nexus_crossings | Scorched Earth Policies

Scorched Earth Policies

Blaze tends to treat the Plaza as one stop on her patrol route through the Nexus - and usually the last stop, at that. Today, however, she’s not going anywhere else. She didn’t even stop to repair the burns and blade-marks that mar her white armor before she showed up, and she doesn’t sit now. When her boots hit the paving stones she strides a little way further in and just stands there, metal face locked in a frown. Her tiny silver Ghost materializes beside her shoulder, shell spinning as he studies his troubled Guardian.

"If you found out someone erased part of your history from the records, how would you deal with that?” she blurts out, never one to hold back on her thoughts. Her helm’s gripped in her left hand, and she taps it against her leg uneasily. “You think there are any stories that just shouldn't be remembered?"

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"Outside of the Nexus?"

Angel's eyes widen slightly. This is an opportunity she has insofar never been given. Being allowed to serve her masters in their own worlds. She's nodding before she even realizes she's moving, flitting in front of Blaze and smiling subtly as she speaks up.

"I would be honored to assist you in your efforts. Anything you need of me you have but to ask."

Blaze's doubts falter fast at that tiny smile. From Angel, that's as good as a beaming whoop. And despite her protective instincts, the Titan always has a hard time with he idea of denying people their chance to fight. Even if they're likely to die.

Everyone dies. Guardians and civilians alike. The war still has to be fought.

"I thought you'd say that," Ghost comments cheerfully, pleased to have been right.

"All right, then." Blaze nods. Her glowing eyes are level with Angel's, something warm in her voice. "I don't know if this is a dumb question, but - what kind of atmosphere do you need? Are airborne toxins an issue for you?"

Angel is the one made of flesh and bone and yet her emotions have always been more subtle--more stunted--than Blaze's. For so long it was simpler just to pretend she did not have any. There is no room for emotion in the demon realm. Survival is all that matters there.

So when she smiles however softly others would be screaming in cheer or joy.

"As a contracted demon, my mortality depends only on yourself. I can be killed of course, but so long as you draw breath I can be revived again and again. For how long I've no idea. It's not something I've ever tested out. You and Sir Jesse are my first contracts, after all."

Angel's taken up a spot next to Blaze now, fluttering at an angle so she can see Ghost as well while she speaks.

"I do not know the answer to that question. I've only ever existed in the realm of Man, and the demon realm. I am capable of being affected by acids and poisons, so I suspect my constitution is similar ot that of a human's if not more robust."

"Wait- wait, what?" Blaze turns with her, the Exo looking downright startled now. So does Ghost, to be fair. "You mean..." she gestures animatedly between them with an armored hand, "I can revive you somehow, just like Ghost revives me?" She gives that a second to sink in, and then breaks into delighted laughter.

"This is going to be amazing! You only stay dead if I do, I only stay dead if I lose Ghost- haha! Imagine the enemies' faces if they figure that out!" She's really warming to the idea, now, enthusiasm in full force. She wants to try this!

"We'd still better get you an environment suit. Just in case."

"I'd rather not go dying just for the fun of it you know...."

Somehow Angel doubts very much that Blaze is listening all too closely but her mistress is so thrilled by the prospect that Angel can't see herself getting too upset no matter what her plans entail. She flutters around the two of them, head tilted in curiosity.

"Just how do you fight, Blaze? You have electricity magic that I've seen. I'm surprised you can manage to sustain that without running out of energy."

"I guess not, but the way it is out there someone's always gonna get killed once or twice."

"Um, not always..." Ghost protests, but Angel's asked about fighting and oh but his Guardian loves that topic of conversation.

"What, this? My Light sustains it," Blaze explains, lifting a fist that crackles and sparks for a second. "The more creatures of the Darkness I kill, the faster it flows back. I have the guns, too." She jerks a thumb at the rifle and shotgun clipped to her back, each themselves carrying a faint echo of soaked-in Light. "But I'm a Striker Titan - it's my job to charge into the enemy ranks, break their formations and engage at close quarters. More fun that way, if you ask me."

"Guns?"

And oh, the head tilt is back again. She flutters over Blaze's shoulder and plants both hands on the Exo's armor as she leans over her mistress to look at the weapons clipped to her back.

"Ah, yes. A favored weapon among humans. I've never used one before. I imagine aiming them is the same as magic though." She spares a glance toward Ghost. It's all the same, right?

Blaze turns to watch Angel peer over her shoulder, eyes bright with amusement. It's a good thing her weapons are attached barrels-down. Angel's so cute when she gets curious.

"You know, I never asked a Warlock that. Want to find out? I could teach you how to use one."

She would have looked down like that even if the barrels had been pointing up. The demon is curious but not always the most brilliant when it comes to things most people would find to be common sense.

"I would. If it will make me a better fighter then I will pick up any skill you would teach me." She pulls back to smile down at the Exo, unable to contain her excitement at the prospect of getting to help her mistress more fully.

"Thank you, Blaze."

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Scorched Earth Policies

And so the canon begins....

And the cannons too

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