A LONG VIGIL AT ITS END

Semi-selective independent RP blog for Lord Saladin from Bungie's Destiny. Written by Matthew. Navigation is at /nav.

[salxdin]

// This blog is on an indefinite HIATUS until further notice.

[mervley]

Destiny ⊳ Raids “Some legends live forever. Others are overwritten - reshaped by the sheer will of those who believe that any ordeal can be conquered, any foe vanquished, any god cast down.“ 

[ironladyperun-blog]

                                                    “We hunt best in a pack.”

[hushedmusings]

the hella sweet munday meme

because honestly, I see so much negativity go around everywhere and I can’t help but to feel it makes the dash feel kinda down. so! here’s for lifting up our spirits!

♻ Any advice on improving Tumblr RP experience?

⛅ Do you believe aesthetics is another form of expression?

⛭ Are you feeling happy and inspired right now?

⛘ Has someone ever admitted being inspired by you?

⚌ Who inspires you?

♋ Is there any FC you believe should be used more? Why?

☸ Do you reblog from the source when someone practices reblog karma or do you follow it?

☯ Do you believe you’re a forgiving person?

⚑ Have you been forgiven for a mistake you’ve made?

♛ Have you ever seen drama be maturely sorted out?

♞ Do you tend to ignore drama?

☾ Have you ever tried to bring peace to a situation?

☻ Have you ever made someone a promo or a positive shoutout?

☎ What do you think about bias lists?

☈ How many would you say likes you?

♡ How many do you like? Is there any people in particular that pops up?

☢ What calms you down after negativity?

☠ What keeps you happy?

☘ Is there anything that makes you instantly want to follow someone?

☕ Is it often you hear people complimenting your blog? Characters, writing, theme, icons, etc.

☂ What’s your best RP experience?

⚈ What sweet things tends to happen to you from time to time RP wise?

☐ What trends are you currently into?

★ What fandom do you consider welcoming?

☆ What are some the perks with the fandom you’re currently in?

☉ What fandom do you believe needs improvement? What could you do to do that?

♦ How has roleplaying on Tumblr improved since you started out?

♨ Have you ever roleplayed with someone that has been problematic but offered critique and then watched them improve?

⚓ Are there any small details you tend to like in roleplays?

⚡ What are the good sides with duplicates?

⛆ What’s the thing about roleplaying?

⛵ What genres do you like writing the most?

⛶ What tends to bring out your muse the most? What inspires you?

[salxdin]

efrideet (distantstcr):

It’s something neither of them will forget. Efrideet doesn’t seem particularly bothered as she says it but something in the young Iron Lord’s eyes gives it away. It’s in her posture, in her smile…the thought of her Light being ripped away in the same moment she was once again returned to life would haunt her for some time to come. Saladin is perhaps the only person she trusts with that knowledge, even if he doesn’t wish to share it. But she knows he’ll understand that it’s a burden too heavy to bear alone.

But her smile brightens and sensing that change is needed, Efrideet launches into a surprisingly enthusiastic summary of her time at the Farm. For as long as she’d been around, Efrideet had always managed to find a way to bring the slightest bit of cheer to the worst situations. Her second wave of energy isn’t half-hearted or forced; it’s as vibrant as ever. All things considered, it seems that she actually likes the Farm. After all, she doesn’t need the Light to enjoy patrolling the wilds or keeping watch from a perch of her liking.

Most of all, she just seems happiest that Saladin is now there as well.

She pauses as he stumbles over his words, eyebrows half-raised expectantly. She nods once as he finishes, unblinking as she looks back at him. She puts both hands on his arm in response and gives it a gentle squeeze.

                “I promise that I’m not going anywhere.” Then without a second’s hesitation, she swats him across the shoulder. “That goes for you too. You still have to explain where you’ve been this whole time. If you got lost…”

She’s dead serious but there’s a hint of teasing in her words. Efrideet has no idea just how far he’s had to travel if it’s taken him this long to find her. They’re stronger together though and she’d prefer that from now on, they stay close.

The brightness that Efrideet exerts make Saladin relax, if only a little. He doesn’t get how she can be so excitable - but that has a lot less to do with the situation and more to do with the fact that he’s just never understood that. It’s been a stark difference between them since day one. Nowadays, Saladin finds it funny more than anything.

He listens, because he cares and is genuinely curious, and also because after all this time alone, just hearing her stories is the best thing he could possibly imagine.

When she swats him, he makes a half-hearted annoyed sound, pawing at her hand. “I was not lost, Efrideet, it was just a very long way to walk.” It is the truth, to be fair. He clasps his hands together and ruminates before explaining further.

“I kept moving away from the City, away from the Cabal. By the time I stopped it was too late to worry about going anywhere. I was more concerned about staying alive. Once I picked up communications from here, I started making my way - but it wasn’t a quick jaunt, you know.” 

His voice is just a little teasing, brotherly grumbling at her for whining about the fact that he walked over what felt like half the world to get here, just for her. 

[salxdin]

efrideet: (distantstcr)

Wide blue eyes watch him owlishly as she takes in his words. She sees her own feelings mirrored in his expression. They’ve forgiven so much already… and Efrideet is glad for it. She wishes that Radegast could see them now. They’d finally called a truce and the City fell. What horribly ironic timing, she thought.

Efrideet laughed. At first, it sounded like a choked back sob. But when no tears followed, it was decidedly laughter. It bubbled over before she could stop it, a grin tugging at her lips. After all this time alone, her smile finally reached her eyes again. It was completely ridiculous and hardly warranted laughter and yet…

She’s just barely able to swallow her laughter again, murmuring apologies all over again each time she burst into a fit of giggles. Efrideet bites her lower lip to finally get herself back under control. For a brief moment, it feels like the days when she used to drive him crazy with the way she’d laugh at her own jokes and pretend to take nothing seriously. 

                “I fought,” she finally replies. “But only once I reached the City. Many of us did. I wanted to look for you but we were being overrun by Cabal too quickly.”

Efrideet sighs. The Cabal had been planning this attack without any hint; there was no way for them to have been prepared to defend themselves. The same had been the case for the City.

                “You should know how impossible it is to be rid of me,” she teases gently. After all, for nearly five centuries he’d been told that she was likely dead. Yet here she is, just as persistent as ever. “It was a close call though… right before the Light ran out. Nanna almost didn’t manage in time.”

To bring me back, she added silently. The Ghost had barely even enough Light left to heal the younger Iron Lord’s injuries; only those which were life-threatening could be fixed with the little Light the two of them still shared. The rest had left Efrideet feeling more human than she could ever remember… even now. It seemed that both Iron Lords had seen better days as of late.

Efrideet laughs. It’s a surprisingly clear sound, a chiming bell, and Saladin wonders how she can laugh right now.

‘It was a close call’, she said, and Saladin’s mind conjures a million pictures of a fallen, broken Efrideet, and Nanna weakly bobbing above her, begging her to come back. In all of those images, there’s darkness around, threatening to swallow Guardian and Ghost whole. 

He can’t think about that. But now that she’s said it, Saladin will never forget it. Something new to haunt his dreams. But he hides that behind whatever is left of the wall between his face and his emotions. He won’t tell Efrideet he wishes she hadn’t said it.

He wants to change the subject but can’t really dredge up words. He gropes for a sentence to say and simply says, “I am glad you’re here. So glad. Don’t-” He looks up at her now. “Don’t go far. Whatever happens...” Because what will happen now? “We need to stay together.”

[frostwill]

critical role sentence starters !!!

so… we’ll talk later.

why won’t you stay down and die with dignity?

no. no further.

this is not over. it can’t be.

try not to have too much fun without us.

i have this blink candle. it’s formed from various animals that blink.

it’s so rare that we’re actually given the opportunity to be honest about everything. we might as well try it once and see if we like it.

you know i’m in love with you, right?

you seem… like a person. and that’s great.

those are coins! you’re not making it rain, you’re making it hail!

i’m killing someone, hold please.

your secret is safe with my indifference.

my heart is someone else’s.

do not go far from me. if we are out of earshot, you are too far from me.

um, i don’t know if it’s the food you made or the fact that we’re going to die tomorrow, but i want to kiss you.

i was all kinds of fucked up a few weeks ago.

you’re all kinds of fucked up all the time. we all are. and that’s why we’re together.

i just want to let you know… i am possibly the worst person you’ve ever met.

i think i kind of hope… not necessarily to hurt you or harm you, but i hope that one day… that you can know just how awful i can be.

you can curse, it’s okay. you killed one of us.

i think i’ve always been in love with the idea of you.

i was only gone for thirty seconds!

i encourage violence.

i can give you the means to protect them.

i do not want to die who i am. i’d like to live long enough to be someone else.

you’re on your own, fuckface.

a volcano is - is nature’s candle!

sometimes people go and they don’t come back.

do you spice?

so we’re going to kill everyone that we see in the next ten seconds.

i don’t want to be here if you’re not.

i told you before. no one kills you but me.

he traded his life!

i don’t have very many things that i care about and i don’t have anything that cares about me.

i’m great! well, not really, but i’m just going to pretend i’m happy so everybody can be okay!

i’ve been in a barrel for an hour. i fell asleep in there!

yes. i heard. it was the only thing i heard.

don’t cry. i’m just a little cold.

i bury my shame.

i should have told you. it’s yours.

forgiveness - that’s the key, isn’t it? it’s the only way to really grow.

your hair’s a mess. sit still.

you are my heart. you are me. you are my other half. you are welcome with me always.

you don’t always have to put on a brave face, dear.

we’re friends, right? are we friends?

i know we don’t always agree and i know i can be unkind, but… you know you’re family, right?

i’ve had a terrible thought. and it is sort of my business to have terrible thoughts.

take me instead.

we walk towards glory.

that’s mine! that’s mine!

did it choose me because i was broken, or did it break me?

please bring him back to me.

you think you care about me?

this was always supposed to happen, wasn’t it?

i love you. if i can find you, i will. if not, stay alive.

if he’s gone i won’t be the same.

i’d watch your moral panic all day, it’s delightful.

in many ways you are my total opposite. but you are also my best friend.

i made a choice. this is my family.

i forgive you. but i cannot let you leave.

please. please. i love him as much as you do.

fix him. fix him!

i like this family. i’d like to keep it.

i want you to know that you are like a brother to me.

talk about my sister again.

it’s been a while since we’ve had one of our depressing chats!

i can’t have you gone. i need you here.

i think we’re very broken people. but i think together we’re much greater than the sum of our parts.

don’t ever fucking do that again.

you didn’t die. but you did! but you didn’t. but you did! and then you didn’t.

i don’t want any of this! i don’t want any of this.

i’ve just had a near death experience and i’m craving some lasagna. 

you know, you’re getting weirder.

you and i are very different.

i’ve killed two of those who’ve wronged me and nothing is better. nothing feels better. nothing is avenged.

call me “child” one more goddamn time!

if you’re lucky, you die last.

some people have no sense of fucking honor!

i’ll take my clothes off if it’ll inspire us.

thank you for believing in me.

you’ve never done anything for me! never! you’ve never risked anything, you don’t know me!

everyone else believes in you. why shouldn’t you?

how many fingers am i holding up?

what’s the first letter of the alphabet? this you know.

yay! teamwork!

you fucking died!

don’t touch me right now! i’m not - don’t touch me!

i’m going to go get a sandwich.

you had us all very worried.

your reckless impulses will get you killed!

i’m done with gods. they will not help me. perhaps you will. 

this is too fucking much.

come here, you shithead.

it has been an honor.

screw you! i want my final words with you to be indignant and irritated.

you’re the face i saw when murder entered my heart.

i’m undecided about you.

never forget you’re my favorite. and i’m so sorry.

i’m not leaving him.

you’re a better man than you believe.

feel like making a home here?

you’re an idiot and i’m very proud of you. don’t do that again.

sound off if you’re alive.

it’s not going to work.

[salxdin]

efrideet: (distantstcr)

She leads him inside, surprisingly quiet compared to her usual self. It’s easy to see that the inhabitants of the Farm have made do with what they have and it has been close quarters for all. But she leads him all the way to what must have been an old attic or loft at some point, now converted into a little ‘room’ of sorts, marked only by a handful of possessions she’d brought with her. Leave it to Efrideet to find the highest and quietest spot, if just to sleep. She nudges him to sit as she eventually seats herself cross-legged on the edge of her ‘bed.’

                “We’re managing,” she replies and there is a subtle yet noticeable emphasis on ‘we.’ She’s been keeping herself busy, unsurprisingly. There is little else she can do without her Light but try and keep others busy as well. Without the Vanguard— Efrideet stops that train of thought. She’s getting to that, she thinks as she shakes her head. “Tyra is here. That’s as much as I know. Some of the non-Guardians have managed to get a broadcast out that will hopefully lead others back here.”

It barely answers even one of his questions, she knows that. Efrideet sways slightly, reminded of the utter exhaustion that came with waiting for answers. She wants the same as he does but she’d chosen to set her focus elsewhere—here, on the Farm—just to avoid dwelling on them. Efrideet absently wonders how he had gone centuries wondering—if he had wondered at all—where she had gone when she’s barely lasted a few weeks on her own. If it were the time for that, she might have felt guilty. The feeling only makes her next words all the more ambiguous in their meaning.

                “I’m sorry.”

He glances around the attic, smiling just a little at it because it’s so Efrideet. Everything about it speaks of her and it’s something nice to think on in all this.

It’s incredibly relaxing to sit - Saladin hasn’t thought about how long he’s been moving, how restless every moment of so-called reprieve has been on his long journey. As Efrideet speaks, it feels like being stabbed again not being able to know where the other people he cares about are. He knows it isn’t her fault that she can’t give him more answers. He knows he can’t ask for more - she’s here, and she’s alive.

He isn’t sure exactly what she is apologizing for. In their long and rocky relationship, there are plenty of apologies they probably still owe each other. After all this, Saladin thinks they should call it even.

“It’s alright.” He replies gently. “It’s alright.” He repeats the words, intending to comfort, to forgive her for whatever it is that is on her mind. But just looking at her face is a relief he wasn’t sure he’d ever get to feel. She’s alive. She’s here. They're together. It was all he had wanted, and he has it. It’s all he has, at this point.

He swallows hard and ducks his head, unwilling to let Efrideet watch if his expression starts to break. “I spent so much time just...wondering. If you had stayed to fight or fled. I did not want to think that you could be -" He can't say gone. Even though she's right here. "I didn't know." He says, at a loss.

What is he supposed to say? He wants to hold her and not let her go until he knows she will be safe. But he won’t, can’t, coddle her. And there is no telling when the world will be safe again.

[merrillyy]

ʟ ᴏ ʀ ᴅ  s ᴀ ʟ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ɴ 

[themothyards]

Nine Lords gave their final breath,

Nine were taken by the stain,

Nine Lords died the second death,

And only I remained.

Long they lingered in time-lost tombs;

Now at last, the Tenth returns, 

To seal the shadow that consumes,

And re-forge a Light that ever burns.

The strong shall stand, heads held high,

Despite the Darkness drawing near,

When Iron shines before the blight,

The Dark will quake with fear.

Sorrow-forged from kindred slain,

Gold it blazed with heart-ache’s flame.

Now begins its second reign:

Our brightest Iron will rise again.

- The Second Forging // Lord Saladin

[littleshebear]

I’ve been thinking about the Iron Lords because it’s a day ending in Y. Specifically, about how all the Iron Lords had a specific role to fulfill in the group:

Radegast is the leader, Perun is the field commander and tactician, Jolder is the tip of the spear, always rushing into battle. Felwinter is the heavy, he does the unpleasant stuff the others might not want to. Timur is the R&D man, Silimar is the defences and buildings expert. Gheleon is the risk assessment pessimist man while Skorri is the morale boosting a warrior bard. Efrideet is the deadly accurate sniper bringing up the rear.

But despite being one of the original four Iron Lords, it’s never been explained what Saladin’s role was. I guess it makes sense from a narrative perspective because he’s Rise of Iron’s story teller; he’s not going to talk about himself but I think it would be a shame just to make him an everyman, The Iron Lord without portfolio.

So I have a head-canon that his role was that of trainer for the new recruits. It fits with existing lore for Saladin, he’s clearly someone who embraces the mentor role; his work with the Iron Banner, the fact that he trained Zavala and Shaxx, and the way he interacts with the Young Wolf. He’s very much a teacher.

I also have a head-canon that he was an utter hard-ass with it. He’s got this gruff, grumpy exterior and I think he expects a lot from his students. Again, this fits with existing lore. Anyone remember how difficult Saladin’s Iron Banner was? Efrideet’s is a walk in the park compared to his. I can just imagine the newer Iron Lords absolutely hating him because of how harsh he can be…until their first battle when they realise just how well he’s prepared them.

[shouldercharge-deactivated20230]

Destiny Scenery Part 8: Iron Temple

[salxdin]

efrideet:

She’s almost surprised by just how tightly he holds her. Efrideet takes a deep breath and when she releases it, weeks of anxiety are exhaled with it. This whole time she’s wondered about his fate. It would be fitting for either of them to die defending the Last City, the way they always have. But after learning of SIVA and the rest of the Iron Lords, she thinks selfishly, she isn’t ready to lose him yet.

Learning that even immortality could not save her family had been a harsh blow. This newfound mortality seems only harsher somehow, as if the universe was only waiting for the two of them to catch up with the others. Not yet, she continues to think silently. Not just yet. Maybe all of this would be easier if they had not just found each other’s friendship. They had wasted it back when time was on their side; now things are different.

                “That’s not how it works…”

Making up the rules as she goes, as always. Laughter is lost in her throat when instead she swallows a sob. Efrideet has watched countless Guardians sit and wait for friends, family, and fireteams… some of whom have returned and some who have not. She’d been waiting as well. He claims to have prayed but she wonders to whom? A Traveler with no Light? Or something else? Efrideet hadn’t prayed; she simply waited. She’s glad that she did.

                “Come on,” she murmurs after a long, unusually silent moment, gently releasing herself from his grasp so that she can tug him in the direction of the farmhouse nearby. They can talk there, undisturbed. Her grip, although weaker than ever without her Light, never leaves his arm… just in case. “It’s not home but we’ve made do.”

Saladin just nods and lets Efrideet tug him along. There are so many eyes on them - its understandable, to a point, as he and Efrideet are rather famous, so of course they are recognized. But Saladin has no want to entertain that now, close as he feels to breaking.

Saladin isn’t a man of faith so much as he is a man of action. He mourned his family by burying himself in work, and had he had the opportunity to do so while separated from Efrideet, he would have. But faced with no other choice, he had called to whatever would listen.

He was beyond thankful that his prayers had been answered.

“How are things?” He asks quietly. Right down to business. He can’t break now, although trying to focus on duty through his exhausation is decidedly difficult. He wants to talk about Efrideet more, ask her all sorts of other things about herself and how she has been managing, but this is also the first chance to know anything about what’s happened to humanity, to the City, to the Guardians. He needs answers. “The City? Tyra and Shiro? Zavala and Shaxx?” 

Saladin hasn’t turned his mind to his old friends or his sons in too long. It was easier, to focus his grief onto one person, yet also more painful. He feels guilty, a little, about that.

[salxdin]

travlersxghost:

The ghost trailed behind some of the wolves, it zipped under the Iron Lord’s cloak. Scooting past the other it took a spot close to the man’s head. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” It asked looking at the other and then ahead. Its back shell shifted around adjusting unsure if this area was really a place a guardian should or would be. “Perhaps we should go?”

“All will be well.” Saladin comforted. The wolves padded alongside, slowly spreading out. Although the threat of SIVA in the Plaguelands had been contained, Saladin feared that even a handful of Fallen escaping with a hint of the technoplague could cause future disaster. This is what brought him further east than even the City’s patrols would go, into barren and empty lands devoid of human life.

He did not know what there might be out here, but he was determined to ensure the Fallen Splicers would not pass the secret of SIVA any further. 

“There is nothing to fear.” Saladin remarked calmly. “I don’t believe we have to go much further before we can turn back.”

[salxdin]

@distantstcr continued from x.

Saladin throws his arms around her without a second thought, hugging her close. His head is ducked down over her shoulder, unwilling to let anyone see the expression on his face.

“To be fair, Efrideet, you reappeared after being gone for hundreds of years and immediately complained that I hadn’t made a statue of you. I think I’m entitled to do something similar to you.”

It’s funny, but he can’t exactly laugh. Some of him is still ready to break down and just cry over the utter relief that Efrideet is alive.

The words she says make his heart hurt. He’s also taken aback at how cold and mundane their touch feels - there is no static electricity, no sparks of Arc Light jumping between them - it’s chargeless and lifeless compared to what Saladin is used to. An new reality, without their Light.

“I’m sorry.” He murmurs. “I prayed every night that you were safe, wherever you were.” He’d looked to the stars each and every evening and asked for that alone. He’d find a way through whatever came his way, whatever pain there was with being made mortal again. He only wanted Efrideet to be safe - he couldn’t lose her now.

Saladin has been in better shape. It’s clear that the long, Lightless journey to get here took its toll on him and his no-longer-immortal body.

He hugs her tighter. “I’m so relieved you’re alright.” He can hardly think of anything else to say, except to marvel at the fact that they are both alive. He doesn’t want to let any other emotions free, to let all his fear about the state of humanity and the City and the Light go so it might overwhelm him. All he can let himself think of is Efrideet, and it shows on his face.

[salxdin]

daemcnbcrn replied to your post: “ I do not recommend disrespecting Lady Efrideet....

“ what, y'also called her a lil munchkin? ”

“ Lady Efrideet was constantly in the habit of throwing people from mountains back in the days of the Iron Lords. I saw her do it to many - rogue Risen, Fallen - and to Lord Felwinter more than once.”

“ I have never called her a ‘munchkin’... - the two of us did not get along for a long, long time, and my behavior...rubbed her the wrong way. “

“ She threw me twenty miles into a Fallen Walker. It was unpleasant when she revived me afterwards. “

[salxdin]

“ I do not recommend disrespecting Lady Efrideet. Her anger is...something to fear. I speak from centuries of experience. ”