Canon is Destiny

[rekindledtitan]

It’s pretty easy to see your problem, kid. You overthink things. As far as I can see, you overthink everything. Even you know that. That’s why you need me, right?

…Come to think of it, that’s probably why you keep implying things about why I act the way I do. Do me a favour, would you? Don’t get wrapped up in that pile of scrap.

Point is, if you see a clear shot, just take it. You’ll make it a hell of a lot easier for me to do my job.

Comments

[opentheway]

Overthinking things is better than jumping the gun. Mine's already lined me up for a game.

...Good to see another exo around this place. Wasn't sure how long it was going to take for more of us to start cropping up.

[rekindledtitan]

Nothing bad about that, is there? At least you're headed somewhere useful.

And likewise. It was getting kind of strange with just humans and aliens hanging around. I haven't even run into another Guardian up to now. This makes a nice change.

[opentheway]

Not sure if "useful" is the right word for what sounds like it's going to amount to me being thrown into a torture box, but. I'll do my best.

It is nice to meet a fellow Guardian, to be sure. What Titan Order do you adhere to, if any?

[rekindledtitan]

...I already know their idea of fun is pretty special, but torture boxes are a new one.

No, no Order yet. Kinda liked what I heard about the Firebreak orders, but... I should probably do some thinking about it. When there isn't so much work to do. [ See also: when the ocean isn't so wet and the Hive aren't so un-neighborly. She shrugs it off. ] How about you? Got your mark and your philosophy all worked out?

[opentheway]

Somewhat. I want to understand what I... am, and where I came from. I bear the mark of the Deep Stone Crypt to acknowledge the internal conflict all exos must carry. As for Orders, the heroism of the Chain has always struck something within me. To come out of the Battle of the Six Fronts unbroken... it must have been no small feat.

[rekindledtitan]

Something worth living up to when your chance comes, that's for certain. [ She's quiet a moment, but the question burns for asking- ]

You're sure you want to understand so much? About your origin, I mean?

[opentheway]

... Yes. Our very design is a contradiction; there must be more to it than what little we remember. You have the same dreams, of the tower and the army. Even if knowing won't change anything... maybe understanding could bring some measure of closure.

[rekindledtitan]

I'm not so sure about that. I used to wonder, but- suppose it did change things?

[opentheway]

Our lot will always be war--not that there is anything wrong with that, particularly in such a dark time. Regardless, how do you suppose knowledge of our origins would change that?

[rekindledtitan]

Being a weapon I don’t mind. But up until the Collapse, ‘war’ meant one group of humans against some other group. Whatever happened then, it’s my duty now to protect the City - all of it. I don’t want to know any answer that could interfere with that.

[opentheway]

A noble goal--but humans are always in conflict with one another. The various Factions are evidence of that. And the same goes for the Awoken; the denizens of the Reef and the city constantly butt heads. Even us exos are not exempt. Our duty to the City remains.

[rekindledtitan]

That's it, though. The Factions didn't have a part in our programming. The politics can be a nuisance, sure, but... they don't change who we are. I can't be sure the same goes for what's in our past.

...Not that it makes much difference, I suppose. No point worrying about answers we don't have.

[opentheway]

Past is past; our memory wipe saw to that. I'm not sure if any of it can change who we are now, but... if I ever do find out, I promise to not tell you, how's that? [There's a sort of wry amusement to his tone. Despite being stoic a good bit of the time, this exo is not above some joking here and there.]

[rekindledtitan]

That'll work just fine. [ She brightens up somewhat in response, her voice easing into a chuckle. All this introspective talk's much too uncomfortable ground. ]

And hey- if you do? I hope it gives you what you're looking for.

[opentheway]

Ha. Very kind of you. So! Enough of this introspection; us Titans are Guardians of action. Tell me of your exploits--I can always get behind a good tale of battle.

[rekindledtitan]

I’ll spare you the small stuff, then! But I did get to go a few rounds with a Fallen baron out in Old Russia a few months back. Him and about… one and a half walker tanks. The most fun I’ve had in a while was up on the Moon, though. I got a little lucky and ran across a Hive witch down in the caverns.

[opentheway]

You call that luck? [His tone is still pleasantly joking, but he does shudder a little bit.] Those witches are dark, vile creatures. Quite nasty in a fight. Good on you for putting one down. Same goes for the Baron--they're no slouches in a fight.

If I was to pick on tale to recant, it would be the time I delved into the Vault of Glass and finally managed to slay a Gorgon. It took the combined might of me and five other Guardians, but the machination finally fell... a standalone victory, to be sure, as shortly after the rest of them rewrote the equations of reality to make themselves immune to our attacks. Still felt good.

[rekindledtitan]

Why not luck? It went down first. [ Her tone suggests a grin. ] Thanks. Pinning them down was the hard part, and things got… messy both times. Part of the fun.

A Gorgon, though… that’s impressive! [ Her eyes flare brighter just thinking about it. ] It must have taken some fire to crack that one! And speed- seems like those Vex are a special order of slippery. [ Fallen duck and run; wizards bob about like evil screaming balloons, but rewriting the rules is just. Cheating. ] How was it to fight?

[opentheway]

That isn't luck--[he laughs a little]--that's skill and a proper bit of measured aggression. [Anyways, the exo scratches his head a little then folds his arms.] While we were fighting it, it was one of the most exhilarating things I'd ever experienced, but in retrospect... maybe not as exciting as it sounds. It was so busy trying to erase us from existence that it didn't fight back like a usual Harpy; gave us enough time to put it down.

[rekindledtitan]

Don't tell me you're disappointed! Maybe next time they'll have some new tricks ready - give you a real challenge.

[opentheway]

Definitely not disappointed--and rushing to kill something before it can erase me from the very planes of existence is plenty of a challenge. I just meant that it might not have been the most exciting tale of battle... or perhaps the most exciting thing to watch, ha.

[rekindledtitan]

[ teasing ] That's what happens when yo have things go to plan. Good thing ours isn't the kind of work you stand around to watch.

[opentheway]

True that! [He can't even imagine bringing a non-combatant into the Vault to spectate. That would be the worst idea in the history of... pretty much ever, he thinks.] Ah, I just realized I never introduced myself. My apologies... my exo designation is Argosy-00, though I prefer to simply go by "Argos".

[rekindledtitan]

Ah, right. [ A little sheepish at forgetting that herself, she gives an easy salute. ] Blaze-37. It's a pleasure to meet you, Argos.