nexus_crossings | https://tinyurl.com/ufdk43p

https://tinyurl.com/ufdk43p

A trail of strange, unidentifiable red petals winds through the plaza this cold day in the Nexus. Not a heap of them, but enough small bits of brilliant red to pop out amid the snow and dreary ground to leave a distinct marking of something or someone passing through.

The trail leads anyone following it to Nike, currently brushing more of those petals out of her impossibly long golden tresses, her brow furrowed in concentration. It's more of an emotion than her countenance normally belies. She startles to see anyone approaching her and drops her hands from her hair quickly. Scrambles for a long piece of red and white cloth she's got folded into her pack.

"Apologies. I did have queries for the populace today." Her fingers grip and cinch the fabric between them, slowly working their ways down the length of the cloth. She fidgets with it while she addresses anyone who will listen.

"Why do people choose partners based on mere attraction? Out of dozens of qualifying attributes, why should something so unimportant have a disproportionate weight to the equation? The choice could be made based on compatibility of skills, or a mutually sought after goal or..." Nike trails off and with a sudden forceful flick of her wrist bunches up the fabric in her hands to flop against her thighs in clear frustration. The demon clearly does not understand and it's eating at her.

"Why do you do this?"

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Oh. Oh no, Nike. Blaze comes in here after a Crucible match to find you like this and now she's realizing there's yet another thing she never thought of having a Talk about. The poor angel looks so troubled by the whole thing, the Titan can't but feel a guilty pang. Even if she's not really sure what's got her team-mate's feathers in a fluster.

She approaches more slowly than usual, hesitating rather than lift a hand and call out to Nike. Catches enough of a previous conversation to know what she's asking about.

"Well, uh..." She sounds uncharacteristically sheepish, speaking up. Damn, but this isn't a subject she's best fit to talk about. Nor is Ghost going to be any help: he's backed off to look at her in the way he does when he's very happy to sit and watch, thank you Guardian. Still. She knows some things. "You've got to start with something, right? Got to be something that sparks your interest. You know, something that makes you think you want 'I want to be around them."

Oh, oh no. She's been caught calling humans foolish while Blaze is in earshot. Nike actually drops the cloth when she notices her Mistress approach, bringing both of her hands up to cover her mouth as though that would take back all of the things she has said in frustration to the people who would listen to her.

"Blaze--this was not. I did not mean to imply anything about you in particular. I'm...I am sorry for coming here rather than seeking out your advice. I didn't think it was worthy of your time to bother you with..."

"I mean, I figured you weren't talking about me exactly." If only because Blaze... hasn't been keeping all that much regular company, even during the Crimson Days. Partnering up with anyone who asks is more like it.

She stoops to pick up the fallen cloth and offer it back with a tilt of her head. "It's okay. It's good that you're figuring things out. Even humans get confused when it comes to relationships. Hell, I don't understand most of the time either."

She must have done, once. But it's been a very long time, and those aren't the things that come back to her any more.

"Their celebrations just don't make sense. With everything you're out there fighting against...and how limited the resources are..." To spend this much effort on something that seems to an Outsider as superficial just feels wasteful and disrespectful to the civilians living far below the tower in the Last City.

"I have asked others here. I...may not be capable of understanding. My instincts are not the same as a human's and nor do I have the 'feelings' people speak of for others." Nor is she worthy of taking part in their rituals. She is a hanger-on in this world. Only a part of it by association. Nike was never Chosen by the Light.

"I...am sorry."

"With everything we're up against, being able to celebrate together is a victory all by itself." There was a long time, in the Dark Age, when it must have seemed all those simple human joys were gone forever. It took centuries of sacrifice and determination to carve out a space of their own, build strong walls and a safe home where people could be human again.

Comprehending romance isn't something she's best suited to give advice on; Blaze fake-clears her throat for a moment. "Well, maybe. Nothing wrong with that. Not everybody feels that kind of attraction. But you care about people." She's pretty sure of that. Also, she does remember Nike blushing at least once before, so... hmm...

"Sorry?" Sheeee was distracted by a memory for a second there. She's blinking at Nike, her voice low and concerned. "What have you got to be sorry about, Nike?"

"Is it..?" But Blaze is so earnest in her declaration, Nike knows she's sincere about it. She hasn't really ever heard the Exo try to lie to her or anyone really. No reason to think she'd start doing so now. "So then, I could join in even if I was not a desirable partner?"

She has no biological drive to find a mate for procreating, has no real attachments to anyone within the City save for Blaze, and Ghost, and...well. Steve is no longer with them anymore but he was a good companion as well. Blaze's other companions she gives a wide berth. Nike is certain they would find her lacking if they knew what she is. She hasn't desired to cause Blaze any trouble there. But Blaze is right--Nike does care about the people of the City. As much as she cares about the people here. Protecting others and healing the ill and injured are as core to Her as any other Guardian worth their salt.

"I am making every effort to understand humans. To better fit in among the people who make up your home. I just..." She drops her gaze. The floor won't care if her expression falls any. "I worry I will never be able to integrate. That my existence will cause suspicion if your superiors ever learn what I am."

"You're not- I mean, I don't know why you'd think that. Hell, you're the prettiest woman I know, even when you're not putting the fear of the Light into a pack of thrall." Lying, mincing her words, these things don't come easily to her. "But even if you're not interested in anyone romantically, it doesn't matter. The Crimson Days are about true friendships, too. Any bond strong enough you'd shed blood for it. Even if you're still working on that. Humans have to learn this stuff too, you know."

It's all part of growing up. Becoming a fully-fledged person who knows their own needs and desires. Nike may be coming at that from a very different trajectory to a young human - or even a reborn Guardian - but she's learning.

...Learning well enough to worry about fitting in, apparently. There's a flare of surprise and pride even as her circuits twinge at the look on the angel's face. Blaze steps closer, a warm hand closing on Nike's shoulder.

"Like the Vanguard...? They already know." Secrets, in general, Blaze doesn't do well with. "I mean I told them about you after the demon invasion. Although I guess back then there was a lot I didn't understand." Did she remember to fill them in on everything she learned? Probably not, but she doesn't see it making much difference.

"I don't know if Zavala likes it," she admits, "but where I'm concerned I'm pretty sure you're the least of his worries. Your loyalty's absolute, your actions are noble, and you've proved your valor in every battle we've faced. No-one's got any right to question your place with us." Fierce certainty on that. She'd fight anyone who did.

"But I am not human, and I am no Guardian. Physical attributes were not..." Does she want to argue this? Trying to explain her logic to Blaze doesn't feel nearly as pertinent so soon after being told she is aesthetically pleasing to the Exo. Both off and on the battlefield. She flushes slightly with the praise before nodding quickly. "If any bond is acceptable, then I have misunderstood the premise of the Days. I would fight at your side, or at Ghost's were he to ask."

Their other friends are either gone for the time or no longer here at all.

"I was not aware your superiors knew of my origins. I thought it strange that they never questioned my coming along with you on your missions as I was certain my status as being a Non-Guardian would be obvious." Blaze's grip is strong, sure of itself as ever. Nike cannot help but to relax a little. She is not surprised to learn that the leader of the Titans is not pleased with her existence. But if he has deigned not to give Blaze trouble over it then Nike has little to fear. "Of course I have done these things. You would expect no less from your team."

Edited 2020-03-28 13:46 (UTC)

"You're closer than I am, physically." Not that Blaze doesn't get an idea where the angel is coming from. The question of physical compatibility is one she's struggled with too, when she thinks about these matters. More reason not to worry about it.

"I'm glad to fight alongside you any day, Nike," she says simply, and Ghost chirps agreement behind her. "Never really expected I'd have a team, but it's kinda hard to pretend otherwise. I've been... real damn lucky, if you ask me."

She pulls back a step, chuckling awkwardly. "I guess my point is, if a cute Guardian asks you to fight with them, you shouldn't be scared to say yes. Or a civilian, even." Civilians do stuff too!

"Your kind are welcomed there." Nike replies gently. Brings up her gloved hands to touch at the back of Blaze's armor where the gauntlet grips at her own robes. "For what little it matters, I find your markings aesthetically pleasing as well." There's no harm in saying so if it makes Blaze feel better about her appearance. Especially considering it's true. White, yellow, and gold are colors she is quietly content to take on for her own gear to match the Exo.

She lets go when Blaze steps back and can't help the surprised laugh the Titan startles out of her at the end.

"I did learn a bit about what constitutes as 'cute' today, I suppose. I can put that lesson to use."

"Oh, sure, but- ahh, it's complicated." There's no taboo around Exos having relations with any of their organic kindred. (Nor each other, but there's so few of them left it's hardly a consideration.) It happens. But so much of biology and attraction is hardwired in, to say nothing of the practical aspects... well, that's not Nike's problem and it doesn't even have to be hers. She lets out a surprised chuckle at the compliment. "Thanks, Nike."

Good, she got Nike to laugh. The angel so rarely does.

"Good! So... want to come show off in the Crucible with me?" If anything will net her the admiration she deserves, that will.

There's a pause where Nike just watches Blaze, almost laughing again until she realizes that the titan isn't joking with her and that the invitation is genuine. Her fingers wring into the cloth that's been all but forgotten in her hands. Why has her voice gone?

Nike swallows. Nods jerkily a few times before she can get a word out.

"...Yes. I would...I need the practice anyway."

Blaze's optics flare brighter as she kinda-grins in the way you have to know Exos to recognize. "All right! Ghost, tell Shaxx to slot us in ASAP." She claps her hands together, satisfied.

"Come on, let's get to the ship. We've gotta decide what to wear."

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