Hey, seldom poster here, but I thought I'd share this. I wasn't sure how to tag this since I didn't really see any forums specific to fanfics, but I guess it shouldn't be too much of a problem. This is a story I came up with after learning that Cayde-6 and Variks know each other (Cayde calls him a friend but it's ambiguous if he's being sarcastic or not), and drew on other information from the game (Grimoire Cards, mostly). Think of it as a Grimoire Card type entry. I hope you enjoy it. ======== Cayde watched as the lift climbed up to the top of the Tower. He was able to sneak some precious time off from his duties, as he waited for the lift's sole occupant to disembark. Out of the doorway, a hunched figure grasping a worn wooden staff hobbled his way to meet him. "Hello, Variks," Cayde greeted. It had been an historic event earlier that day, the First Fallen to enter the City since Twilight Gap - and the first to ever be invited into the City. There had been a substantial debate on whether Variks should be allowed in - for many, Twilight Gap was still fresh in the people's minds. In the end though, it was decided that he would be allowed in. Not only did his House never take up arms against the City, but as the Queen's new Envoy (having been given the title after Petra returned to the Reef), he had the Queen's blessing. A good word from the Vanguard, of course, may have helped - with the provision that he had a Guardian escort at all times. "It has been too long, old friend," Variks answered. Cayde would have shaken his hand, but he always felt awkward not knowing which one to shake. "How was the Consensus?" Cayde asked. "Dreadful," Variks groaned. "Human politics bores me. You'd accomplish more a lot faster if the factions came to House Judgment. Fight like real nobles." "I'm afraid we tried that once before, didn't go so well," Cayde replied ruefully. The Exo and the Fallen stared out into the sunset, facing the Traveler. The lights of the City began to glow. Cayde chuckled. "It's too bad all of the Wolves have been dealt with. I was looking for an excuse to leave this place and bring in some inmates myself." "Your Guardians did well enough." Variks pondered some more. "I admit though, we made a good team. You brought in your share of prisoners back in the day. We made sure Aksor would no longer threaten the system." "You were always interested in the crucible," Cayde asked, "did you catch today's match?" "Indeed," Variks growled. "Nothing like the Prison. There you can only die once. Here you die all the time. No punishment. Makes you soft." "Venue was Twilight Gap," Cayde continued, hesitantly. "I figured you might have mixed feelings about that." Hastily, Variks snorted, "If you're referring to the pirate scum who fought that day, I had no part in it. I was disgusted by Skolas' hate and destruction during the Reef Wars. I would have hated the City's destruction as well." Cayde turned to Variks. "Level with me here. I know the real reason you came to the City. You wanted to see the Traveler for yourself. You, and every other Fallen, think it will save you. But we can't even get it to save ourselves." Variks turned away, refusing eye contact with Cayde. Cayde always knew Variks was a schemer. He once caught Variks trying to steal parts from his ship; Variks tried to play it off as replacing a damaged aerofoil. What he wanted to know was if there was a single sincere bone in his body. If [i]any[/i] Fallen could be trustworthy. "Ever since that encounter on Luna, I started to understand your people. I may not be happy with it, but I understand it. How that desperation drives you. When I see the Fallen, I see what could have happened to us after the Collapse." Cayde persisted. "If you really are my friend, you'd tell me the truth. Do you really want peace?" Variks stood quietly, chattering under his breath. After a minute of silence, Variks answered, "I want what's best for the Eliksni. We have to survive." Cayde bowed his head. "I figured as much. I don't blame you." Variks continued, "If it were possible, I would want peace, yes. But there may come a time where only one of our kinds may live." Cayde sighed. "Let's hope that day never comes." Turning his back to the city, looking out over the dark mountains, Cayde asked, "You do realize that this is what the Darkness wants, right? For us to fight each other, weaken ourselves. Divide and conquer. I don't want that to happen any more than you do." Variks stood silent and motionless, still staring at the Traveler. [i]What was he waiting for[/i], Cayde wondered. [i]Does he really think the Great Machine will speak again, just for him?[/i] It was growing late. Cayde needed to return to his post. "Wait," said Variks, before Cayde could leave. Cayde stopped and turned around to see Variks fish for something in his satchel. "Your friend, Andal Brask. He was killed by Taniks, was he not?" Variks inquired. Cayde answered hesitantly, "Yes." Variks pulled a rag from his satchel and handed it to Cayde. "You won't have to worry about him anymore." Cayde looked down at the rag and unfolded it. He realized what he was looking at; the tattered remains of Brask's cloak, taken as booty by Taniks, the Scarred. Cayde looked back up at Variks. "This one's on me," he said, winking both his left eyes. With that, he hobbled away to meet his ship in the hangar. Cayde gripped the cloak tightly, and waved goodbye to the most unlikely friend he had ever made.