Something wholesome because I’ve written Zahir suffering enough. Tales of a Mars Sentry: https://docs.google.com/document/d/144IRfDG9AviY3S_e_URepsj3FbaLAzJpj_SnYMs1qaI [b]Shopping Trip[/b] “You’re really going to buy me a new hand cannon?” Eltanin asked, in wonder. “Yes. You deserve it.” Zahir answered yet again, as the two walked through the Tower hallway. The sun was at its peak, casting its light from next to the Traveler. A fleet of guardian ships took off, filling the air with the noise of engines. It was a busy Saturday afternoon in the Tower’s shopping floors. Zahir opened the doors to a gun shop. The armory was brightly lit, its white ceiling capturing the various reflected paint jobs of rifles galore. An employee sat in a corner, tinkering with a SUROS pulse rifle. As the Titan and Warlock began to move to the hand cannons, a hunter lazily popped out from behind a rack of scout rifle barrels. “Kale?” Zahir looked over at the hunter, who was taken by surprise. “Ey, Zahir! What’re you doing here?” Kale-8 replied, waving. “Remember that moon mission I told you about? This warlock saved Lacer and I.” Zahir pointed to Eltanin nonchalantly. “Oh, so this is your student I’ve heard so much about.” Kale walked over, looking Eltanin up and down. “So, again, what’re you doing here?” He repeated, curious. “I’m buying her a new hand cannon.” Zahir pointed to Eltanin, who was eying an aisle of shaders in the distance. Kale nodded slowly and mischievously, his exo faceplates forming a grin. “Ahh. I gotcha.” “Want to help us pick one out?” “Nah, I’m good. I’ll leave it to you two to make a decision.” Kale said slowly as he started for the door, slipping next to Zahir. “She’s kinda cute.” He whispered in his ear before leaving. Zahir shook his head, beckoning Eltanin to the wall of hand cannons before them. Eltanin eyed the leftmost row of decent quality hand cannons, before Zahir noticed and diverted her attention to the right. “Eltanin, don’t devalue your work. I’m buying you only the finest.” Zahir pointed to the most tricked out hand cannons on the wall. He went over them one by one. “This one’ll be really consistent at long ranges, this one has explosive rounds, this one packs an extra punch every once in a while. Here’s one of SUROS’ new hand cannons. Not sure how good they are.” Zahir took notice of his overwhelmed student, skimming over the remaining hand cannons with his eyes. A flurry of painted metal streaked through his vision. “Though, if I really had to recommend one…” He reached for an Omolon model, reading its description. “This hand cannon taps into your light, giving your light a little juice when you kill with it. I know you like your grenades, so maybe this?” He took the hand cannon off of its rack. Eltanin perked up, interested. “Army of One. I like it.” She read the hand cannon’s description as Zahir let the gun into her hands. She turned it around, its blue cylinder shining against the black matte finish. “Are you sure, Zahir?” Eltanin looked back to the wall, at its price. “Do I have to say it again? Yeah. You’ve done a great job in your time on my scout team so far, and it’s your rez month. I should at least treat you. I can afford it.” Zahir pointed his thumb at himself, boastful. Crucius spoke to Zahir from behind his head. “We’re gonna need to take a lot of bounties to cover this.” Zahir nodded in woeful agreement. After paying, Eltanin excitedly walked out of the shop. “I want to take this on a patrol. I’ll see you later, Zahir, thanks!” Eltanin waved as she ran off. Zahir sighed in accomplishment, continuing down the line of shops. - Zahir opened his apartment door to meet Kale-8 once again, propped up on the couch. A Crucible match played on the television, filling the room with sounds of gunfire and explosions. “Oh, ‘ey Zahir.” Kale waved at the door, his eyes fixated on the screen. “Hello.” Zahir went over to the couch, sitting beside Kale. He had gotten used to the hunter’s frequent visits. “Ship’s being repaired. It’ll take until tomorrow, so I’ll be here for the night.” “Mm.” “By the way, I’m really craving some of your… feetuh...fetter…” “Fettucini?” “Yeah, that! Any chance I could get some?” “I don’t have any pasta.” Kale’s eyes widened. “You? Out of ingredients? No way!” Zahir hastily justified himself. “No, I was going to go grocery shopping, but… I’m a bit broke at the moment…” Kale tilted his head in confoundment, leaning forward off of the couch. A nova bomb being fired flared purple through the TV screen, shining against Zahir’s green forehead. “Just how much did that hand cannon cost ya?” “Forty k.” Kale fell back into the plush leather embrace of his seat. His eyes glowed a brilliant yellow, open wide in astonishment. “Forty k! You spent a fortune on her!” “Yeah, but it was perfect for her. Eltanin loves her grenades, and the hand cannon I bought her was modified by Army of One.” “Damn. Might as well have bought her a wedding ring.” Kale muttered. “Huh?” “Nothing.” Kale stood up, turning the Crucible match off. He started for the door. “Where are you going?” Zahir stood up as well. “You mean, where are we going? Let’s hunt some Vex or somethin’, make some of your money back. I’m getting a rental jumpship. Meet me at the Courtyard in an hour.” “Ah… okay.” Zahir began walking to his room. “Better make me some fettucini afterward!” Kale’s voice trailed off as he disappeared behind the door. “Zahir.” Crucius appeared as Zahir began donning his armor. “Hm?” “Rent’s due in a week.” Crucius blinked and spun his shell in amusement as Zahir picked up his pace.