Tormented
The City: Not Expected
Just a heads up, there's going to be a lot of strong language near the end of this chapter. So if you're sensitive to foul language, warning a head.
Lazyperson- It took me a moment for your comment to make sense to me and just saying, I never laughed so hard in my life. I was surprised that my co-workers at work didn't hear me laugh during my break.
Edited: 4/27/2021
Decided to update/edit here again since, despite my absence, these fics are still getting traffic. It will take some time before it catches up to my AO3 but here you. If anyone is curious. My AO3 is the same username as my , AceArcalas.
"Ianos is that you?" Carina shifted her wide optics to the Exo next to the Awoken, "Pluto?"
All she received for her bewilderment was a simple grunt from who she believes to be Ianos. Ianos, the Warlock who always ensured to cover every inch of his skin, even during their down time, was wearing a simple long-sleeved shirt with pants, and even had removed his helmet. This allowed Carina to fully take in his dark-azure hair, the strands hovering over his orange eyes. What caught her attention the most from the Awoken, however, was what seemed to be a clear mask secured around the lower half of his face, tubes connected to the sides, curling over his shoulders, and connected to what seems to be a square container of sorts secured to his lower back with a belt.
"What? Did you expect us to go in full gear?" It was Pluto who spoke, giving Carina and the others a blank stare.
Like Ianos, he had switched out his Guardian gear for more casual wear, dressed in a sleeveless black hoodie, pulled up to mimic a Hunter's hood, finished with black pants. He had even removed the metal plating around his optics, revealing their red glow. Which made it unsettling to lock eyes with him if Carina were to be honest.
"Your eyes." She found herself saying, pointing at her own optics before shifting and pointing it towards Ianos, "and how…?"
Ianos gave her a bored look, "This was a proto-type, back before they imbued it into my armor." He then glanced back at the system secured on his back, "It was too delicate for the field, but since it is the City, it will be stable enough." The Awoken then pause before shifting his eyes towards Carina, "If, of course, we stay out of trouble."
Sputtering at what Ianos was insinuating, Carina parted her mouth to retort, only to feel a hand settle onto her shoulder and Angel butting in, "And Pluto? Your optics?"
A heavy sigh can be heard from the Exo Hunter, "Nix. He convinced me that a trip to the City would be pleasant if I were to fix my optics." Shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, Carina recognized the Exo equivalent of a pout forming onto Pluto's face as he mumbled out, "Was against it but, he insisted."
"For the reason that just because I cannot see, doesn't mean 'you' shouldn't." Nix's viridian form flashed into view just above Pluto's shoulders, giving his Guardian a blank look, "Not to mention since we are on 'leave', it is best for me to 'hide'. In other words, it will be more difficult for me to 'help you see'."
Listening to Pluto grumble under his breath, Carina couldn't help but blink at the Ghost's words, "Hide? What do you mean, 'hide'?"
Carina didn't have to glance over to feel Ianos' narrowed look on her, "Do you think that Guardians can venture into the City with their Ghosts visible?" She heard him scoff, "There are 'rules' set for to ensure that we Guardians 'do not cause trouble'."
"One of which is Ghosts cannot be visibly seen with their Guardians." Nix finished, "It is from the misconception that Ghosts are needed to be able to utilize the light."
"That's bullshit." Carina found herself saying, "That's obviously a lie."
Nix shifted his shell up and down at her words, "Tell that to the citizens."
Scowling at the insinuation, Carina once again attempted to let out a retort, only to feel a firm but gentle hand again settles on her shoulder.
"How about we worry later about the 'bull shit' rules of the City and enjoy ourselves before our leave ends?" It was Aleeza, the Awoken leaning over Carina's shoulder and flashing her a smile, "No interruptions. No duties. Just us and fun."
Unable to help but smile at her lover's energy, Carina found her frustrations easing from her body and said, "What's our first stop?"
"The Market." Carina turned and raised a brow at the twinkling in Akiva's eyes as the latter added, "If you want to see `the good stuff`, that's where you start."
"Good stuff?" Carina found herself repeating, only for her to feel Aleeza's grip on her shoulder tighten, and when the Exo glanced over, she spotted the same twinkle in the Awoken's eyes.
This apparently wasn't missed by Pluto, as she then heard the older Exo let out a groan, "Oh no."
Xxxxx
During her short stay in the Tower, Carina had overheard stories of the City and more specifically, the Market. Apparently, it's an area where almost 'anything' can be bought, ranging from rare Golden Age goods to contraband, whatever that was. Nonetheless, thanks to the differing variety of stocks for sale, she was told that it is one of the busiest areas within the walls. And was she not disappointed.
Unable to keep her jaw closed as she scanned her surroundings, Carina echoed the soft, "Wow" Angel had whispered, as she and the others passed stall after stall, their shoulders brushing past bustling customers.
"Pick out whatever stall you like," Akiva beamed before quickly reaching out and snatching Angel by the back of his collar, "However stay close, it's easy to get separated here."
Nodding her head in agreement as her optics searched the crowd, Carina kept a lock on Angel as the Hunter rushed forward the instant Akiva released his hold. Judging from the wonder in his eyes, Carina wouldn't doubt that he had already found something that caught his interest. Curious, Carina followed after her fellow Guardian, only coming to a pause as her gaze settled upon racks and racks of cages, each individual crate holding a mewling, furry creature.
"What's this?"
Shifting her optics away from the cages, Carina couldn't help but blink when Angel turned with one of said creature in his arms, the latter of which was curled contently into his chest.
"Cats!" It was Aleeza who answered, her crimson eyes glowing brightly as she shoved her way through the crowd and made her way to one of the cages, the inhabitant was pure white, unlike the one that is resting in Angel's arms, which had patches of black.
"Interested?"
Forcing her attention away from her cooing lover, Carina found herself locking eyes with the Merchant, the latter of which was smiling her way. For some reason, she couldn't help but shift nervously under their gaze.
"Uhm…"
"No, we are not."
Glancing back, Carina saw that it was Ianos, the Awoken's hand clamped tightly over his mask, barely making it through the crowd before pulling Pluto in behind him; the look upon both of their faces show that they are done with the mass, "We do not have the time to raise felines."
Carina gave him a puzzled look, "I thought they were cats."
"They are – Angel, no." Ianos shot the aforementioned Hunter a look, Carina following his gaze to see that the younger Hunter was handing a card over – one that she recognizes that stores glimmer – both he and the merchant coming to a pause at the Awoken's outburst, "We are not purchasing a cat."
"Not without bargaining at least." Akiva's face was appalled, "You don't just straight up buy whatever the Merchant says. Not here."
"Akiva we are not – "
"One thousand glimmer and we'll take it."
"Akiva-"
"One thousand is too low," Carina couldn't help but spot the fierce look that gleamed in the merchant's eyes, "Fifteen Hundred."
"Twelve hundred." She heard Ianos sigh at Akiva's retort, "Best I can do."
The Merchant's eyes narrowed, as if assessing his words before finally, they nodded, "Deal."
Nodding his head back once in agreement and satisfaction, it was only then the Merchant finally accepted Angel's card, Carina laughing at the bewildered expression on the Hunter's face. In the end, the team purchased not one, but two, as Aleeza then waltzed over, the white cat in one hand and her glimmer card in the other. The look of disdain was prominent on Ianos' face as they left the stall.
"We are out in the field more often than we are at the Tower," He scowled at the two felines, both of which were in their respective owners' arms, "Who is going to watch over them while we are absent?"
Carina then saw a sheepish smile form onto Angel's face, the Hunter lifting up his cat as if to hide behind it. Aleeza, on the other hand just grinned back at Ianos, holding up hers as if to show off a trophy, "Too late now. They have been bought and paid for."
Chuckling as Ianos released a sigh, Carina then heard Akiva let out a gasp, prompting her to turn in time to see a flash of glee in his eyes.
"Fish!" He shouted before disappearing into the crowd. Or at least the best he could, Carina easily being able to spot him thanks to his towering height.
Another sigh could be heard although, this one from Pluto.
"We are going to be here for a while," he said.
Xxxxx
"It is getting dark; it is best we start heading back."
Unable to help a pout, Carina hefted Snowflake, Aleeza's now aptly named cat, in her arms before saying, "Oh come on, all we did was visit the Marketplace."
"And bought out nearly all the 'food' that were for sell." Carina didn't have to look over at Ianos to know the Warlock was giving both Akiva 'and' Angel blank looks; the way both the Titan and the Hunter glanced away was telling enough, "Not to mention that you and Aleeza also bought a lifetime of supplies for the cats."
"Well, who knows when we will be able to visit the City again," Carina retorted, scowling as she ran a hand down the length of Snowflake's back; she heard the cat purr in response, "not to mention leave."
Ianos let out a breath at her words, the Exo easily seeing the frustration in his glowing orange eyes, "Fine, what else do you suggest we do?"
Humming to herself, Carina shifted her optics to her surroundings, matching the slow stroll of her team as she looked, "How about we try out one of the bars here?"
"No." She jumped as Pluto scowled at her, "If you want a drink, we can head to the Tower for that."
"Aw, c'mon," Carina grumbled, "Why not? We've been to the bar at the Tower countless times. It would be nice to try out a different place."
"The alcohol here is cheap, tastes bland, and mostly water," She couldn't help but blink at Pluto's retort, "and trust me, you 'do not' want to try the bars in the City."
It was then Pluto looked away and Carina barely caught the words, 'racist assholes' under his breath. She couldn't help but frown at this; it couldn't be that bad, would it? This is the last safe haven on Earth after all. Surely…
"You said yourself it's been years since you last been in the City, right?" Carina heard Pluto let out a breath at her words, "Why not try one out and see if anything changed?"
She then waited, keeping her optics on the older Exo as his lights dimmed, the red barely visible between his jaws. In honesty, Carina expected more of a fight, more resistance, but instead, Pluto turned his gaze towards after a brief pause, and said, "You are not going to let this go, are you?"
Surprised, Carina couldn't help a blink before she let out a grin, "Nope!"
A sigh can be heard from Pluto followed by a scowl, "Stubborn." Responding with only a giggle, Carina then watched as the older Exo shook his head, "Fine then, choose a bar that catches your interest, however, afterwards we are returning to the Tower."
Once again, Carina gave Pluto a pout, "Why? It's not like the City is dangerous at night."
That is when she heard a huff, prompting her to trail her optics towards Ianos, the latter of which had stuffed his hands into his pockets and shifted his eyes away from hers. Bewildered at his action, Carina shifted her attention back towards Pluto, a question ready on her artificial tongue when the older Hunter sighed.
"That is exactly what I am worried about," He clarified, prompting Carina to raise a brow at him, "We maybe Guardians, but that does not deter others from trying."
"Trying?" Carina repeated, "Trying to attack us?" She briefly paused, narrowing her optics in thought, "Who would try to attack Guardians? Let alone a group of six?"
A scoff, and Carina didn't have to look to know it was from Ianos.
"You will be surprised." He said, Carina spotting the way his jaw tightened, his shoulders going stiff, "It happens more often than you think."
Questions quickly gathered inside her head, Carina couldn't help but scrunch her features together, steeling herself as she glanced up at Pluto. She heard him let out a breath not long after.
"If you are that determined, we will stay." He said, Carina then hearing Ianos mumble under his breath; she didn't bother trying to understand him as Pluto then added, "But, stay together."
Beaming and nodding in response to his words, Carina then snapped her attention back towards the City, her optics spotting lights flickering on in response to the day turning to dusk.
"By the way, are cats are allowed in bars?" It was Angel, the Hunter raising the black and white one he had in his arms, aptly named Faith, while as Carina glanced down at Snowflake; right, she had already nearly forgotten of their newly acquired pets.
"No." Akiva answered the younger Guardian's question, rubbing the back of his neck as he smiled sheepishly, "Don't worry though, we can send them back to the Tower."
Carina couldn't help but lift her head and raise a brow, "How?"
"Easy," Aleeza answered this time, smiling before she then said, "Lena."
The instant the name of her Ghost left her lips, the familiar red and white shell materialized just near her shoulder and Lena, without a word glided over to the white feline in Carina's arms. That is when a beam of light filtered from the Ghost's optic, warping itself over Snowflake's form. Half-expecting the cat to retaliate, Carina instead was surprised to see the white feline let out a yawn, uncaring of the light that wrapped itself around its body and lifted it out of the Exo's arms. It wasn't long after that Lex's yellow and white shape appeared as well.
Watching as the Ghost mimicked Lena's actions on Faith, Carina couldn't help but stare, optics wide, as the two rose into the air and disappeared in the general direction of the Tower. Despite the streets slowly clearing because of the growing hour, she is surprised that no one had somehow caught the Ghosts' presence. Well, if Ghosts were supposed to 'hide', then that should be a positive outcome.
"There," Akiva turned and grinned at Carina, "Found a bar that catches your attention, yet?"
Humming quietly to herself, Carina scanned the surroundings as the group continued on their walk, watching as the last rays of the sun reflected off of the buildings. It didn't take long for her optics to settle upon one covered in neon lights, the name in a tongue that she does not recognize. She lifted a hand and pointed at it, "That one."
"The Private Dark?" Carina turned her attention towards Angel, the Hunter's eyes squinting at the sign.
That is when Ianos turned and gave Angel a blank stare, "Is there a language that you do not know?"
In response, Angel dipped his head, a faint flush reaching his cheeks as he mumbled, "It just comes naturally to me."
Raising a brow at the Hunter's sudden shyness, Carina then heard Pluto let out a grunt, and she turned in time to see the older Exo's optics narrow, a frown upon his plated features.
"I don't like the name." He said.
Now it was Carina's turn to frown.
"Who cares about the name?" She retorted before flashing Pluto a grin, reached out, snatched Aleeza by the hand and started dashing towards the building, "Let's go and have fun!"
As she dragged Aleeza and shoved past the dwindling crowd, she heard her lover laugh, "Slow down! We're going to leave the others behind!"
Responding with only a laugh of her own, Carina's optics quickly spotted the entrance and couldn't help but blink when she saw a form standing next to the door. Judging from the tall and broad stature, obviously on guard, they were a bouncer, and a human at that. Nothing out of ordinary that she can spot.
However, as she slowed down in her sprint and approached, the man's attention snapped towards her and his face went dark. This prompted her to come to a sudden halt, a sinking feeling settling into her stomach. She felt Aleeza squeeze her hand comfortingly; Carina wasn't the only one who noticed.
Despite her nervous edge, Carina lifted her chin, locked her optics with the Bouncer's and asked, "Is something the matter?"
That is when the man scoffed, "Of course there is." He glared at her, "Machines are not allowed."
Feeling her core drop at his words, Carina scowled at the man, "Oh? And the reason?"
Despite her indignation, Carina felt like she would have understood if they have given her a proper reason; after all, Exo were 'war machines', she wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't allowed entrance because another caused some damage. But instead, to her surprise and frustration, the Bouncer dismissed her with a simple wave of his hand.
"I don't need to explain to a machine." Carina gritted her jaw at his words, Aleeza's hand the only reason she hadn't gotten up and swung at the man, "Now get out of here, only 'humans' are allowed here."
"Says who?!" She snapped, tearing her fingers out of Aleeza's hand and took a step forward, curling her hands into fists. That is when she felt a hand clamp down onto her shoulder and pulled her back. Carina glanced back and glared into familiar red optics.
"It's not worth it." Pluto said as she opened her mouth to argue, watching as the older Exo lifted his optics and narrowed his gaze at the Bouncer, "Let us find another place to find drinks."
If his glare was an attempt to threaten the man, it did little as the Bouncer simply snorted, crossing his arms as he grinned smugly at the group, "Right and take your so called 'escorts' with you."
Anger flared within Carina's chest, "What!?"
She attempted to take another step forward only for Pluto to once again to pull her back.
"Carina." She heard him hiss out.
"You heard me, take your 'prostitutes' out of here." The Bouncer then gestured with his head at Aleeza and Ianos, as if to empathize his words, "isn't all that those 'traitors' are good for?"
Fuming at the man, Carina tugged her arm out of Pluto's grip. However, before she could take a step forward and assault the man, the tall and broad of Akiva stepped in front of her. As he passed, she can easily see the scowl upon his pale features.
"Hey now," He said, looking down at the Bouncer, "No need to talk about our friends like that."
If the man was intimidated by Akiva's size, he showed no sign of it as he sneered, Carina seeing him lean over to look around the Titan and glared at her; not at just her, she realized, but everyone else that wasn't human.
"Friends?" The Bouncer scoffed, "You call these 'machines' and 'whores' your friends?" The man then shifted back, lifting up his eyes to lock onto Akiva's, a smug look settling back onto his face, "I am certain that you just hired them for the night. Have a thing for machines and traitors?" Carina gritted her jaw and curled her hands into fists as the Bouncer laughed and finished, "Honestly, I would prefer the company of whores than machines."
Carina finally heard enough.
Despite her short stature, she found herself already closing the distance between herself and the Bouncer, easily side stepping Akiva. Ignoring the sound of surprise that the larger Titan emitted, Carina reared her hand back and swung it forward.
With her small size, Carina found herself having to put a little bounce into her step in order to make her target but, nonetheless as satisfied when her fist connected with his face. The Bouncer let out a shriek in response, reeling back as blood poured from his nose. Before Carina can take her work in proper, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist, easily lifting her off of her feet.
Immediately, the last of her anger filtered to the surface.
"Let me go!" She shouted as she kicked and snarled, her optics lingering back over the writhing Bouncer on the floor, "Let me go so I can beat that piece of shit senseless!"
Carina's words fell on deaf ears as the scenery before her changed, the sight of the bar leaving her sight before an abrupt turn into a corner landed her in darkness. Well, dark as it could get in an alleyway.
Feeling her feet settle back onto solid ground, Carina pulled herself away, ensuring she was at arm's length before turning around and hissing out, "Why did you stop me!?"
"And let you kill the man?" It was Akiva, the Titan's eyes wide as he gestured with both his hands down the alley, as if to empathize his words, "Can't let you do that, Carina."
Carina snarled, "Why not?"
"With how prejudice they are towards us, do you think they would let you off easy if you killed him?"
Snapping her attention around Akiva, Carina then spotted the others as they jogged into the alley, Angel staying back long enough to take a glance out into the street before turning his attention towards Pluto and nodding once; a sign that they weren't being followed.
"Then let them!" She formed a fist and packed it against the palm of her other hand, "That way I have a reason to fight back!"
"Carina!" She jumped at Pluto's shout, turning her optics towards the older Exo only to see a scowl on his dark plating, "Do you think violence will be the answer? That humans will just suddenly accept us if we fought back with fists?"
Rage kindled within her chest at his words, and without thinking, she approached him, closing the distance as much as she can and looked up at the taller Exo.
"So, what do you want us to do?" She asked, narrowing her violet optics, "Stay back and let them walk all over us?!" Carina then jabbed a finger onto Pluto's chest, earning herself a blink as she then added, "That didn't' exactly help us back in the Golden Age!"
She paused, reeling at her own words. Golden Age? When…?
Befuddled, Carina focused her attention back onto Pluto, only to see the same expression of surprise on his face. At first, she waited, expecting him to finally react, only to nervously glance back at the others. Like Pluto, they were staring back at her in surprise; even Ianos, normally holding an expression of apathy or discontent, seemed to look at her in shock.
"You remember?" Pluto finally broke the silence, prompting Carina to turn her optics back towards him, "You remember the Golden Age?"
Opening her mouth to answer, Carina then paused, and clamped her mouth shut. She wanted to say yes, that she remembers the mumbles of obedience, the unkind words, and shouts of protests, all ringing in her processors. However, they were merely echoes, memories within distance but just out of reach.
But the echoes were enough to help her remember the anger, the rage when someone spouts profanities towards her and others.
Carina answered, "Yes."
There is a brief silence, Carina feeling all eyes upon her, before it was finally broken by Pluto letting out a sigh.
"I understand why you are upset," He said, "However, killing a man in 'public' is not the wisest idea."
Frowning at Pluto's words, Carina couldn't help but mumble, "I know, but…"
"Next time, make sure that there are no extra set of eyes."
That is when Carina blinked, slowly lifting her optics and lingered over Pluto's features.
"What?" She said.
"Are, are you encouraging her to kill a civilian?" It was Ianos, the Awoken giving Pluto a blank look as the latter shrugged.
"Who says that I am?"
Carina couldn't help but snort at the Hunter's words, especially when Ianos rolled his eyes.
"Pluto…"
"They won't know if there are no witnesses."
If the look on Ianos' face wasn't funny before, it was now as Carina chuckled at the deadpanned look on the Warlock's face.
"I have a suspicion that you have done something similar before."
All the Awoken received was a smile from the Exo, prompting Ianos to let out a sigh and the shake of the head. Half-expecting the Awoken have a remark, Carina was surprised when the Awoken simply said, "Are we all ready to head back to the Tower?"
"No drinks?" It was Akiva, Carina seeing the disappointment in the human Titan's golden eyes.
A scoff can be heard from Pluto, "After that little escapade? I think a walk through the City and back to the Tower would be sufficient enough to end our little 'trip, don't you agree?"
From the corner of her optics, Carina saw Angel nod his head in agreement. She turned her head in time to lock eyes with him as he said, "I think I had enough of the City for today."
Unable to help a pout at the words of her friend, Carina then felt a comforting hand touch her shoulder; she didn't have to look to know it was Aleeza.
"We will try again another time." She felt her girlfriend give her a gentle squeeze, "and perhaps we will find a better place than that shithole."
Snickering at Aleeza's words, Carina opted to raise her hand and intertwined her fingers with the Awoken's. Humming as she felt Aleeza's weight in her hands, she then glanced over at Pluto and Ianos, both of whom had taken the lead to leave the alleyway. Taking this as a sign to follow, Carina couldn't help but notice that Akiva and Angel had waited until she and Aleeza were in the middle of their group before they took the rear. Amused at her team's attempt to make her feel safe, Carina decided to let it go and felt herself lean into Aleeza's side, taking in her lover's warmth.
Xxxxx
Angel may have only known Carina for a few months, but it was long enough for him to understand that, although she has a short fuse, the hate and rage in her optics were out of character. He was confused at this; he knew that being anything but human puts you at a disadvantage in society, but this was his first time within City walls seeing it for himself.
As such, he couldn't help but lift his eyes towards Akiva and start, "Akiva?" He waited until the Titan turned his eyes towards him, "The reason why Pluto and Ianos are so adamant against heading into the City, is it because of people like that man?"
There was a brief pause, Akiva simply blinking at Angel and for a short while, the Hunter thought that perhaps he had asked the wrong question. However, it didn't take long for Akiva to let out a breath, nod once, and answer, "There is a reason why you see more humans in the outskirts of the City than the inner circle of the Tower."
Now it was Angel's turn to blink, turning his attention to the crowd, and he found the Titan's statement to be true.
Back at the base of the Tower, there had been plenty of Awoken and Exo lingering amongst the humans, the different coloring of skin and plating giving the population a mix. But now, all Angel could see were similar shaded colors of humanity.
Akiva must have seen the bewildered expression on Angel's face for the Hunter then head him add, "There is a reason why man Awoken and Exo Guardians avoid the City." He turned his eyes back towards Akiva, "We maybe be near the brink of extinction, but humanity is stubborn as ever." He scowled, "Even the 'slightest' difference and majority of the population will consider you 'sub-par." A sigh and a shake of the head, "First time I went into the City was with an Exo comrade of mine. It didn't take us long to return to the Tower after a group of drunken bastards thought it would be funny to toss their empty bottles at us."
Finding himself frowning alongside with Akiva, Angel scrunched his brows together in thought, and asked, "And Awoken?" He saw Akiva turned and give him a raise brow. He decided to clarify, "Why would they treat them differently when they were technically descended from humanity?"
In response to his question, Akiva snorted, "Like I have stated before, even the slightest difference can earn you the scorn of the entire human populace. The Awoken are no exception." Another sigh can be heard from Akiva, Angel spotting him glancing over at Aleeza, "Thanks to the fact that they were human who had fled not long before the Collapse and had wanted to live a life without the Traveler, many consider the Awoken 'traitors' and as such, life was harsh for those who decided to return to Earth." That is when the Titan's eyes darkened, "Many had to take up 'undesirable' occupations and thanks to their 'exotic' appearance, many started calling them 'Exotics'."
Flinching at the word, Angel then couldn't help but give Akiva a confused look, "But isn't that…"
Akiva nodded, "Don't worry, most Guardians do not tolerate that kind of behavior and hardly coin the term themselves." He then nodded his head towards the Tower, the building all too easy to spot, even within the streets of the City, "Hence why many Exo and Awoken citizens stay close to the base of the Tower. It's 'safer' there."
Contemplating on the words of the older Guardian, Angel then shifted his eyes towards the others, seeing Aleeza and Carina leaning against each other while as Pluto and Ianos kept a steady pace, their stiff posture all too clear of their intent to return to the Tower as quickly as possible.
Having lived with the Fallen for most of his resurrected life and hardly venturing far from the Tower, it never had hit Angel that there would be prejudice within the City walls. However, as his eyes lingered towards the Citizens around them, Angel can spot those with narrowed eyes, some even whispering as they gestured towards Carina and Aleeza, no doubt mocking how open their relationship were. He couldn't help but scowl at this.
"It's getting dark." Angel snapped his eyes towards Pluto, the older Hunter's optics lifted towards the darkening sky, "We have to hurry."
Angel couldn't help but give Pluto a puzzle looked, "Why? Is it difficult to navigate the City at night?"
That is when the older Hunter let out a sigh, "Only if it were that simple."
At first, confused at the Exo's words, Angel then understood when a whistle echoed through the air, catching not only his, but everyone in their group's attention as well. It was an open bar, and within were a group of men, the smell of alcohol and smoke clear even from afar. One of the men, with dark hair and eyes and more than probably the one who had whistled, cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled, "Why did you stop? Continue with the show!"
Bewildered as he and the other men hollered and whooped, Angel followed the drunken human's eyes only to pause upon Aleeza and Carina, the latter of which was giving the group a dirty look. Unable to find anything wrong with the pair, all Angel could do was glance back and give the drunks a bewildered expression, only to understand when Carina gave them a defiant stare and then gave the back of Aleeza's hand a quick kiss. This prompted the men to shout with joy and lust and Angel couldn't help but make a face of disgust.
"That can't be all!" One of the other men shouted, "Come on! Go at it! Start banging each other right here so we can have a show!"
His friends whooped in agreement.
"Let's go." It was Ianos, Angel turning to see the Awoken glaring at the group of drunks, "They are not worth our time." He then scoffed before he turned to leave, "They are too inebriated to even think clearly."
Mentally agreeing with the older Guardian, Angel took steps to follow after Ianos and he could see the others trying to do the same. However, to his astonishment, one of the men, despite their drunken state, had closed the distance between themselves and had snatched up Aleeza's free hand. Judging from the way Aleeza reeled back, she had not seen the action coming.
"Come on, don't leave yet." The man purred, caressing her hand and at the same time, failing to notice the fury building in Carina's violet optics, "Come with us, leave your old group behind." The smile he gave her was dark, "We will give you a good time."
Then, for the first time in Angel's life, he saw Aleeza frown, a look of disgust glazing over her eyes as she tore her wrist away out of the man's grip.
"Sorry," She said, "I will have to decline."
This must not have been the response the man was looking for, for the look upon his face cause Angel to let out a snicker. His amusement was short lived however, as the man once again reached out and snatched Aleeza's wrist and this time, Angel could see how tight his grip was. And as if to assert dominance, he shook her arm, although, the forced smile was still on the man's face.
"Oh, don't be like that, I will be gentle, I promise." Angel suppressed a gag as the man winked at Aleeza, as if that was going to help. Then, the man glanced over her shoulder and it was as if the first time, he noticed the other members of their group. Or more specifically, Ianos.
"If you don't want to come alone, you can bring your friend over there." The man nodded his head towards the Warlock, smiling sweetly; Angel noticed that Ianos' eyes flared at the drunk's words, "Two's a company, right?"
"Two's a company when it's in 'good' company." Angel choked at Aleeza's retort, once again seeing the female Awoken tearing her wrist out of the man's grasp. This time, the man's smile faded and replaced with a scowl.
"Hey there, I was being nice." Angel's eyes grew wide when the man reached out and grasped 'both' of Aleeza's wrist, snatching the hand away that was intertwined with Carina's in hopes of gaining better traction, "You shouldn't decline when a man is being nice, especially for a whore like you."
Then, before any retort could be made, the man then tugged her forward, his intent clear as his friends behind him cheered.
Angel soon learned that was a mistake.
A look of fury flashed over Aleeza's features before the next thing Angel knew, there was a shout of pain and the man was on the ground, his arm twisted behind him and Aleeza's knee on his back.
"That is not how you treat a lady." She snarled and Angel couldn't help but wince when she twisted the man's arm further, earning another cry, "especially when she is just trying to have a nice night out with –"
"You bitch!"
Aleeza ducked in time to dodge a punch swung by one of the man's friends, twisting her grip and earning another yelp from the man beneath her.
Anger bubbling within his chest, Angel took a step forward to retaliate, only to jump when Ianos' shape stepped past him, and in one fluid movement sucker punched the attacker in the face. It was enough to send the drunk to the floor, groaning.
At first, there was silence, Angel looking at Ianos, stunned, only the Awoken to let out a resigned sigh.
"Fuck it."
As the drunk attempted to stand, Ianos reached down and gripped the man by the collar and said, "I am not in the mood to deal with this 'quietly' tonight." Then he punched the man again.
In other situation, Angel would have cheered Ianos on, if he hadn't seen the rest of the man's group approach. Unfortunately for them, Angel and the others were ready.
One took a swing at Pluto and the Exo Hunter easily side stepped the strike, and casually hooked his foot underneath the man's. It looked like the older Guardian hardly tried as his attacker stumbled and promptly landed face first, knocking himself out. For Akiva, being a tower compared to everyone else just stared down his with disdain before simply headbutting him. Titan logic, Angel couldn't help but think.
Carina, being smaller and considered an 'easier' target, simply ducked and had to jump to connect her first with her attacker's face. He flew back with a satisfying crunch.
The last of the group, was rushing Angel, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes as the man was rushing him. As if rushing a Hunter was a great idea.
As he prepped his stance, Angel's mind lingered back to Cayde, recalling the Hunter's advice back when he was under the Vanguard's tutelage.
"Sometimes in a fight, you have to use your own opponent's energy against them." He remembered giving the Exo a puzzled look back then, and that's when a sly smile formed onto Cayde's face, "Okay, let me give you an example. Rush me."
The memory buzzing in the back of his mind, Angel shifted his position once more, posturing steady into a sturdy stance as the distance between himself and the drunk swiftly closed. Waiting until the man was upon him, Angel then lifted up his leg and kicked it out. Just as he had done during his lesson with Cayde, the drunk ran right into his foot, using all of the inertia to knock the air right out of his chest and sending him flying back.
Stumbling back from the blow, Angel casually regained his balance and couldn't help but stare blankly at the wheezing drunk near his feet. Although angry at the men for treating Aleeza for being lesser, he couldn't help but think of the drunks' situation as unfair. Angel and the others were Guardians after all, these men were nothing more than hinderances.
"May we head back now?" He turned to spot Ianos, leaving the unconscious form of one of the drunks behind him, "before we bump into more trouble?"
"I agree." Pluto piped in, he and the rest of their group gathering nearby, "Let us leave before the FOTC gets here."
That is when Angel saw Ianos roll his eyes, "Like they are going to answer a call of a brawl between a bunch of drunks and passing pedestrians."
Raising a brow at Ianos' scoff, Angel then watched as the Awoken simply turned and started to walk away, a silent sign for the rest of the group to follow. Glancing back one final time at the group of drunks on the street, Angel couldn't help but shrug as other passerby simply walked around them. If this is considered normal in the City, guess he shouldn't feel too guilty.
As such, Angel sped up his pace to catch up to the others. He just hopes that next time, their next trip into the City will not be as unsound.
So first trip into the City didn't go as planned. But don't worry! They'll make more trips into the City later on in the story!