Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 • • • "Imagine we were characters in a story," Null visualized, "This is where we, a bunch of unlikely misfits, become friends and bond. Soon, we'll be going on crazy adventures and saving the world." "You read too many books, Null," Yvan muttered. "That sounds like a fun idea," Ilya said. I took a break from shooting at the Fallen to mull over the thought. Everyone was spread out among rocks and the rusted remains of vehicles. A Skiff drifted away, having unloaded its crew. The Fallen swarmed among the rubble, hopelessly trying to get close to our position. "We're misfits?" Quintel inquired. "Yes," Null verified, "We're misfits that don't quite fit in with everyone else. Aren't I right? From what you've said, you don't hang out with many people, and you're all clearly as odd as Yvan and me." "Careful not to wander onto thin ice, Null," Yvan warned. "And we all have different personalities and character that compliment and contradict each other," Null continued, "We're a classic bunch, capable of being related to by nearly all audiences." "What are our characters?" Welkine questioned. "Simple," Null stated, "You're the-" "Hold it," Yvan interrupted, "I know where you're going with this. Ilya is the strong female character, Welkine is the inept greenhorn, Null is the smart one, I'm the jerk, Nat is the childish one, and Quintel is the boring stiff who follows the rules." "Hey!" Welkine and Quintel protested simultaneously. "Perfect deduction, Yvan," Null commended, "You're smart for a Hunter. There are some things you missed, of course." "Of course," Yvan agreed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You left out Keis," Null elaborated, "He's the strong, silent type. And it's not a classic team without a couple. That would be Quintel and Nat." "What!" Quintel exclaimed, "I-Wha-why-I-" I sighed. Quintel was such a lost cause. "Oh!" Null chirped happily, "And Quintel is in denial. The couple hasn't materialized. Perfect for getting the audience to want them pushed together. And also useful for comedic purposes!" "What else?" Ilya pursued. "Well," Null resumed, "There needs to be a main character, obviously. Care to guess who it would be?" "You?" I asked. "No, Nat," Null replied, "Its almost never the smartest character." Yvan released a mocking bark of laughter at Null's lack of modesty. "Keis?" Ilya inquired, "Because he and Blanc are the glue that brought us together?" "Very good guess," Null complemented, "But no." "Welkine," Yvan declared, as if there was no doubt, "Because he has an average, mildly relatable and goofy personality. And because he's an incompetent rookie." "Hey!" Welkine complained. "Right on the nose," Null affirmed, "You may be spending an unhealthy amount of time around me, Yvan..." "I agree," Yvan spat. "What the heck, dude!" Welkine objected. "Aw, I wanted to be the main character," I whined jokingly. Welkine muttered spitefully, "Well, at least Yvan admitted that he's a gritty, unpleasant, sour jerk." "That's accurate," Yvan retorted, "Anything else?" "As a matter of fact, yes," Welkine retaliated, "You're harsh, vicious, wicked, awful, braindead, sava-" He cut off abruptly and his Ghost announced, "Guardian down!" I scanned the rocks and saw his carcass slumped next to Ilya. "Oh!" Ilya exclaimed, "I got him!" After a couple seconds, he revived and gasped, "What happened!" "Add homicidal to the list," Yvan growled, "Don't call me an idiot." Null laughed, "Wow, Yvan! Only a couple hours, and you've already shot someone! New record!" "Wait, does he shoot people often?!" Welkine gagged. "Yeah all the time," Null answered, as if it was obvious, "He's hyperaggressive and seems to suffer from minor paranoia, so it's not unbelievable. At least he spends most of his time shooting the bad guys." "Thanks for the psychoanalysis," Yvan scoffed, "I'll shoot you next." "I would love to psychoanalyze you," Null said, "You must've suffered some trauma early in your life as a Guardian. That coupled with your base personality would definitely have led to your current mental state." "Ooh, are you a therapist?" Ilya questioned, "Could you psychoanalyze me? I've been through traumatic stuff!" "No, I'm not a therapist," Null apologized, "I've just studied psychology. You know, I think Nat may be the most mature person in this group, despite her childish demeanor?" "Wha- Really!" Quintel choked. "Haha!" I yelled, pumping a fist, "I'm the best!" • • • Keis was waiting at the Tower when we returned, standing patiently in the courtyard with his arms folded behind his back. He remained motionless as we approached. A Guardian walked past him with a confused look, then whispered to us, "He's been standing there for half an hour." I smiled as the Guardian moved past us and transmatted into his ship. The six of us stopped a few feet in front of Keis. Null put a hand on my shoulder and directed, "Watch me, Nat." He squeezed past me and stood in front of Keis. He swung his arm up in front of Keis' face, and Keis caught it. "See," Null disclosed, "His reflexes snap him out of his stupor in involuntary motion. If you stood behind him, he wouldn't be able to see you and react to the movement." "Though he'd probably hit you back if he thought he was being attacked," Yvan mumbled, seeming to be embarrassed for some reason. Keis released Null's arm and greeted us with a small bow, "Sorry. A pleasure seeing all of you." "Did you have fun?" Blanc asked as she materialized over Keis' shoulder. Yvan grunted gruffly, and I could only assume he was wishing he had some paint and a rock. "Yeah, we did!" Ilya answered, "We got to know each other, and killed some Fallen, too. It would've been better if you guys were with us, though. How was your mission?" "Oh, it was fine," Blanc replied, "Not very exciting, though." "Well, sorry to go so soon, but Nat and I have Wall duty," Quintel interjected. "Aw, you're no fun," I complained. "They'll get mad if you make us late again," Quintel argued, "C'mon. Bye guys." Quintel waved goodbye and his ship flew overhead. He disappeared in a mesh of blue light. "Ugh," I moaned, "I guess I have to follow him. What are you guys gonna do?" Ilya looked to Keis and asked, "You wanna do some Crucible with me, Keis?" "Yes," Keis replied. "Can I come?" Null inquired. "Of course," Ilya responded, "Yvan, do you want to-" We all turned to where Yvan had been standing, but he had disappeared. "Aw, he's so shy," Null teased. My comms crackled to life and Quintel shouted, "C'mon, Nat!" "Fine!" I returned, "I'm coming, mom!" "Bye, Nat," Ilya farewelled. "It was nice meeting you," Null added. My ship flew overhead, and I transmatted.