as @oxothnk makes someone’s butt pucker
Cayde shook his head at being called sir and shivered at the thought of it. “No, no! Don’t call me sir. Ugh, you make me sound like Zavala. That’s for Vanguard and all the other higher ups. I’m justa Scout.” The pair weaved between busy Civilians and Guardians alike before slinking their way into a cozy tiny Titan bar. It was one of Andal’s favorites. Something about “the bartender knows what I like” and peanut butter pretzels?? Whatever it was, their rowdy bunch was always welcomed by a bright, sunny Titan who could brighten any cloudy day. Probably because she was a fiery haired red head practically radiating Solar energy. Great to visit on winter weather.
Lifting a cloth as a doorway to the side, he let his tall companion go in first before following behind. “Two for today, Quinn. Easy on the first few rounds!” Cayde called out and the busy bee bartender was already working on their drinks while simultaneously attending to another team drunk off their asses. The Exo guided then to a tucked corner of the little bar and sat heavy on the wooden bench with lightly filled pillows as a buffer between rear ends and bar ends.
“Well start off here with somethin’ light first, then work our way a bit up the town. I’ll show you all the great places for quick fixes and cheap eats.” He slid his hood back with a calm sigh as the light pitter patter of rain began to come down. “Whew, just in time too! So, any good stories from the wilds as of late?” Whether it was working or personal business, he always had to know all the details from outside perspectives on the field. It was… Getting harder to go out now each time. Something about Andal as of late had him sticking around a bit closer than he’d care to admit.
It was a Titan bar. It was a gods damned Titan bar.
His first instinct was to immediately bail out, turn, run, launch himself over the wall, but he (somehow) maintained his composure. He was even able to force himself to relax his hands, which had subconsciously curled into fists. He forced a sigh, more of a deep exhalation, and let his shoulders droop. It was a pathetic attempt to relax himself.
It was a hole-in-the-wall dive. Just so happened the barkeep was a Titan. Right?
He carefully looked her over, still safe behind his helmet. He didn’t recognize her. He hoped to high hell and heaven as well that she didn’t know him from Adam’s house cat.
“Sorry ‘bout the formality. Being in the weeds for a while makes you forget how to talk to other people.” He laughed with a hidden sheepish grin. “Never quite know when to turn on the fancy manners.”
He dutifully followed the Exo to the cushioned bench and carefully took a seat. He wanted to belly flop onto the mound of pillows, but figured even dive bars deserved a measure of decorum.
When Cayde smoothed his hood back…well, he wasn’t expecting that the Exo without his hood would seem younger somehow. He didn’t know how to qualify the sense other than Hunters and their hoods and something to do with mystery.
“I’ll definitely owe you for the courtesy tour,” he said in what he hoped was an even tone. At Cayde’s question he felt himself regain a sense of calm. Talking shop was something he could do without a second thought.
“No solid intel but there’s something up with the Fallen. House of Wolves specifically,” he began. “Don’t have enough to report back with. No real leads to give Brask.” Referring to the Hunter Vanguard by the surname was a very old habit.
“Been trying to intercept Eliksni communications. Hacked a fair number of their relays, just no dice as of yet. My gut says that something is stirring in the background, starside. Close to Earth, though. Kings and Devils have little dust ups here and there, nothing more than posturing to show the Wolves that they consider our backyard to be their territory. Maybe something’s up on Luna? I was thinking of making a run up there, suss out the House of Exile, see what’s doing.”
He had been idly drawing on the table top using a gloved forefinger. Almost mapping out what he had been passing along to Cayde. Boundaries, supply routes, transponder locations, landmarks that he recalled as he recounted his concerns to the Exo.
When the fetching red-haired Titan came around with their order, he seized up. Every muscle tensed as his fight or flight was solidly kicking into flight gear.
He never was one to run, but the City had taught him some hard lessons on that point. Losing a fight will do that to a man.
When she departed without even batting an eyelash at him, he damn near collapsed back like a marionette cut from its strings.
Then he was presented with his next problem. His helmet. He couldn’t exactly drink or eat through it and to not take it off would certainly raise more suspicions than it was worth. Also, given the gurgle loudly broadcast by his stomach, as well as his mouth having run dry…all things considered, he really needed that drink.
[ I can’t believe you are doing this ] his Ghost hissed via a secure comm line.
He ignored her and loosened the seals on his helmet, slowly pulling it off. He set it on the table gently, as if it would break.
He revealed a tanned face topped by a wavy mess of brunette hair. It had been a much lighter shade, and himself fairer in his previous life in the City. The time spend in the wilds darkened him outside and in.
He definitely had helmet head, though the tousled hair suited him more than it should have. He wore a thick mustache and his beard…he had never been able to get it to grow particularly thick. It was the definition of scruffy, even worse off than Andal Brask’s own facial hair.
Dark brown eyes that shone with solar fire glanced over to the Exo. He hoped he didn’t see the spark of recognition in those bright blue optics.
He undid the clasps on his gloves and pulled them off, tucking them beneath his helmet. His hands were like those of a craftsman or tradesman. They weren’t roughly hewn, only strong and with fingers suited to hard work.
He took up his drink and gave Cayde a slight nod of the head. “I’ve got the next round.”
