Nike-9 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
triplejumpstart) wrote2020-11-28 09:21 am
triplejumpstart) wrote2020-11-28 09:21 am
Ghost Fragment: Life & Death
Iron Banner is a bad time. This is only her third, but the fact is established. For some people to prove they're good at things, there need to be other people that prove they are bad at them.
Nike-9 knows that she is firmly in the latter category.
"So..." says the Exo, breaking the awkward comms silence between the members of her fireteam. They're in separate ships, but she can just feel everyone's attention shift over to her. Tired, frustrated, many-rezzed attention.
"I guess we, um. Learned some things that time?" she suggests. Nobody says anything. It's excruciating.
"About... like... Life?"
"And death?" the other Hunter suggests. He sounds exhausted, but not angry. Nike feels the tension in her shoulders let out by a couple degrees.
"And death!" she agrees. "...Mostly about death, if we're being real honest here."
She can hear their Titan's weary sigh.
"So. I am not sure exactly what kind of constructive criticism I'm gonna take away from this but I'm gonna uh... try... to be... more good?"
Silence. Iron Banner is just always a bad time. Why had she thought that this one might be any different?
"Um. Yeah. Good game everybody, good game, see you... later... I guess."
"We'll do better next time," says her Ghost as Nike awkwardly kills the connection, leaving them alone in the ignominy of that crushing defeat. "Promise."
Nike sinks backward in her seat. Her shoulders follow suit.
"You know I love you, Falchion, but that bridge is probably still just a bit too far for me, buddy."
"Promise."
Green optic lamps settle on the drone again. She takes in and lets out a long, steadying breath.
"Yeah. Okay. Next time."
This moment comes back to her for years, each time she hands over a hard-won coin stamped with the wolves and tree.
Nike-9 knows that she is firmly in the latter category.
"So..." says the Exo, breaking the awkward comms silence between the members of her fireteam. They're in separate ships, but she can just feel everyone's attention shift over to her. Tired, frustrated, many-rezzed attention.
"I guess we, um. Learned some things that time?" she suggests. Nobody says anything. It's excruciating.
"About... like... Life?"
"And death?" the other Hunter suggests. He sounds exhausted, but not angry. Nike feels the tension in her shoulders let out by a couple degrees.
"And death!" she agrees. "...Mostly about death, if we're being real honest here."
She can hear their Titan's weary sigh.
"So. I am not sure exactly what kind of constructive criticism I'm gonna take away from this but I'm gonna uh... try... to be... more good?"
Silence. Iron Banner is just always a bad time. Why had she thought that this one might be any different?
"Um. Yeah. Good game everybody, good game, see you... later... I guess."
"We'll do better next time," says her Ghost as Nike awkwardly kills the connection, leaving them alone in the ignominy of that crushing defeat. "Promise."
Nike sinks backward in her seat. Her shoulders follow suit.
"You know I love you, Falchion, but that bridge is probably still just a bit too far for me, buddy."
"Promise."
Green optic lamps settle on the drone again. She takes in and lets out a long, steadying breath.
"Yeah. Okay. Next time."
This moment comes back to her for years, each time she hands over a hard-won coin stamped with the wolves and tree.