You were already Forgiven
“I still think about that time… do you? I see it everytime my eyes close..” - Maiko-12.
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ARCHIVED GHOST AUDIO LOG // THE MARKET - THE LAST CITY - EARTH //
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A cold windy morning, everyone bundled up, as the suns rays barely gave what warmth it could to keep everyone from freezing. Many people flooding the markets per usual, coming to trade at the stalls and buy their daily coffees, ciders or various treats for the holiday season. A young exo woman sat at a table alone, wrapped in an opulent emerald green scarf. Along with black and white casual knit clothing to keep the harsh cold at bay, despite her mechanical form barely feeling it. This was nothing compared to Europa.
Maiko-12 shifted tirelessly, inching closer and closer to slipping off the chair she sat in. Her ghost hovered about, watching her closely, studying her behaviors. The cup of tea she ordered growing colder by the second, threatening to freeze entirely.
Obrońca knew she wouldn’t run off or chicken out, and yet he worried anyway and kept a close eye on his beloved hunters behavior. “Maybe… Maybe he didn’t want to talk after all..” Maiko said softly now standing only to be confronted with an aggressive beep from him.
Maiko stared blankly at his small gold and violet shell and shyly nodded then sat back down without another word. She would not be escaping today.
From amidst the crowds of people, a large Exo warlock dressed in pure black light armor covered by a soft fur jacket slowly and methodically walked, he was a stark contrast to Maiko-12s gold-white plating. As he approached the table he stared down at her, his purple glowing eyes boring into her as if reading into the very depths of her circuits. She returned his gaze, albeit with the same confidence of a scared child who was about to be yelled at by their father.
The large exos otherwise blank expression turned into a small smile, bowing his head before taking a seat, practically engulfing the chair he sat in, setting his gloved hands onto the table in a closed position.
The two sat, exchanging looks from across the small coffee table, and sometimes looking away, Maiko-12’s mechanical heart felt it would beat from her chest. Her words caught in her throat, the synthetic muscle feeling tight, almost suffocating in this moment. She had been working up the courage for over 10 years, and still didn’t know if she could do this.
“I-“ she started.
“You’re not fooling anyone, least of all me.” He said, as if almost saying it for her, knowing how scared she was. The hunter fell silent again, her ghost transmating away to have her deal with this alone, “If I blamed you, we wouldn’t be here right now.” He spoke softly, giving her a weary but well meaning smile.
If her eyes could widen they would’ve, she stared at him, a small frown appearing on her lips, “You never approached me-“ she barked, “You took ten years to approach me.” He replied calmly, now leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms. She winced at his word, he was right.
“I’m sorry.. I still can’t go to the moon… without alot of convincing…” Her words now coming out as a small whisper, a shy laugh following. Though the silence hung heavy once more, she looked at him, “Did they ever find their ghosts?” She asked, barely audible.
“No. Probably never will.” He replied with a heavy sigh, unable to meet the exo womans gaze.
He began watching other guardians and civilians walk by, some enjoying their day grocery shopping, others enjoying a day off, or just walking to their many unknown destinations. Maiko followed his gaze, the cold air whipping wind into all of them every so often, signaling the end of the year was fast approaching.
“Maybe if I- If I have the time I could go look myself… or I-“ she started but was quickly cut off by mans grunt of dissatisfaction in her words, shaking a hand dismissively at the idea.
“No. You have much and more on your plate. You and your new fireteam… have far bigger things to deal with… Hero of the Red War.” His words hit her harder than any knife, gun or grenade could. She could sense the poorly hidden bitterness in his words. She expected he felt abandoned, alone, left to cope and move on alone, while she was able to find solace in others.
She hated that title. She was no hero, just doing what was necessary.
Ever since the day the rest of their fireteam fell, he stayed at the city, and she went off gallivanting and being a hero to everyone. She coped with seeking revenge and becoming the best she could be, he was left to mull over the losses, and fear the dark more than any words could describe.
But that was over 10 years ago and people can adapt and change, and he did, without her as she did without him. He had no ill will, not anymore, but some scars never fade.
“I’m sorry.” She repeated, knowing this would fix nothing but it was the only response her body could muster. She slowly, awkwardly, reached out to gently rest her hand ontop of his, it sent a jolt of emotion and electricity through the mans system, visibly weakening his cool demeanor and walls he so diligently set up before this meeting. “Let me try…” she whispered to him. Her glowing green eyes pleading desperately for his willingness to listen.
He slowly stood, gently patting her hand, as they exchanged looks finally, he noticed an unfamiliar yet familiar face approach from behind her. He smiled down to Maiko-12 once more. “Do as you please” he said.
“You always have, Mai.” He added gently, “Please take care of yourself, do not let the blame consume you any further.”
As the large Exo began walking away he stopped a moment, “Introduce me to Hammond sometime. I’d like to hear stories about Kepler from you both. Better than just reading reports.” He said, waving his hand as he walked off, once out of sight the man raised a hand to his chest, his heart racing. “Ikora wants to see us.” His ghost chirped softly to him over comms, after a few beats he added, “You both needed that.”
The exo sighed, recollected himself, and shook his head, though a creeping warmth and comfort slowly filled his chest and calmed his heart. “Yeah… I think so too.”