Destiny - Oh Guardian Mine

[upforanything]

The damp foliage clings to him with needy brushes that only annoy rather than impede. Thick underbrush like this wasn’t a far cry from the forests of Earth but they were far less soaked than the Venusian woods that he found himself in for the week’s patrolling. The greenery was almost enough to suffocate his senses and HUD if not for the tinkering that he had done to cut down on natural interference. Better yet he wouldn’t trade this for the Maat Mons bulk that had flooded the work boards when he had gone searching for a change of pace. Regardless thankfully he had made the proper preparations so that he wouldn’t feel as though he was slogging his way through the place and creating more of a fuss than was necessary. The same couldn’t be said of the fireteam that had stopped him when he first transmatted in at the base of the forest.

The titan had been rather vocal on the effort that the forest could demand on any that dared to trek through its depths. However the hunter had been caught in his curiosity by a warlock that muttered of creatures within the living expanse. Warnings given to him of creatures that could change their shape and mess with a guardian’s mind if given the chance. Ones that could feed upon desires if not kept in check. That they could grow stronger if allowed to be fed upon and spell disaster no matter the brief bliss that could be offered in return.

Ahamkara, the warlock named them. Akin to the dragons of ages long past but infinitely more cunning and dangerous. Renders of reality.

Matthieu hardly expected to be graced with such a creature’s appearance what with them being nothing more than stories shared late at night by guardians far older than him. He wasn’t as interesting or rather appetizing in this case. Not compared to those that had been on dozens of strikes against the city’s enemies or lived through the dark ages. No he was mostly one that did recoveries and check ups within known territory. A hunter far more comfortable helping the city than seeking some far fetched glory.

His quarry for now was simply a skiff of House Winter Fallen that buried themselves deep within the rainforest. More than likely squirreling away dozens of Golden Age artifacts and armaments from intel gleaned from teams passing through. That means a lot of hiking to be undertaken without hopefully alerting the Fallen prematurely.

Besides if he sometimes gets lost in the wildness of the place, no one can blame him. One of the perks of running solo. He can take in all that surrounds him and appreciate the peacefulness of it.

At least until he finally has to get down to business sooner rather than later.

Comments

[deepestdesires]

The Fallen were such boring creatures when it came down to things. They'd prattle about, skulking and scavaging, but their desires were simple and boorish and ultimately entirely unsatisfying in the end. Lucifer had grown to have a healthy distaste for the lot of them, they were mostly just useless when it came to satisfying his hunger. The Guardians, on the other hand, those had the most delicious desires and they were ever so willing to indulge in them on most occasions.

But then they managed to become much more of a nuisance, something about morality, and so many of his brothers and sisters had fallen to their weapons. In those moments, the Guardians had made themselves into enemies of something old, something powerful, and their invasion of Venus hadn't gone unnoticed.

He'd been careful for a very long time, but every so often there would be someone who would fancy themselves brave and he would have to deal with someone trespassing in his territory. This was one of those times, and Lucifer wasn't about to let that go unpunished.

For such a large creature, it was surprising that he could move so gracefully amongst the trees and brush, stalking the lone Guardian with keen instincts and even keener interest. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to try to tread this deep, and that in itself was actually rather interesting. It'd grown boring out in the forest, and perhaps there was time to stalk his prey and amuse himself before wiping the creature out.

And so he's laid low in the underbrush, every eye trained on the bumbling form of the man before him, and the temptation to just spring forward and snap him up is so very strong. But no, he has patience, it will be worth it in the end.

Are you lost, oh Guardian mine?

[upforanything]

The honeyed voice slips in amongst the birdsong and buzz of insects that he almost misses it. Only almost though. His mind quickly replaying the intrusion and stiffening up his body in the realization that he was no longer alone in this forest. For how long had he been not? Was the voice simply waiting until he lingered too far from the safety of the outpost?

Lance frets in his ear, speaking low of doing multiple to track the source. The voice belonged to a large creature but neither can pin down yet as to where. Still the hunter refrains from pulling out his weapon despite the creeping chill of being hunted.

His curiosity gets the better of him. “Can’t help but take in the quiet and calm of this place,” he answers, “but I know where I need to be and how to get there. Apologies if I stepped somewhere I shouldn’t have.”

His cloak snags on a bush while he moves around to get a better look, “though I am no guardian of anyone’s save for the city as a whole. Who tries to claim me as theirs?”

[deepestdesires]

It's funny to watch them squirm, he's always found amusement in the way Guardians react to the unknown. They're always so used to being the top of the food chain that any small change in their limited world view was enough to shake them to the core.

He lays still for now, eyes trained on the movement of the man before him. A hunter, he thinks, they're the ones with the cloaks if he remembers right. How ironic that they would choose to call themselves thus when it was him that was being hunted now.

I beg to differ.

There's a sense of smugness in his reply, and if he were any less a person he would be purring with anticipation. He's been alive too long to make such mistakes, however, and instead he's content to let his prey squirm for just a bit longer.

You are in my territory. You are mine, oh Guardian mine.

[upforanything]

"Yet this planet is humanity's so if I were to follow that logic you'd then be mine or rather ours. Kind of a pretentious assumption, don't you think," he retorts. Lance chides him for being so bold with something they can't see let alone understand yet. However nothing was ever gained when he was timid.

The creature thought they had him figured out. If it weren't the humidity, he half expects to be swimming in the over confidence that swallows the place. Rolling his shoulders, Matthieu straightens himself out and lets his remaining fear slide away.

"I'm not here to cause a stir by staying. Other priorities." He glances at a scattering of leaves but it was a spooked bird. "Ones that also skulk about and hide but lay claim to items rather than people."

"Sorry for intruding but I feel as though I've delayed enough," he says while trekking further towards his original heading.

[deepestdesires]

You are wrong, this planet does not belong to humanity.

Imagine being so pompous to think that Venus belonged to the small, hairless rats like that. Even at their worst, the Fallen understood who the real masters of the world were, and for that Lucifer supposes they have a bit of a leg up on this Hunter. How dare such a small creature have such an attitude!

The man is moving though, and Lucifer huffs quietly, slithering his bulk through the underbrush until he's able to cut him off with little aplomb. If this is going to be how things are to be played, he has no qualms about using his size and status to put proper respect into the Guardian.

He rears up, maw bared with rows upon rows of razor-sharp fangs and every eye trained on the prey before him as he rumbles low in the back of his throat.

[upforanything]

Lance sounds off a warning before he stumbles over the rightfully pissed scaled creature in front of him. The hunter takes a step back, glancing up to fully understand the immensity of the threat while quietly telling his ghost to slip away. There's an indignant huff but Lance follows through in case this winds up turning into a resurrection needed situation.

Blood thunders in his ears but he doesn't let himself quake. This creature was far larger than any captain let alone even the archon that he's tussled with off on Earth. The teeth and claws are the most worrying. He wasn't exactly looking forward to being ripped to shreds today or any day really.

Then he remembers what the warlock said earlier. By the Traveler, he's confronted by a in the flesh ahamkara. Whelp. That certainly complicates things.

"If you kill me, the Vanguard will know." Lance protests but ultimately agrees that he'd alert them of whatever does his guardian in here if it comes to it. "Which means more guardians and last I checked you all aren't exactly on friendly terms right now. So how much trouble are you trying to get yourself in?"

[deepestdesires]

That actually prompts a deep rumble of laughter, one that's filled with smugness and one that Lucifer doesn't bother to try and stifle.

Who ever said that I was going to kill you, little Guardian mine?

Honestly, he's not uncertain that he could; he has before. But there's something about being accused like that that's honestly amusing. Really, did all Guardians assume that his kind were so brutish? While certainly they had gained a reputation, that didn't mean that it was entirely true. If anything, he's far more content to play with his prey right now, because he's so unused to having anyone stand up to him like this.

It's hard to grin, but he manages it the best he can, revealing row upon row of sharpened fangs as he lowers his head to be on level with the Hunter before him.

We're getting ahead of ourselves now, aren't we?

[upforanything]

Matthieu doesn't budge. He merely keeps up the relaxed but aware stance while assessing what exactly the ahamkara was going to do. There was too much confidence coming from him which doesn't give the hunter much hope in getting out of this without a fight.

"Threat displays like that belong to those that have found themselves in a corner," he retorts as he studies the pattern along the intimidating snout and down the forearms. Curious. Nature would say that such a coloration wouldn't work her in such a lush green and yet...

"If you want to, get it done and over with. You're wasting both of our time with this little show."

[deepestdesires]

You think I'm threatened by you, little one?

Now that is so hilarious it almost edges on being insulting. To think that something so small could have such an ego! It's honestly amusing, and he bares his teeth in the facsimile of a grin as he eyes the man up and down.

You give yourself far too much credit on that behalf. And not enough to me. Do you think me brutish enough to just 'get it done and over with'?

Because this is interesting, and honestly it's the most fun he's had in a while. Whether or not his prey slash conversation partner feels the same way is entirely irrelevant.

[upforanything]

“I don’t think. I know. I’ve trespassed on your territory and you’re going to wind up killing me because we both know that scaring me off isn’t an option,” Matthieu calmly retorts. The ahamkara was wasting his time and honestly he’d rather things be done and over with rather than dragged out.

“I don’t have to give you anything. Only just met and you demand respect as if you’re the end all be all but you’re not. I’ve seen worse on the Moon.”

The hunter peels off to the left, starting back up on his trek towards his Fallen targets. He’s survived this long so he’ll keep doing what works best. Even if that’s giving a massive creature of desire and sharp bits a metaphorical finger.

[deepestdesires]

There's a loud, echoing noise as Lucifer snaps his maw in displeasure. He'd been having fun, this was amusing, and now the Guardian was going to go and ruin it all.

He couldn't have that, he had no desire to go back to the crushing boredom of the Venusian wilds, and so as thr man moves to leave he starts, quick as a flash, and intercepts him with a low warning noise.

Come now, you're being such a bore. No need for that.

[upforanything]

For a second, he half believes a new storm to be rolling in so soon. Rain skins could be dragged out but he soon realizes that it had only been from the large tag along. Traveler why did things have to be so complicated?

His glove reaches out to palm away the large maw before it can block him fully. "Look. What do you want? Can't you go bug someone else? I don't know like one of the other ahamkara or something. Aren't you all social creatures?"

[deepestdesires]

The fact that something so small would dare to touch him in such a way is vexing, and for a moment Lucifer almost does contemplate biting, if only to teach the man a lesson in humility. He does stay his maw, however, because he isn't willing to give up his fun just quite yet.

Instead he growls, low and deep, exhaling sharply through his nostrils and firmly planting himself in the man's way.

You, oh Guardian mine, are far more interesting.

[upforanything]

He eyes the large draconic creature, mulling over the fact that he didn't lose his hand. So there was a bit of maneuverability here which is far more intriguing. Matthieu rubs the back of his neck and rolls his shoulders while figuring out how to go about this.

"So what? You're lonely then? Is that it?" He shoves his hands into his pockets. "Because to be honest, don't blame that with the locale...or the attitude."

[deepestdesires]

Lonely? That's an absurd thing to even suggest and Lucifer feels as though he aught to be offended. He's certainly not lonely, at least as far as he would ever admit. It was merely that the local inhabitants, be they Vex or Fallen, happened to be very poor entertainment and this Guardian was the first truly intriguing individual he'd come across in qhite some time.

There's a snort of derision, all of his eyes narrowing juzt the tinest bit as he lets the not-so-veiled insult roll off of him.

There is a lack of intelligent conversation amongst the locals. It is simply refreshing to hear something other than gibbering for once.

[upforanything]

"So yea lonely. I mean I wouldn't want to be stuck with murderous reality bending robots or scavenging thieves that'd rather shank you than say hello," he shrugs while debating if this was really worth avoiding further. Maybe it'd be best to amuse this ahamkara for a bit.

Matthieu sighs softly before taking a seat couple feet from the creature. His chin resting on a hand while he leans forward. "How about we start over? Like what's your name?"

He genuinely was curious about what an ahamkara would refer themselves as. Especially a haughty one such as the one before him.

[deepestdesires]

Not lonely at all.

It's somehow possible for a gigantic, omnipowerful dragon to sound petulant, and Lucifer is doing a very good job of it. But the Guardian is sitting now, and he huffs, secretly pleased that the man hasn't left. He hadn't been lying when he'd said that he'd appreciated conversation with someone that could actually string together a coherent sentence.

So he rumbles for a moment, a few of his eyes slipping shut as he tries to find a way to twist the question back at the man, but in the end it's far easier to just barrel on ahead and hope that the Hunter let something exploitable slip down the line.

Lucifer. I am called Lucifer, the Morningstar.

[upforanything]

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” the hunter mutters, flicking off a bug that had crawled onto his knee.

He does raise a brow at having gotten an actual answer from the ahamkara which honestly he hadn’t expected. Sitting up, he chuckles softly. “Really? So you named yourself after your home here? I mean it works I guess.”

[deepestdesires]

That actually prompts some confusion, because he's not sure what the Guardian is even talking about. Named after-?

I am named because I am named, not after anything.

He's known his name since he was hatched, it's just an intrinsic thing, and the man is making little sense now.

[upforanything]

Oh. Well that doesn’t make as much sense anymore. Matthieu purses his lips for a moment as he mulls over the creature’s confusion. Surely this one had to have known some sort of knowledge in regards to the place he had laid claim to.

“Just sort of seems ironic then. Venus is known also as the Morningstar back on Earth. Well that and back in the Golden Age there used to be some sort of religious thing where Lucifer also meant that. So you’re basically Morningstar, the Morningstar who lives on the Morningstar in a way.”

The hunter hrms softly. “Quite a title at that point.”

[deepestdesires]

Humans have such strange names for things, and Lucifer isn't quite sure if the Hunter before him is making a joke or not. His name is his name, and it's a majestic and mighty one at that, and yet here is this small creature tell him that it's just-

He huffs, lowering his head until he's eye to eye with the Guardian.

You seem to think it amusing, do you not?

[upforanything]

“It’s interesting. Maybe a little funny.” Matthieu grins safely behind his visor. Not a single urge to laugh slips free since he’s probably offended the poor ahamkara enough. “But life gets boring if things aren’t amusing sometimes. Right? So enjoy the little things even if it’s learning another weird thing about us people.”

“Besides you’re using me as amusement,” he points out, “so this is what you get.”

[deepestdesires]

In my defense, you are very amusing.

At least he's being honest, and there's a rumble in the back of his throat as he regards the hunter with a careful look. Yawning, and showing off rows and rows of sharp teeth, he settles himself in and cocks his head ever so slightly as if he's trying to observe the man more intently.

But that also begs the question as to what you are called, oh Guardian mine

[upforanything]

"Thanks I guess," he mutters, still not quite sure how he be of any entertainment. Maybe this ahamkara wasn't used to house guests at all so to speak. Especially with how much he keeps flashing his fangs at him.

His gaze drops as he busies himself with tracing random patterns in the dirt. "Matthieu but Matt works too."

[deepestdesires]

Matthieu

The name rolls of his tongue, metaphorically of course, easily, and he takes a moment to think it over. It's a good name, if he ponders seriously over it, and something that suits the hunter before him.

You are bold, oh Mattheiu mine. Many would have fled by now, why have you not?