[b]I want cake. Who wants cake? I want cake that's what.[/b] [b]TheLordOfWar832's character is in this one and WEHBSTAR's as well.[/b] [b]Chapter 17: Return[/b] If you were to ask Cayde-6, the Hunter Vanguard, what he was doing hanging around the ship docks he would just say to resume your duties. Many moved on, leaving the robotic Guardian who stood like a statue guarding the vacated ships. A silent gargoyle that eyed Guardian jump ships. But Cayde wasn't there to be jealous of their ships. Be envious of their journeys on the outside worlds. Be somewhat spiteful of his position. Be angry at Andal that he would leave him like a broken- Let's not dwell on that. Moving on. Cayde waited for that one ship to come into the Hangar. He waited for a while in fact, his patience wearing thin with each minute. He waited like a princess, all dolled up in his robotic tower waiting for his very strong and [i]very late[/i] knight. The image disturbed the Hunter so he moved on. Just when Cayde was about to start counting the ships that flew in he spotted one he immediately wanted to shoot down. To hell if it went down to the City in a ball of flame. [i]No, he just tends to make me wait for him. No need to get violent. Yet.[/i] Finally, [i]finally,[/i] after a few agonizing minutes watching that ship land and be docked, Cayde met his old friend. Mirak eyed the interior of the Hangar as if it was going to come crashing down on him at any second. Cayde watched, a twinge of satisfaction for the reaction the old Hunter gave. [i]I hope it will fall on you but I doubt that it even injure you.[/i] Shaking his head to dispel such betraying thoughts, Cayde walked up to Mirak. The other stared at him like he expected him to be here. "Welcome back old friend." Gesturing around him, Cayde felt internal glee at Mirak's discomfort. But it disappeared when he remembered why the other Hunter avoided such a place. [i]He's a veteran who lost so much. The Tower is where most of his cherished memories lay. I feel bad now.[/i] "Follow me." Without another word, Cayde turned around walked towards the one place he thought would be best suited for this situation. The Hangar pub. Mirak followed, his eyes looking at the changes the Tower had undergone when he was away. Again Cayde felt a guilty twinge from within his circuits for his friend's discomfort. The second they stepped into the place though Cayde noticed an immediate change. Mirak's shoulders somewhat relaxed, his face looking at everything with such nostalgia that he had to turn away. [i]The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.[/i] The quote Cayde could somewhat remember from an ancient book came to his mind the longer he looked at Mirak. He was somewhat glad he used to hoard such books on about history and quotes before the Golden Age. And right now it looked like the old Hunter was looking at the pub interior like it was long lost home. "Let's get a table." Cayde said, interrupting Mirak's daze and pointed over to a random table. Nodding slightly the other sat down with the smallest of smiles on his face. Relief flooded through Cayde at the sight of the gesture and seated himself as well. [i]I'm glad you were able to relax, old friend.[/i] "So I guess you're wondering why I brought you here." All Cayde got in response was a dry look. "Okay, different approach. I'm sure you know why I brought you here." "Vala." Cayde jumped at Mirak's spoken word. How long has it been since he heard his friend speak? It seemed so long ago. "Vala." Mirak repeated, leaning in like he was threatening Cayde to speak or there would be pain. The Exo knew that there [i]would[/i] be if he didn't explain the situation fast. So he did. He explained Vala's story from the time Mirak was gone to the present, the Guardian across from him nodding from time to time. He felt glad that he was an Exo, his jaw circuits never feeling pain for talking so much. When he was finished, Mirak had a very dangerous look on his scarred face. A very angry and very [i]dangerous[/i] expression. [i]"Bounty hunters?"[/i] Cayde wanted to get up and walk away. Walk as far away as he could and start bargaining any Hunter to take his job. But he stayed resilient, squaring his shoulders and giving the other a leveled glare. "They're only there for assurance. Nothing more, nothing less." A hand reached out to him so fast Cayde didn't see it. It gripped the strap on his front, his torso being jerked forward until his face was only a few inches away from Mirak's. [i]Shit, I forgot how he feels about her. I should have recruited another Hunter. Too late. Too damn late to turn around and run. I made a veteran angry and I'm sure I'm going to be a pile of scrap metal by the end of the night.[/i] "Calm down." [i]Keep him calm. Andal always knew what to say. I need to keep him calm.[/i] "Those bounty Hunters are for her protection. I swear, Mirak. I won't let any harm come to her." The hand let him go reluctantly and Cayde silently prayed happily to his deceased friend. [i]"If you're ever going to speak to Mirak, Cayde, there a few things you have to know." Andal had said to him one day on patrol. The two Hunters were on an engram hunt, their spirits fired up for sweet loot. "One, don't piss him off. He's a seasoned fighter so getting on his bad side will result in a very painful end. You have to keep him calm. Second, don't bring up anything about wars. Mirak is a veteran of the Twilight Gap battle and lost his brother in a Fallen ambush. He's very touchy about that subject so avoid it at all costs."[/i] [i]I think I broke rule one.[/i] Thinking fast, Cayde pointed over to the jukebox in an almost pleading manner. Mirak followed his finger, eyes narrowing. What was an Exo dancing by that music machine going to do about this? Mirak was not impressed. "He's one of them. He's worth all my money I tell you. I'll make sure he doesn't try anything I swear." Ripping himself from Mirak's grip, Cayde quickly made his way towards Raphaël who didn't even try to sense his presence. Only when did the Hunter Vanguard tapped him on the shoulder did the bounty hunter acknowledge him. Mirak watched with a blank face as they said a few words and Cayde walked back towards him with the other Exo following behind. "Mirak, this is Raphaël. Raphaël, meet Mirak. Your third Hunter." With barely concealed curiosity, Mirak eyed the smaller Guardian. The latter did the same, robotic eyes assessing the old Hunter with a look of respect. "I heard that veterans of the Twilight Gap were all scattered but I guess I was wrong." Nodding respectively to Mirak, Raphaël reached out his hand for a handshake. Mirak took the offered appendage, squeezing just a little more than he thought. There was a metallic squeal and Raphaël took his hand back with a robotic hiss. Cayde sagged in relief at Mirak's deflating mood. [i]I just want to retire. I wish Andal was here.[/i] "I hope you two get along." And Cayde finally walked away, leaving the two Hunters alone. He didn't care, well, somewhat cared, how things would turn out. Looking at the many ships docked once more, the Exo felt sad somewhat. [i]I wish I was out there again, Andal. I wish you hadn't left.[/i]