+1 Legend

[legendary_titan]

[[ooc: Saint's Navigation post is here! If there is any Russian speakers playing here, I'm using google translate, so I apologize if anything he says is incorrect! I won't mind at all if anyone corrects me! I love languages and learning about them. As an added note, I'll add what he said in English at the bottom of the post.]]



With a rustle of plate armor, Saint-14 sat up and looked around. He was currently sitting in a snowbank in what appeared to be a wooded area. Bewildered, his helmeted head looked this way and that as he tried to figure out where he was. It definitely wasn't where he was before. Wherever this was, it was heading into evening, and it was cold and snowing. Looking up instantly told him that he wasn't in the Last City, for there was no sign of the looming shape of the Traveler up above him.

Instantly wary, the Titan levered to his feet, straightening to his formidable height. Last he recalled, he had been in the Tower Hanger...how did he get here? He tried opening communications but received no signal. His Ghost apparently was as flummoxed as he was. The most important thing was that there weren't any nearby threats.

Not bothering to unsling the large shotgun on his back, Saint strode off through the snow. There appeared to be some sort of path, so perhaps he was near a settlement.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Saint stood on the edge of the plaza, staring at the large assortment of partially snow covered couches, benches and tables. Large vidscreens were playing videos and playing announcements by the looks of it. There were people walking about of various shapes and sizes...and species that he didn’t recognize.

”Bozhe moi…” He muttered. “Gde ya, chert voz'mi?” It was only the fact that no one was trying to kill him or each other, that he didn’t pull his weapon. In fact, people were just going about their business as if nothing was amiss.

Once again, the Titan found himself far from home. After being in the Infinite Forest for so long, it was nice to find himself in a place that wasn’t a constant fight for survival. Next step would obviously be, ask around and find out where he was and find a place to warm up and regroup. Not paying any mind to the snow covering parts of his armor, Saint strode off through the plaza to do just that.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later, Saint-14 found himself in a nearby Cafe; sitting at a table in a corner (and almost looking comically too big for it) and looking through multiple pamphlets. After talking to various locals, he had been directed to where he could warm up and find the information he would need. Some info was very interesting - and some shocking. Especially when finding out that this was a different dimension. However the fact he could freely travel between here and his own world via what was called a PINpoint, put him more at ease.

When he came across the info about the Fallen living in the wilds, the Titan surged to his feet, nearly upending the table. He gingerly sat back down after a few moments (and noting the stares) - reading through the pamphlet again while quietly containing his knee jerk fury. Those bastards. After reading about some sort of truce, he crumpled up the paper in his fist before dumping it onto the table in furious disgust.

It took several minutes for him to calm himself, looking down at the other pamphlets on the table. He might as well follow the advice that he had read in one of them. He uttered a deep sigh, speaking up to the groups of people moving through the cafe at large.

“How far are you willing to go, to fight for the places and people that you love?” He spoke up, feeling kind of strange for just randomly speaking up to no one in particular. Despite his intimidating appearance, the deep voice coming out of the crested helmet was warm and kind; very heavily laced with a Russian accent. “Are you willing to stand up and defend your home and protect it?”


[[ooc: Russian translation: "Oh my god. Where the hell am I?"]]

Comments

[dennis_murdoc]

"Uh, yeahhh, but I'm not looking to be recruited," Dennis answers, a bit warily. "It's important for people who can fight to stand up for those who can't."

[legendary_titan]

"Da...this is true." Saint nodded. "As Titan, that is my job." He waved a hand a little. "I am not trying to recruit, my friend. I am merely curious about this world and if it has strong fighters."

[dennis_murdoc]

"Oh, well, there are some. I'm not sure how many or anything. But, even the Nexus weirdness aside, you get any large group of people together and, statistically, there's bound to be some fighters among them."

[legendary_titan]

Saint nodded with a grunt of agreement, looking down at the pamphlets spread out on the table. "I have only just arrived. Rather ah...suddenly and unexpectedly. So I am still learning about this place." He admitted before looking up again, inclining his head. "My name is Saint-14. A Guardian of the Last City. It is good to meet you."

[skeksisheretic]

"There are other ways to protect besides fighting. There are many fighters here, including a great many of you Guardians. Rather than fight myself, my counterpart urGoh and I choose to enable those who can fight and help them on their way." An old Skeksis looks up from his place in the Cafe, recognizing Guardian armor.

skekGra was once the Conqueror, and his old skills haven't completely left him in the hundreds of trine since he was banished from the Order of the Crystal and declared Heretic by the other Skeksis. However, he doesn't fight, partly to protect urGoh. Their link meant that, if skekGra was reckless, he would be risking the Mystic's life. He also chose to lay down his weapons as part of rejecting his old identity as one of skekSo's enforcers.

"I'm helping animals, and maybe people, too, leave my planet for their own protection. War came to Thra, and the planet's becoming poisoned by an enemy urGoh and I cannot stop. I'm defending them as best I can without picking up weapons myself."

[legendary_titan]

Hearing the other voice speak up, Saint uttered a pleased noise. "Ah, good! It is good to know other Guardians are here. Hmm yes, I would like to meet them." He put the pamphlet he was looking at down and looked over at the one who spoke; words freezing in his throat as he saw an odd creature that was almost reptilian and birdlike in nature. He had never seen anything quite like it before.

Like most from his world, the Titan wasn't used to non-humanoids that weren't hostile. So this was definitely a new experience. If it wasn't for his many many years of discipline and training, he probably would have had a weapon in hand by now as a precaution. But it was that same experience that told him that this creature did not want to fight. The crested helm tilted slightly as he simply listened; keeping very still and his hands visible on the table while the creature continued speaking. His fingers curled inwards in a restless gesture - but otherwise remained relaxed.

"There is nothing wrong with being in a more supportive role." He said after a few moments of stunned silence. "In fact, those on the frontlines like I am are appreciative of it." Always expressive with his hands, he placed one on his chest and inclined his head slightly. "I am a Titan. We are those that stand between the foe and the last refuge of humanity." He rapped his knuckles on his chest plate slightly for emphasis. "It is our solemn duty to fight for those that cannot."

Saint was quiet for another few moments as he pondered how to ask his next question. "I mean no offense...but ah...what are you?" He had read that beings from all over the multiverse came here - including from other worlds. This fellow obviously came from another such world in another universe. The Titan didn't have much of a hard time grasping that concept, considering how much time he had spent in the Infinite Forest.

[skeksisheretic]

"I am a Skeksis!" The Heretic cheerfully answers the question. "My people are the rulers of the planet of Thra. I was banished from the Skeksis court because I wanted to be one with my Mystic counterpart urGoh again. It's very complicated. Hard to explain. But I am a fun Skeksis, here in the Nexus to perform my operas and my puppet shows in peace." He jerks his head slightly. If Saint looks closely, he'll see that the nail on skekGra's head is in fact not part of a hat, but hammered into the bird-creature's head.

skekGra doesn't know Saint well, but he already likes him. He likes most people, but there's something about Guardians he respects even as a creature of darkness at heart. Maybe it's their dedication to protecting their home universe, even in the face of difficult odds. He can respect that. While he's dedicated to civilian life, occasional work in Thra aside, fighters who can protect the Nexus are all the more important.

"I know a little about your world, and only a little about your enemies. Your world sounds like a troubled one, too." skekGra scrapes a clawed foot on the ground. "While I am a better Skeksis and have been for hundreds of trine, I'm afraid my past is far from spotless. So I'm not sure how much I am allowed to judge your foes for their actions. However, it's good that your people are here to keep the peace between them and us, and this place is a welcome place if you want to rest from fighting."

The Heretic appreciates it himself, even if the Nexus isn't completely free of potential dangers and problems. It's a better place to live at the moment than Thra, and it's easier for him to move animals and plants to relative safety.

[legendary_titan]

Saint had never heard of a Skeksis or the planet of Thra, but he listened with keen interest just the same. He could understand complicated - considering his own history and the world that he came from. The odd fellow (was that a nail in his head?) seemed friendly enough. The mention of his own world surprised him and he nodded.

"Yes, it is." He said in agreement with a wry chuckle. "Heh, if it is any consolation - Guardians do not have a spotless past either. What matters is how we have grown into what we are today." He rapped his knuckles slightly on the table for emphasis. After a couple moments of thought, the Titan gestured at the chair across from him. "Come and sit, friend. What is your name?"

[skeksisheretic]

skekGra had never heard of Guardians or Fallen until he came to the Nexus, so that makes two of them. He still doesn't completely understand the things Katiri told him and doubts he ever will, just like there are things on Thra which would probably confuse an outsider to the planet. skekGra himself is one of those confusing things.

"I am skekGra the Heretic." The Skeksis gets into the chair, a little awkward between his size and his tail. He eventually drapes it around the side. He eagerly looks up to the armored Guardian, not in the least bit intimidated. "And you are?"

this is half voicetest so please bear with me lol

[risenintothevoid]

Titans are usually easy to spot, and this one is no exception either. Heavy Exo feet trudge easily through the snow, hands animatedly gesturing at nothing as she banters with the little floating Ghost bobbing along over her shoulder. "Look, I'm just saying, I think it would work if we had more explosives."

"That is your answer for everything," the Ghost replies, sounding weary but resigned.

"And when am I wrong?" Her faceplates shift in a grin, and then she is distracted by the question being thrown her way by... another Titan. With a very cool-looking helmet. And are those ribbons? Nice duds. "You bet your ass I am. I mean, I'm glad there's enough of us that I don't have to do it all by myself, but I'd give it a shot anyway if I had to."

The Ghost's optic narrows a little, lighting up at the sight of the older Titan. Is that...? It sure looks like him. Is this why he disappeared; he came here? Or is this just Nexus shenanigans at play? His Guardian is Risen a little too young to know Saint-14 by sight, but not her Ghost.

Haha same! <3

[legendary_titan]

Saint slapped the table with a hand, tossing back his head with the brief bark of a laugh. "Haha!! Good answer! I like it." Turning his head, he looked over and spotted the other Exo and the little Ghost floating beside them. His face wasn't visible, but his accented voice gave the impression that he was beaming. "A fellow Titan! I should have known."

He stood up smoothly, gesturing towards the other chair across from him at the small cafe table. "Come my friend! Sit with me." He held out a welcoming hand to the other Guardian.

[risenintothevoid]

What is it about Titans and their enthusiasm for throwing themselves headfirst into a fight? The world may never know, but it thanks them for it anyway.

She takes his hand without hesitation, giving it a firm shake. "Thanks. Aegis-9. I don't think I've seen you around before?" That doesn't sound like it surprises her though. There are a lot of Guardians she only knows in passing, if at all. That's what happens when you're out and about all the time.

[legendary_titan]

Saint reached up with his other hand to grasp the other Titan's between his own when he returned the handshake heartily. "Saint-14." He introduced himself warmly before answering her question. "I have only just arrived and was reading about this strange place." He let go of Aegis's hand and gestured at the table where all the pamphlets he had collected were spread out. One of them was crumpled up into a ball.

"Did you arrive by accident like I did?" He wondered, moving to sit back down at the table. There was an empty chair opposite him that he gestured at in invitation, happy to speak to another Guardian in such strange territory.

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben figured that eventually he'll have to talk to the Guardians. They aren't an authority in this place, there is none, but there are enough of them that he takes note of their presence. He wants to check in with them and make it abundantly clear that he's not in the Nexus to start any kind of trouble.

He's not sure who or what those weapons they bristle with are there to fight, maybe it's a defensive measure, but they're clearly experienced combatants and their world is probably one of the less peaceful ones. Ben wants to prevent misunderstandings with them before they start - he's fighting to overcome his past here, and while making friends isn't a priority he isn't here to make enemies, either.

This Guardian gets his attention when Ben notices him crumpling up the paper. Something in the pamphlet upset him, clearly - while Ben's still prone to fits of temper, which he's trying to rein in (and, thankfully, they're much less violent than they once were), the Guardian otherwise seems controlled.

"New here, I'm assuming?" Ben looks over from his seat at the table to the big Guardian. He's not used to feeling small, but between the Guardian's size and the armor he does. "So am I."

[legendary_titan]

Saint's head had been tilted down; staring at the crumpled pamphlet on the table when he heard someone speak up. "Hm?" His helmeted head rose as he looked over at the dark haired human sitting at a nearby table. "Ah. Da I am new." He confirmed. "I arrived today actually - rather suddenly and accidentally." He added, tilting his head at the stranger.

"If you need some information, I have some pamphlets that I had gathered about this strange place." He gestured with a hand at his table. "I do not mind if you wish to read them." His deep accented tones were both warm and welcoming as he offered the info to the fellow newcomer.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"You don't need to worry about that. I've already read the pamphlets. Keep them." Ben turns down the offer. "I'm not as new as you are - I guessed you were new because of the way you reacted to something you read in them. You didn't seem very happy about it, either - if you don't mind me asking, what was it?"

If there's something here that could be a future issue, he wants to know about it. Being blindsided by a threat is inevitable given the nature of the Nexus. This is something important enough to be in the pamphlets, though, and something the newcomer might know more about.

"As for your question - I'd rather not fight in the Nexus, not outside of sparring, but I will if I have to." Charging headfirst into fights is one of the habits Ben's trying to break, or at least channel into something else. "But I like to think that won't be necessary here."

[legendary_titan]

At the question, Saint looked down at the table a moment as he eyed the crumpled pamphlet. "It was information about the Wilds and the dangers there." He said finally. "One of these dangers is a race called the Fallen. They somehow got here from my world and have set up territory. They are extremely violent and dangerous." His fingers curled into his palms on the table as he spoke. "There is some kind of ceasefire set up that basically prevents us from retaliating, but I aim to find out more information on this." He grumbled finally.

"I advise avoiding confrontation until this gets sorted." He tilted his head slightly. "As for your answer, it is a good one. If all goes well, you won't have to be concerned about fighting. I'm a Titan. Any Fallen will have to get through me first before they come near the civilians here." This he said with absolute certainty.

[rekindledtitan]

Either Saint or his Ghost may have already noticed the occasional ping on the comms from a nearby Vanguard-issue patrol beacon. Even if the conversation with the locals has distracted them, the new arrival has certainly been noticed. There are many pairs of eyes watching the Nexus these days. That said, a new Guardian in town isn't an emergency, as such, and it took a little while before Blaze could drop back in from patrol. She heads right for where her Hunter friend said to look, and she's in time to catch a question being asked.

"Far as it takes me. Couldn't do any less." Her helm is held loose in one hand as she approaches, a doubtless familiar mark draped from her belt. Her golden optics flit over the newcomer with appraisal- and then amusement.

"Hey, nice outfit! You look exactly like that statue of Saint back in the halls." She wouldn't go that far, herself, but you've got to respect that dedication to a tribute. The Exo Titan gives him a friendly salute by way of greeting. Her tone is good-natured, teasing: "Fan of his, huh?"

Beside her shoulder, her Ghost twitches his points uncertainly. "Uh, Blaze...?""

[legendary_titan]

Saint's head turned towards the Guardian that was approaching. Her Light was bright and fierce. A Titan and Exo, like himself. He was smiling though it was unseen behind the visor.

"There is more Guardians here than expected. I should have known considering the beacon I picked up earlier." His Ghost spoke up quietly on his personal comm channel. Saint hm'ed slightly, also pleased about that. The more the merrier in his opinion. Maybe they could all work out something about those damned Fallen in the wilds.

"Ah, good answer my friend." He said happily in response to the Exo's answer, though he paused at her words with hidden amusement. After a few moments of silence, he couldn't help but chuckle before he stood up, reaching out a hand to shake.

"Saint-14. Nice to meet you Titan." He said warmly, accented voice laced with open humor. "What's this about a statue??" The thought that someone would put up a statue of him caught him by surprise. If anyone should get a statue it was the brave Guardian who saved his life.

[rekindledtitan]

For a couple of seconds his silence starts to make Blaze think she’s embarrassed him. Judging by the mess around the place, this guy hasn’t been having a good day. But he chuckles and extends a hand, so it’s all right. And he even plays along with her joke! Blaze laughs genuinely as she clasps his hand- and Light, this man is strong, even for an Exo Titan. It’s like locking forearms with Lord Shaxx.
“Good one! Blaze-37, Sunbreaker Order. Glad I found you out here, ‘Saint’-“ She almost winks at him but at this point her Ghost floats close enough to hiss her name into her audio, demanding attention. Her head snaps around to look at him.

“It really sounds like him!” the Ghost insists as quietly as he can. Blaze stares for a second, and then the pair of them turn to stare at Saint.

“You’re not taking me for a skiff ride, are you?” Blaze asks, a lot more uncertainly. “You’re really him?”

[legendary_titan]

Saint happily returned the handshake with a firm, enthusiastic grip. His head tilted though at the fact she still didn't think he was actually who he said he was. This amused him more than anything so he just took it in stride. He released Blaze's hand when her Ghost sidled closer. He looked between them and it truly was hard not to laugh when they both turned their attention to him.

"Of course not." He couldn't hold back a laugh any longer. "Why would I lie about who I am?" He gestured at the seat across from him at the small cafe table. "Come, sit with me. It is good to meet another Titan in this strange place."

[readvondaniken]

"Can," Palmer says, "and have. I hope I'll never need to again, though. I don't like killing, but some folks won't give you the choice."

Palmer knows what an Exo looks like at this point. This Guardian feels different than Katiri - bigger, more important. The mechanic gets to his feet and salutes.

"Guessin' you heard about the neighbors from House Winter. Can't say I'm thrilled they're here, but from the looks of things they ain't goin' anywhere. They got our hands tied. If you've got any questions 'bout the Long Winter, and I'm guessin' you do, James Palmer's your man. Didn't see everything, but I was there in the thick of it." Palmer offers a hand to the new Guardian. "You a friend of Katiri?"

[legendary_titan]

Saint looks up at the new voice, spotting the saluting human. "This is true." He nodded, glancing back at the pamphlets on the table at the mention of House Winter. "Well, I appreciate any information. I intend on reaching out to the other Guardians here to get further details." He uttered, looking up at the offered hand and reaching out to shake it in a firm grip.

"Saint-14." He introduced himself to Palmer. The name caught him by surprise. "Ah, you know her? She is a Warlock that has been assisting me back at the Tower. There has been a lot to acclimate to since I've been away."

[readvondaniken]

"Katiri? Yeah, she's one of my housemates." Palmer smiles. "She and her Ghost."

Then he sobers again.

"Here's the gist of it. Last winter, things got weird here. Portals on the fritz, anti-violence field down. There was the worst winter storm I'd ever seen outside of Antarctica. Then strange, nasty creatures started showing up, and we found bodies in the snow with their heads cut off. We fought them a few times - intelligent, but vicious and not very chatty. We were hungry and weakened by cold, while they weren't bothered at all, so we were at a disadvantage. Blaze-37, our resident Guardian, later identified our attackers as Fallen raiders from House Winter. It all came to a head when the Fallen took food that had been left out for us. It was obviously a trap, but folks were starving, so we decided to take the chance. We won and brought the food home, but they made us fight for every inch of it. We lost a few people on the way - Josh, Blaze - but they lost more of theirs.

I thought they were just a bunch of assholes, keeping food from hungry people that it turns out they didn't need. But after the battle one of us, Loki, brought a message from the Fallen leader, Baroness Pelsor - and Blaze-37's head. When Blaze was taken down in the fight, Pelsor's crew scavenged her remains and took her Ghost prisoner. She offered us a deal through Loki: marked territory in the Wilds for her House in return for a ceasefire and Blaze and Ghost's lives. That land would be barred from non-Fallen on pain of death. If we said no, well, she didn't say what would happen, but we assumed she'd kill her hostages and order her forces to overrun the Nexus. So we took the deal. Pelsor gave us Ghost and Blaze back. That territory's marked off. No one goes there now. We haven't seen them since, but they can turn invisible, so..."

Palmer knows Katiri said Guardians have ways to detect Fallen, but they can't be everywhere at once. The fact he hasn't seen one doesn't mean they aren't out there, or that they haven't been watching from a safe distance.

"We weren't able to identify everyone who was killed, since the Fallen took the heads back home for trophies and we ain't getting them back. Katiri thinks they're using us Nexus folks as insurance to make sure you Guardians go along with their truce. There's enough of you to wipe her crew out, if you chose to. But if you attack them, they burn everything down." Palmer draws a finger across his throat. "I dunno much about Pelsor personally, but she's smart and dangerous. She was one step ahead of us all winter. I wouldn't be surprised if she's keeping tabs on us somehow. You Guardians especially. For what it's worth, I have the impression the Baroness thinks she won, or at least got what she wanted."

There are other people in the Nexus who would probably be as much or more of a potential threat to the Eliksni in terms of raw power, but the Guardians are their oldest enemies, so it makes sense that more of Pelsor's attention would be on them.

"The last thing is we don't really know how they got here. Blaze thinks they followed her in somehow. Katiri figures Pelsor might've had help from somebody in the Nexus. I thought they could've had spies already placed here in secret, who called in the main force during the storm. It wasn't a bunch of stragglers who stumbled in by accident - Pelsor brought a small army with gear, weapons, and ships, and didn't waste a second. I don't think it was a coincidence they showed up when we were already having a rough time, either. This stunt was planned."

[legendary_titan]

"Oh? She lives with you?" Well, this was interesting. He didn't realize Katiri had a place to reside here in the Nexus too. He would have to meet up with her later to ask some questions then. "Hah. Luce is quite the character." He uttered, amused. "He's the chattiest Ghost I have ever met."

When Palmer settled to brief him on what he knew, Saint leaned back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest while poising one hand beneath his chin. He rubbed a finger absently on the bottom edge of his helmet while absorbing what was said. Are you getting this? He asked on his internal comm system. Of course, his Ghost Geppetto was listening. Every word. His Ghost confirmed. Saint nodded slightly with a soft 'hmm'.

Nothing that Palmer said, gave him any surprises. The Fallen were monsters plain and simple. The fact that they actually took a Ghost as a hostage to start the process for this blasted truce to hold the Nexus under their collective thumb made him bristle silently though. "Eti ublyudki! Otvratitel'nyye zhivotnyye. Kazhdyy iz nikh..." The Titan hissed under his breath, shaking his head in disgust.

"Oh, it was planned..." He wagged a finger. "I guarantee it. Just as much as I guarantee this will not end without a fight whether they start it or we do. You can be assured however that there is enough of us - even non-guardian combatants - to wipe them all out. Plus we will work to discover how they got here." He slapped a hand on the table, careful not to do it too hard.

"As for the civilians here, they will have to get through me first." There was no if's, ands or buts about it.


[[ooc: Rough Translation from Russian: Those bastards! Disgusting animals. Every one of them.]]