," Ianos muttered, taking a step back and then turned his attention to Pluto. He paused at the sight of the Hunter cackling, leaning his head against the back of the couch he was seated upon, practically rolling in the cushions, "It is not funny."

"A Titan's Challenge." Pluto managed to wheeze out, prompting Ianos to sigh, "She's never going to stop pestering you now."

Shaking his head as he pressed a hand to the front of his helmet, Ianos heaved out a sigh, "Traveler's Light, next time when she tries to visit, I am not going to answer."

"She might kick your door down if you do that." Pluto warned before the Hunter stood up, approached, and gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Good luck."

Remaining silent as he listened to Pluto's footsteps leave, Ianos simply let out another sigh, listening to Ace hovering nearby before said Ghost glided into view, "You should probably prepare yourself; things could get physical later."

Ianos flinched at his Ghost's words, "Fuck."

Xxxxx

"I am going to take a guess that attempt number one didn't go as planned?"

"Oh, shut up."

Pouting at Akiva as the Titan laughed, Carina turned her optics towards Aleeza, "Any progress on Plan B?"

Her girlfriend flashed her a sheepish smile, "Sadly, no."

Letting out a groan, Carina let her forehead fall flat onto the table, cursing under her breath. She heard Akiva laugh, "Well, all things considered, at least Ianos will take you seriously now. You did 'challenge' him after all."

"Is a Titan's challenge different from a normal challenge?" It was Angel, Carina hearing him shift his cup on the table in front of her; the Hunter always takes his time when it comes to drinking, "Is it harmless?"

"Far from it." Aleeza spoke next, Carina feeling her girlfriend's weight shift next to her; she felt her grab her hand and the familiar shape of a glass was slid into her grip. Carina took this as a sign to lift her head up from the table to drink. This prompted Aleeza to continue, "A challenge is usually a friendly duel, for Titans however, it can easily get out of hand."

Angel scrunched his face together at Aleeza's answer, "Like...?"

"Well, let's take this for example." Akiva leaned forward and folded his arms on the table, "Say someone challenges that you cannot drive your Sparrow into a group of Fallen and kill them before it explodes."

"That's a Titan's challenge?"

"No, my innocent little boy, not even close." Carina choked at Akiva's words, "For most Guardians, a failed attempt is left at that, a failed attempt. For a Titan however, we would keep going until it is successful. Even if it takes us days."

"And sometimes," Aleeza jumped in, "They will take your Sparrow through a Strike and try to launch it at the final boss."

Turning and raising a brow at the Warlock, Carina turned in time to see Akiva look away and take a nervous sip from his drink.

"Akiva." Aleeza started, "You still owe me glimmer."

"I'm sorry, okay." Akiva shrank down in his seat, his glass clutched in his hands, "I thought since your Sparrow was a better model, its blast radius would be larger."

Chuckling as Carina heard Aleeza sigh at her twin's words, she then heard Angel clarify, "So a Titan's Challenge is just a Challenge that takes everything to the extreme?"

"In short, yes." Aleeza placed an elbow on the table and propped her chin up, "That and it often gets physical."

Taking another sip from her glass, Carina couldn't help but ponder upon the twin's words; honestly the young Exo had heard about the challenge in passing. All she understood from it that it was just a more serious variant of a normal challenge. To think that it would mean pure stubbornness to the extreme.

{"Well you have an endless supply of it, that's for sure."}

Turning and giving Spears a scowl, Carina mumbled into her drink as her Ghost laughed, "At least now Ianos knows that I won't stop until he agrees to go as a team."

"Just be careful with Ianos though." Akiva warned, "He maybe a Warlock but if he has to go physical, he 'will', and he won't hold back."

Carina huffed into her drink, "So what?" Her optics glowed brightly, "Another challenge for me to overcome."

This earned her a laugh from Aleeza, the latter of which nudged her gently with her elbow, "Careful, I heard plenty of rumors around that Ianos shouldn't be taken lightly, even if it is a 'simple' request for a trip to the City."

Carina couldn't help but pout, "If he just gave me a reason why he doesn't want to go, then maybe, just 'maybe', I will leave him alone." She briefly paused and then took a drink, "I am still dragging his stubborn ass into the City with us."

A laugh from Akiva, "Well if you do somehow manage to make the kid say yes," He then held up his glass, "Tell us what happened, I want to hear what tactics you used to convince him."

"If, of course, you can make him say yes before our leave is over." Angel pointed out, Carina huffing at his words, "Which is, how many days?"

Akiva furrowed his brows together before glancing over to his twin, "A week?"

"Five days." Aleeza corrected.

"I'll get him to say yes in 'three'." Carina challenged, "Then Pluto will have to come too."

A thoughtful hum could be from Akiva before Carina watched her fellow Titan tilt back his head and drain his cup. Then placing it back down onto the table with a 'thunk', the older Titan then said, "Fuck it, does the challenge require you to do this alone?"

Carina raised a brow at Akiva, sifting through her memory before replying, "No, all I said that I was going to make him say yes is all."

Akiva smiled broadly at her, "Perfect, then count me in."

That is when Carina paused, slowly lowering her drink back onto the table as she blinked, "What?"

That is when she felt a hand settle onto her shoulder.

"Count me in too." Carina turned to see Aleeza's smile, "If Ianos doesn't agree, we can say at least that we tried."

Glancing back and forth between the twins, a mischievous grin then formed onto Carina's silver features, "Great! With the three of us it should be simple now to get Mister Fun Sponge to say yes."

Her confidence growing now that success seems to be within her reach, Carina failed to spot Angel sliding out of view, pulling his cloak over his head, shoulders hunched.

Xxxxx

Tracing his fingers over the remnants of his pulse rifle, Ianos couldn't help a disapproving grunt and leaned back in his seat, glaring at the weapon spread out on his desk, "Tell me that this one is salvageable."

"For display maybe." Ace glided over and hovered above the piece, releasing their light around the rifle, "For use, unfortunately no."

Letting out a breath of frustration, Ianos leaned in, scowling at the weapon, "Should I take the risk and let Banshee take a look?"

A hum can be heard from his Ghost, "You may, but I highly doubt he will be pleased to see a rifle in shambles." He saw Ace shift their optic downward, "Especially like this."

Narrowing his eyes in thought, Ianos then asked, "Do you think he will agree to repair it if I say he may model it with his own specifications?"

Ace made a sound that Ianos can only explain as a mix of a choke and a sputter, "If you say that, he might tinker with it and never give it back."

"As long as I come back and trade him another weapon." Ianos hummed, leaning back in his chair. He then paused and blinked, "Ace, did he ever return the Apple of Discord to us?"

There was a moment where Ace went still, their optic growing wide; that was answer enough for Ianos.

"That gives us a reason to talk to Banshee at least." He muttered as he stood up from his seat, waiting until Ace gathered the remains of his weapon into their vault before taking quick strides to the door, "How long ago did we give Banshee the weapon?"

Taking a step outside of their quarters, Ianos waited long enough until he heard the door slide shut behind him before continuing his trek. It wasn't long after that he heard Ace answer, "A couple of months."

"A couple of months?" Ianos repeated back, glancing over his shoulder to spot the black and orange Ghost nearby, "He would have forgotten that the Discord was ours." He paused, realization dawning upon his shoulders, "You think that he would give it away to another Guardian?"

"Maybe?" Ace admitted, "Even if he did, it's just an Apple of Discord. You can easily get another."

"Do you know how long it took me to find the modifications for that one?" Ianos asked, "Weeks of bartering with Roni 55-30, many completions of bounties and strikes, and not to mention dealing with other Guardians."

"Okay, okay, I get it." Ace huffed, "I am going to take a guess that this variant of the Discord is going to be your temporary replacement while the Villainy is under repairs?"

Furrowing his brows together, Ianos leaned his head to one side, processing his thoughts.

"No," He finally settled upon, "I am going to use Not Like the Others."

A sound of interest can be heard from Ace, "A scout rifle then?" Ianos then heard them pause briefly, "But, if you're going to use a scout, why not use Tlaloc then? It is the best one you have, is it not?" Ace shifted their back fins in thought, "It has been sitting in your Vault for a while. It would be nice to get some of the dust off it."

"Perhaps." Ianos mused, "However, it requires a high accumulation of light to use it at its full potential."

A thoughtful hum from his Ghost, "Good point, not very good for fights where the light is needed."

Nodding his head once in agreement, Ianos watched as the familiar crowd bustling in the Plaza came into view, a sign for his Ghost to glide ahead as they took a step into the open. Shifting his steps to head towards the Weaponsmith's stall, Ianos slowed his pace to avoid bumping into other Guardians and instead, came to a halt nearby. Frowning as, at first, he couldn't find the familiar star shape of his Ghost, Ianos then let out a breath of relief as he spotted the orange color near Banshee, Ace's shell all too familiar to him; there was a reason why they decided to add bright orange tints to their shell.

"Greetings, Ianos."

Unable to help but jump, Ianos turned, his body tense, only for him to glower at familiar glowing, sickly green eyes, "Fuck – Eris. Do not do that to me."

Spotting a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips, Ianos watched as her fingers caressed the side of the glowing orb in her hands. Then, she spoke, "Old habits die hard."

His mind clicking in that she was once a Hunter, Ianos simply gave her a blank stare but nonetheless, stood idly by as she fiddled with the rock in her hands.

"How are you feeling?"

Turning his attention back towards the former Guardian, Ianos now saw that her eyes were upon him, head tilt in curiosity. Flinching at the Darkness seeping from her eyes, Ianos forced himself to look past it and opted to say nothing.

"Has your Light yet adapt to the Darkness?"

Gritting his jaw, Ianos closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He must remember that she, like him, was a Guardian whose light was contaminated by the Darkness, back when she was stranded on the moon after losing her team to Crota. However, she was a unique case; her light, instead of being quashed by the Darkness, adapted, allowing the Light and the Darkness to linger within her body, without destroying it. So far, from what the Archives can grasp, she is the first and only case where the Light and Dark equalized naturally. That is, until Eris met him. Now she believes that he will be the same. Time is just of the essence.

"No changes yet," Ianos finally settled on; he saw Eris scowl noticeably, "The Darkness being a pain in the ass as always."

"That may change soon." The former Guardian murmured, turning her attention back to the stone in her hands; Ianos notice her grip on it is tighter than usual, "Give it a more time. Someday, you won't need that 'armor' that Matheson had crafted for you."

Ianos snorted at her words, "If Matt heard you call him by his full name, he would not be pleased."

"Like I have stated previously, old habits die hard."

Unable to hold back a smile, Ianos then spotted movement nearby, prompting him to turn and spot Ace approach, the Ghost's orange optic bright.

"Dropped off the Villainy and recovered the Apple of Discord," Ace reported, their optic momentarily glancing back at the Weaponsmith, "Banshee had finished it the week of that we had dropped it off. It's just, you know." The Ghost shifted their shell sheepishly, "His memory, he had forgotten to notify us."

That is when Ace glance over his shoulder, "Oh! Greetings Eris. My apologies for not noticing you earlier." They then glided over and dipped their core, "How have you been faring?"

"The voices have been quiet." Eris answered, "I was able to rest well last night because of it."

"That is great to hear." Ace's shell shifted upwards, "Like always, if you need assistance, do not be afraid to ask Ianos and I." The Ghost's optic glowed brightly against their core, "We are more than happy to help."

Watching Eris tilt her head towards him, as if to better take in their words, all the pair received was a simple nod before she turned and headed down the steps. More than likely returning to her spot near the entrance to the Hall of Guardians.

"She is getting more color on her." Ace turned to Ianos, the latter seeing his Ghost flash him a smile, "Hopefully the same can be said for you."

Scrunching his features together at Ace's words, Ianos wanted to retort, but paused and then thought against it. Instead, he said, "Let's get going. Thanks to that little 'challenge' of hers, Carina might be waiting to catch us."

"Ianos!"

Letting out a frustrated breath, Ianos felt a small tug in the back of his mind to simply ignore the call. However, against his better judgement, he turned and spotted Aleeza, her long white strands all too easy to spot amongst a crowd. Although not uncommon to bump into a fellow Fireteam member, especially in the Tower, Ianos couldn't help but be suspicious when he saw the way Aleeza sauntered up to him, her clothing hugging her form too tightly to be of casual wear. The wide grin on her face didn't help matters either.

If Aleeza noticed his blank stare, she showed no sign of it as she approached, "Finally decided to come out of your cave and get a breath of fresh air?"

Ianos didn't roll his eyes, he didn't, but by the Traveler he really wanted to. Instead, Ianos deadpanned, "I am just out for weapon repairs." He then crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at his fellow Warlock, "I was on my way to return to my quarters when you intercepted me."

Waiting for a response, Ianos sighed when he received none and attempted to take a step around Aleeza. She took a step in his way; there was no doubt in Ianos' mind that this is a part of Carina's scheme.

"Why not just stay a little longer?" Aleeza beamed, "Staying inside a cramped room isn't good for you." He then heard her hum, "How about a nice stroll into the City?"

At this point, Ianos gave up on trying to keep his composure. His shoulders slumped, a hand against the front of his helmet, "Let me guess, Carina somehow convinced you and the others to help make me agree to take a trip into the City?"

"Only Akiva and I." Aleeza grinned, "If we had Angel, we would have taken action sooner."

Giving Aleeza another blank stare, Ianos, once again, attempted to take a step around. Again, she blocked his way. This time however, she took a step forward, pressing herself into his chest, and arms quickly wrapping around his neck. Instantly, Ianos felt uncomfortable, his hands instinctively pushing against Aleeza's stomach in an awkward attempt to shove her away. However, to her credit, she kept her grip tight and it wasn't long that Ianos felt her head press against his, and heard her whisper, "Come on, Ianos. Come with us to the City, and in return, I will show you one night of fun. That sound fair?"

Ianos knows that this is no more than a distraction; he had known Aleeza long enough to know that if she wanted to sleep with someone, it would be more open, more obvious than what she was doing here. Nonetheless, when Ianos felt her hands caress the front of his chest and sliding down his stomach, he could not help but feel nothing but disgust. With a snarl, he grasped her shoulders and shoved her away, uncaring if she stumbled and scrambled for balance.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Aleeza." He growled out, "You aren't my 'type'."

He had meant it as a threat, an insult, but when Ianos saw her eyes brighten, a gleam lingering in her gaze, he knew that, somehow, he made a mistake.

"Not your type, is it?" Ianos couldn't help but go tense at her question, "Tell me, what is exactly your 'type'?"

"T-that is- "He could not help but stutter, feeling heat rise to his cheeks as Aleeza laughed, clearly amused. Wanting nothing more than to return to his room, Ianos, again, tried to walk around her. Again, she blocked his way.

"Oh no, I am not letting you leave that easily." Aleeza said, her eyes twinkling, "Now that you brought it up, tell me, do you prefer women, or men? Both perhaps?"

Groaning at Aleeza's obvious question, Ianos quietly contemplated if it was worth getting the Vanguard on his ass if he were to use his light in the Tower to escape. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a war cry.

Snapping his head in the direction of it, all Ianos had time for was to spot Akiva's hulking form rushing towards. Unable to brace himself in time, he then wheezed as took the entirely of the Titan's bulk, his body lurched from the momentum and he felt the wind being knocked out of his lungs.

Gasping for air, Ianos then tried to untangle himself from the Titan, only to feel his arms wrap around his body, pinning his arms to his sides.

"Akiva," He managed to wheeze out, staring down into the Titan's face, "Put me down or Traveler help me – "

Ianos found himself being interrupted as Akiva ran out of the Plaza and into one of the halls, slipping past fellow Guardians as he kept his grip tight around the Warlock.

"What in the Traveler blazes – "

He then found himself lurching back when Akiva came to a sudden halt, once again, interrupting him mid-sentence.

"Carina! Do it now!"

Confused at the Titan's words, Ianos then went stiff when he found hands trailing up his sides; he fought back a laugh.

"Oh! You were right! He is ticklish!"

Gritting his teeth, Ianos hoped that Akiva could see through his helmet and see the nastiest glare he was giving him, "Fuck. You." He then started kicking when he felt Carina's hands trail up his back once again.

"Traveler, damn it!" He rasped out, taking in shuddering breaths, "This is childish! Even for the both of you!"

"How else are we going to make you say yes?" Carina paused momentarily, long enough to give Ianos a raised brow, as if what she and Akiva are currently doing isn't 'wrong', "Convincing you is like talking to a cement wall."

"And forcing me to say yes is the better option – " Ianos bit back a laugh when Carina's fingers trailed up his back again, "This is unnecessary!"

"What?" Ianos didn't have to glance back to see the cheeky smile Carina sent his way, "Going to say yes?"

Cursing under his breath, Ianos contemplated, once again, if it's worth the trouble to have the Vanguard on him after using his light in the Tower. The lingering threat of Carina's touch against his back quickly convinced him.

However, before he could even gather a wisp of light to his fingertips, Carina let out a startled squeak and her presence immediately disappeared from behind Ianos. Not long after, Akiva also let out a shout and his arms soon left his body. Stumbling onto his feet, Ianos collapsed onto his knees and took in deep breaths.

"Well, well, Angel's intel was right."

Blinking back the tears that definitely isn't his, Ianos lifted his eyes to see Pluto, the Hunter standing nearby with his hands on his hips.

"Decided to help?" Ianos croaked out, accepting Pluto's hand when the Exo offered it.

The Hunter simply smiled as he helped Ianos to his feet, "Thought it wasn't fair that Aleeza 'and' Akiva decided to help Carina." He then chuckled, "Apparently Angel thought the same."

Letting go of the Exo's hand so that he may pat down his chest, Ianos took in several more breaths to even out his rapidly beating heart and breaths before saying, "Are you really that desperate to venture into the City?" He glared at Carina, the latter of which also pushed herself off from the floor, "To stoop this low?"

In turn, Carina glared back, "All I ask is that we head to the City together as a team. Is that such a difficult request?"

Ianos couldn't help but flinch. It really wasn't.

But each time he would look out into the City, he would remember the time back when it was just a few simple blocks, where it could be compared to a village. Back when the laws were wild, lenient, and extremely bias. The grief and the anger were always quick to resurface and Ianos is honestly unsure of how he would react if he were to take a step into its streets. All he knows is that it is a painful reminder of his loss. And failures.

"Why is it important to you that we all head to the City together?" Ianos asked instead, "Why can you not leave Pluto and I out of it?"

"It's because we're Guardians."

So, engrossed into his conflict with Carina that Ianos jumped when Angel carefully made his way into the light, squeezing his hands together nervously.

Gathering his composure, Ianos narrowed his eyes at the Hunter, "Is it not obvious?"

Angel ducked his head in response to his words, but it did little to preventing him to continue, "I know I'm not as old as you or Pluto. Traveler's sake, I'm not even close to even Akiva or Aleeza's age." He then took in a deep breath, squaring his shoulders back and lifted his eyes, determined, "But even I know that one day, all six of us may leave the Tower, and we would return less. Maybe, not even return at all." He then paused, contemplating on his next words before finishing, "Wouldn't it be nice to spend time together as a team before that happens? To have one memory that we could look back and smile?"

Taking in the young Hunter's words, Ianos found his irritation replaced with understanding, and he could not help letting the tension leave his body. Taking a step back, Ianos then turned his eyes towards Pluto and to him, he can see that Angel's words also affected the Exo; although his optics were hidden, the light between the plating around his jaw were bright and his hands were trembling.

Turning his eyes back towards the others, Ianos could see that Angel's form was rigid, tensing up preparation for him to say no. He couldn't help but groan and lean his head back, placing his hands on the front of his visor.

Of course, it has to be Angel, the more 'innocent' one in their little disaster of a team, who could unknowingly pick out Ianos' little regrets and thoughts without even trying. Make him remember the trips he took with those he had called brother and sister into the City, partaking in the stalls of the Market with Neptune and Pluto, making him brush aside the attacks, the threats, and discrimination that he had experienced. Ianos even recalls the promises of taking younger lights, lights that he had taken under his wing, to take them into the City. A promise that, in the end, he could not keep after their deaths.

Heaving out another sigh, Ianos let his hands drop and fixed his eyes back towards Angel and the others, "It is best to venture into the City during the day, we shall take the trip tomorrow."

Although irritated at their underhanded attempts to get him to agree, Ianos guess that the excited and relieved looks upon Carina and Angel's face made up for it. Partially.