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

[upforanything]

“They talk about you all being tricksters. That you selfishly seek out prey regardless of race in order to feed upon their wants and desires. That you can bend reality in order to fulfill so called wishes but it never works out for the wisher. How it’s only a meal so an ahamkara can grow stronger and larger with power from making the unreal real,” he answers cautiously.

“Ahamkara would rather deceive and will do so however they want. Even if it means taking on a different form through shapeshifting, becoming the image of close ally or something. Cunning but ruled by ruthless instinct that makes them all the more dangerous.”

Matthieu sighs, “The Awoken tell of tragedies where ahamkara have caused deaths. Other guardians seeking out fights and boasting about deaths of their own against your kind.”

“I didn’t think I would ever see one of you though. Even then I guess my image was different than most,” he continues, “but I don’t listen to warnings very well. Look where that landed me.”

[deepestdesires]

Interesting, it seems that their reputation proceeded them, at least in Guardian eyes. Lucifer shifts slightly, listening closely as the Hunter goes on and on, huffing in amusement when the man mentions the Awoken. He’d never had the pleasure of meeting any of that tribe, but there were always stories and myths that he’d caught word of. He thinks that he should like to meet one, one day, and see if it’s true that they’re as gullible as it’s been told.

Do you believe I am deceiving you now, Guardian?

If it’s possible, he sounds a bit smug, amused. He’s not, he knows that, but it sounds as though his kind had painted a very specific picture to the Guardians. Certainly he has no desire to fight, especially not to the death, so it’s good to hear that Mattheiu wasn’t in this for the supposed glory. In truth, he’s actually quite intrigued by the man, because he seems to be so different than the Guardians he’d previously encountered. He likes this one.

[upforanything]

That’s a rather difficult question. However he’s been honest this far and it’d be best to continue with that even if the ahamkara doesn’t enjoy the answer.

“No you haven’t. However,” he relents while rubbing the back of his neck. “You’ve sort of been a manipulative ass. Since you’ve basically forced me into a position where I have to talk to you. You snapped at me, corralled me and then pretty much threw a tantrum until you got what you wanted.”

“So you’re not a deceiver. You’ve been nothing but truthful. You’re just a massive asshole.”

[deepestdesires]

Well then, that's certainly a surprise. Lucifer isn't used to being back-talked and it actually throws him for a loop. Not in a bad way, however, he's far more interested in the fact that Mattheiu has been so bold. Shifting a bit, he regards the Hunter with a curious sort of look.

So I have.

It wouldn't do to deny it, and he hadn't thought of things like that. Interesting.

And yet you've stayed. I appreciate that, oh Guardian mine.

[upforanything]

Whelp that didn’t earn another flash of fangs or the points of claws into his armor which was...unsettlingly nice. He doesn’t know exactly what is going on but maybe he had been right after all. Maybe an ahamkara could deal with more than what his fellow guardians spouted on about. They were sentient after all and there were some things shared amongst many different life.

“At least you know that.” Honestly he would’ve personally noped out after being so called out. “You’re welcome, I guess.”

He pauses for a moment before finally thumbing the seals around his helmet. A sharp hiss before he tugs it off and rests it in his lap. “What exactly do you want though?”

[deepestdesires]

The question stops him in his tracks, and Lucifer can't help but blink almost owlishly as he tries to figure out if there's any further meaning behind it. It's...it's not something he's ever been asked before; generally humanoids were far more concerned about material gain and what they could get from wishes. This Guardian is a strange one indeed....

He watches curiously, also unsure about the fact that the Hunter was bearing his face to him. It was certainly a show of trust, or of overconfidence perhaps, and it provokes something strange in the back of his brain that trickles its way down his spine.

I do not want.

Which isn't quite true, but there's something ever so strange about this.

Or rather, what I want is to grant wishes.

[upforanything]

For awhile there's simply silence. To think that such a so called all powerful creature could be stumped by such a small question. The hostility of before has faded into mutual curiosity as he prods for answers on par with the ahamkara.

"Apologies but I don't have any to offer," he confides. "At least any that would sate an ahamkara's hunger."

He laughs quietly to himself at how ridiculous that sounds. Trying to be worthy enough to feed an ahamkara. Low bar set and missed. Matthieu glances back up at Lucifer. "If you don't have good neighbors in the Fallen and Vex, why do you stay on Venus?"

[deepestdesires]

Everyone has wishes He's never met a sentient individual that didn't. Even the Fallen, as barbaric as they were, wanted things. Generally their wishes were unfulfilling, but that wasn't the point. The point was that this Hunter is entirely an anomaly, and a very interesting one at that.

But that's another good question, one that has Lucifer thinking again. He's never thought of going off, not because he has any sort of loyalty to where he stays, but because this is simply his territory.

I have never known otherwise. He ends up admitting, I have never seen other worlds.

[upforanything]

"Yea well mine are easily solved with some glimmer and free time. ...That sounds weird. I take that back. Forget what I said," Matthieu fusses as he scrubs his face. What a way to sound like an idiot.

Quiet again and another point to the stumping an ahamkara scoreboard. Maybe he should've taken up a beat with this luck of his. Still he doesn't expect the answer he does get from Lucifer. It sends a rough pang through him because Venus is gorgeous but deadly and Lucifer has never seen anything different.

"Would you like to?" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Thinking over them, the regret Matthieu never came so he catches the ahamkara's gaze. "I could show you, if you want."

[deepestdesires]

He can't help but laugh, a huffed sort of thing that ruffles the undergrowth beneath them, but he doesn't take the bait that's been so gloriously laid out before him. He knows enough about Guardians to get the implication there, at least somewhat, and Mattheiu's embarrassment is actually quite charming. It helps to alleviate some of the awkwardness of his previous confession, at least until the Hunter speaks again.

That isn't something that he'd expected to hear, and it throws him for a loop. The laughter dies down, and he regards Mattheiu curiously, as if trying to figure out whether or not he's being serious. Whether or not, he's not sure, but it's a very interesting thing to bring up.

Would you? It's an honest question, and there's quite a bit of curiosity in his words. You should show me your world?

[upforanything]

Well at least he was being an entertaining sort. Matthieu rubs the back of his neck once more, trying to sort out his thoughts. Especially now that there was an ahamkara that was curious and maybe even hopeful if he dares say so. What has he gotten himself into?

"I would," he answers, nodding. The hunter was going to stick by his offer because...he's been there before, hoping that someone would give him a way to see beyond the Traveler and the Last City.

"I'd be honored to." Matthieu offers out his hand as though to shake on it and then realizes how ridiculous of a notion that was. Lucifer didn't exactly look as a agree and shake on it kind of ahamkara. "Everyone deserves a chance to see what's out there. Even you."

[deepestdesires]

It's an offer that he'd never even, in his wildest dreams, considered would ever be proposed, and Lucifer actually isn't entirely sure he knows how to respond. He's been caught with his proverbial pants down by this Hunter, and without knowing how to properly reply he's quiet for a few moments longer.

Mattheiu extends his hand and the ahamkara looks down at it, aware of the ritual but not entirely able to acquiesce due to their size differences. Instead, his tail flicks and he lowers his head, watching Mattheiu with keen interest. You are a brave sort, do you know that? Not many would dare to do such a thing with a member of my kind.

It's admirable, actually.

[upforanything]

"We guardians have this thing. 'Be Brave.' Used to think it was only for us going out, fighting the darkness, recovering lost artifacts and just...all that," Matthieu relents, lowering his hand. He looks away at all of the surrounding trees, blinking at the light mist coming down. "But it can be applied to more than that."

He glances back at the ahamkara, watching carefully. Gingerly he lifts his hand once more before gently brushing his fingers along the minor scars on the intimidating snout before him. His palm cupping just a fraction of the powerful jaw.

The hunter hrms softly. "I'm more than fine giving people chances. You included."

[deepestdesires]

That isn't something that he expects, and the small, gentle touch to his snout gives him pause for a few moments. It's certainly brave, far braver than any Guardian he's ever met, and he's not certain what to think of it beyond momentary confusion and abject respect.

The level of trust right now is unheard of; he could easily snap and take off the Hunter's arm with no more than a fraction of a thought. But he doesn't. He finds he doesn't want to.

You are a rare sort amongst your kind, Hunter. I will take you up on your offer.

[upforanything]

Matthieu's brain finally catches up to what he's doing. He retreats his hand away, glancing away out of embarrassment. "Sorry. I should have asked before doing that. You're not exactly...well. It was too brave of me to rightly do."

"But you will?" He didn't think the ahamkara would accept. The internal scolding of himself turns into mystified wonder. "That'd be great."

Though a problem did present itself now. "Though...I don't know if you can fit into my ship. Maybe I could get a small freighter..."

[deepestdesires]

It was very brave, he agrees, letting his gaze fall lazily down Mattheiu's form. You are a brave Guardian, it seems.

But the man, Mattheiu, does present a valid point; he's seen the size of the ships that Guardians fly, they're far too small without a little bit of effort on his behalf. It doesn't take more than a thought to bend reality about him, and in a moment's time he's cut his form down considerably. Small enough, in fact, that he's looking up at the Hunter with an almost critical eye.

Size is not an issue. But sitting there, small, on the forest floor most definitely is.

[upforanything]

He doesn't know what he expected but it certainly wasn't that. Staring down at the now much smaller ahamkara, Matthieu is dumbfounded that someone was so capable of that level of manipulation. It put the warlocks in the City to shame. He certainly feels as judged as when they scrutinize him though, that's for sure.

It also makes the ahamakara look infinitely more vulnerable now. There wasn't much stopping him from seeing that he wasn't enjoying being put at a disadvantage in such a wild place.

Matthieu extends his arm out while his other hand pulls his hood to the side. "I can see that. It's not much but I can at least get you out of the rain for now."

[deepestdesires]

The offer is immediately taken, and Lucifer scurries up the Hunter's arm without any pretence. Tiny claws dig into Mattheiu's armor, and a tail winds its way around his arm for stability as the ahamkara climbs. When Lucifer finally finds a comfortable position, burrowed into the man's hood and draped across his shoulders of course, he lets himself flop down with a contented huff. This is warm, he's a fan of the warmth, and it's actually quite comfortable. He could get used to being carried around like this.

You are ever so kind.

[upforanything]

"Figured it'd be good to give the option." He adjusts the hood with the extra bulk around his neck now. Lance flits in to help with it before disappearing back into his own space. "You seem like someone who prefers comfort. Though I could be wrong."

Standing up, he brushes himself off before looking around. The Fallen can wait for another day. Much to Lance's chargin, he transmats up to his ship with Lucifer en tow. A hand reach up to check that yes the ahamkara made it fine.

Heading over to the pilot seat, he starts checking over various places before finding a suitable place. He punches in the coordinates before comfortably sitting back and letting the ship do the work.

[deepestdesires]

Oh, Mattheiu is entirely correct: Lucifer is a creature of utmost comforts. There are few to be found in the Venusian wilds, but this? Wound around the Hunter's shoulders and drinking in his warmth? This is almost hedonistic, and he's entirely certain that he's never giving this up again.

A hand brushes against his neck, and he cranes his head over to flick his tongue out against one of the man's gloved fingers with an almost lazy yawn. They're moving now, it feels very different to be riding on someone and to be so very close to the ground. He's not sure if he likes that part of things.

But they make it to the ship, to Mattheiu's ship, and Lucifer's interest is piqued. He hasn't come across many vessels before, at least not working ones, and the hum of the engines is so foreign that it gives him pause. The air inside the cockpit is warm, though, and he dares to poke his head out from Mattheiu's hood with a soft huff of breath.

And this will take us somewhere different? It seems...unreliable.

[upforanything]

"It's one of the best ships glimmer can buy," he scoffs, flipping a couple switches above his head. Only a few minor adjustments were needed. "Sorry that some of us don't have wings. Besides it's transported worse things than you and still in one piece so..."

Lance flits around in the back, checking over things. That and keeping an eye on the small reptile that was backpacking with them now. He keeps the systems going in terms of making things comfortable before heading to the back and resting on a pillow.

"It'll take about an hour to get to Earth." The ship launches itself forward. However there's barely a tremble felt by the passengers inside. "I need to do a gear change for where we're going."

He unclips the cloak. At the same time, he makes a scooping motion and bundles up the ahamkara in it. The bundle is gently put onto the pilot seat. "So you can watch or something," Matthieu calls as he heads to the more personal space.

[deepestdesires]

It does seem rather unfortunate that humanity and all their adjacent comrades-in-arms haven't been gifted with the blessing of flight, but then again they seemed to be a clever sort that had figured out how to overcome their shortcomings anyways. The ships and technology were admirable, even if Lucifer highly prefers his own wings.

His wings won't take him off of Venus, however. Mattheiu's ship will. It's an acceptable take, he decides, even as he curls up tighter against the Hunter's neck. His comfort, however, is apparently secondary, because he's soon moved. There's a noise of discontent, far softer than he'd ever be comfortable admitting to, as he's bundled up, and eventually he manages to work his head out of the folds of fabric and shoot an almost indignant glare over to the retreating man.

I thought your type could just change their clothes whenever they wanted to, with a wave of a hand.

[upforanything]

He's not clueless enough not have heard the displeased rumble. That and the sarcasm that laces the words echoing amongst his thoughts. Though it's rather cute to see the small creature fuss about in his hood before freeing himself. Yup...definitely a glare. A sigh slips out as he works his chest plate off along with bulky pauldrons.

"There's nothing wrong with doing things the old fashion way. Besides it keeps me fresh on how to do it in case I can't clap on clap off all of it," he points out. "Same goes for my weapons and everything else. I need to know how to care of all this and use it in case the worst happens."

"Besides." He heads back over to the chair. His hand searching through the folds to pick up Lucifer and place him back around his shoulders. "I'm not the one fussing over being put down."

He walks back to his quarters with him en tow now. "Besides you don't have to worry about that kind of stuff. You have it easier. You can change what you look like with a thought."

[deepestdesires]

Clap on, clap off....?

Is this some sort of humanism that he's not aware of? Honestly, if anything Lucifer is more confused than he was before. He understands the concept of manually removing armor, but it would seem like it would be far more of a pain than to just rely on the Light to phase it away.

He's not sure he likes the way Mattheiu mentions 'the worst.'

It's a peculiar feeling, and then he's gone and confused himself even more. Why should he care? Ahamkara shouldn't worry about those beneath them, after all. At least...that was supposed to be how it went, wasn't it? But after spending some time with this Hunter, Lucifer isn't entirely sure that that's correct. He thinks that perhaps he would be cross if something were to happen to the man.

There's a chill in the air though, and he buries himself back in the cloak in order to hoard his remaining warmth. There's residual body heat from Mattheiu, and he luxuriates in it, even if it's not quite as good as being curledup against the man's neck. But then the world shifts, Mattheiu has a hand around him, and Lucifer can't help the squeak that escapes from his maw as he's lifted out of his comfortable nest.

Oh. Wait. He's back around Matthieu's shoulders. Alright, this is much better. He wriggles his way about, nuzzling into the man's neck and drinking in his heat.

Sometimes it can be hard to think of what things should be, though.

Certainly he's found himself in situations where he hasn't gotten things quite right before.

[upforanything]

"It's a figure of speech. Sort of. Means easy to do with little effort," Matthieu explains while checking over his options.

The squeak hadn't gone unnoticed but he assumes it was more opinionated than what some would call cute. The nuzzle though does garner a pause.

Very gently he lifts his hand to rub along the underside of the small ahamkara's jaw. The soft touches moving to smooth along the frills that adorned the cheeks and down his back. Whether or not Lucifer was vocal about it, he comes across as a very tactile creature. One that certainly would be keen for more.

"Oh? What else have you tried to turn into," he asks.