revivalproject | Ikora Rey

Entry tags:

Ikora Rey - June Catch All

WHO: Ikora Rey & You
WHERE: Various locations
WHAT: June Catchall
WHEN: Various Times
WARNINGS: None yet.

Closed to Tony Stark - Library & Guardians

The room was not in the best condition but Ikora could see that work had already been done to make it a useful place to strategize and share information. She had settled her thoughts after the strange other world and other life and felt ready to focus on the present problem at hand. The aliens that had brought them here and the storms that ruined the planet.

As she examined the room, she was unsurprised to hear a voice. She remembered it from the other world. Ikora stepped out of the room, Ophiuchus floating slightly ahead of her.

"Tony Stark," she said with a slight smirk. "Still interested in buying me a drink?"

---

Meditation - Jedi Temple

Not all Warlocks meditated. Many of them had minds too vast and too cluttered to manage it. Asher Mir had certainly never managed it and found it a waste of time. Ikora found it calming and good way to refocus her mind if her thoughts started to scatter between too many ideas at once.

She knelt in a shaded part of the Jedi temple where she knew it would be quiet and slightly away from the others who inhabited it. She knew her meditation would perhaps set off the senses of the Jedi. When Ikora retreated into her mind the Darkness was more present than usual.

In her meditation she walked the gardens of the Ishtar Archives and the streets of the Last City. She stood in the Tower listening to Shaxx call out challenges and congratulations to Guardians and Tess chat about her latest goods.

Even deep in her meditation she sensed another presence and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the newcomer with an eyebrow raised. "Hello."

---

Socializing? - The Deep End

Ikora did not typically like bars. They were loud and crowded and full of people. Ikora was more of a loner but she wanted to get to know these people. They would be working together. It would be good to know them, their skills, and their quirks.

Also, Cayde was here and she wanted to spend more time with her old friend. When this journey was over she would go back to a time where he was gone. It was a... lonely prospect.

She sat at the bar, turned slightly to face the room, with whatever drink Cayde had poured for her and Ophiuchus at her shoulder. Her ghost was always good company.

---

Wild Card - Whatever/Wherever.

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The Exo rolled his eyes. "Of course you propose we do actual work when we go out there," he said with an exaggerated sigh, spoiled by a lopsided grin as he darkens a few lines on the board.

"Although given our resource in the um, transmat network department, I think it's better we go and make sure there's something worth finding out there before we set anything up."

"Just think of all the interesting places you could put beacons and it won't feel like work," she said with an amused smile.

In her opinion a network was always worth setting up. There will be a future need to move around this planet eventually. They could save a lot of time if they set up a network now while they were exploring.

"We should set up what we can spare. And with Amanda here with her knowledge of our networks and machines, she could help make better use of our limited resources."

"But I'll know it was work," Cayde countered, tapping the point of his pencil in the air.

Setting it down so he could take up his drink instead, he rested his elbows on the counter. "Super limited. As in, we have One relay. Have our Ghosts sync in and we're slightly more mobile but otherwise, that's it." He shrugged, tipping back the bantha cup to finish off the rest of his previously forgotten drink. "Of course, between working on things in the city and rolling with the punches of surprise trips and whatnot, the transmat thing was mostly treated as a side project so no surprise there."

Ikora hummed in thought for a moment. One relay really wasn't enough. They needed many more for a good, reliable network and one that the others could use as well. Right now, a single beacon helped them but no one else.

"Then we should find some way to make reliable transportation so we can travel without the network," she suggested, studying her old friend to see what he thought of the idea.

She'd been asking around about what people think should happen next, trying to get a feel for everyone and their priorities. The public forum really wasn't the place for everyone to express themselves openly. It was much easier to get the truth one on one.

"Probably the best bet. At least that'd be something everyone can use, and maybe even carry passengers," Cayde mused. "We got one sparrow running before, so it's not like it's impossible. And with Holliday on board, I'm sure something'll be churned out in no time." He was looking forward to it himself, especially being enlisted to do some test-driving.

"My concern- yes, I do have them on occasion- is that if the ships can be grounded so long as no one's intended to go anywhere, what would stop that from being extended to vehicles?" He drummed his fingers on the countertop, pausing to snap them at a thought. "Oh, you were not here when we came back from the Agrii rescue. We all got marched back into our ships- not literally but it was like we were...called, somehow- anyway," he shuddered, but pushed on.

"Ships came back right in the middle of a Storm with a capital 'S'. Power cut out, all of us crash-landed in the woods. That was on a bad day. On normal days the ships won't even take off. My point being? If we're trying to find something out and someone decides they aren't having that? Potential for a lot of damage, and only you and me got Ghosts and we're not even sure how well that'd work for us if it comes down to any rezzing."

"We're not proposing ships that will take us off planet," she countered, though his concern was valid. "If they want to keep us here, we'll still be here. The only thing a sparrow allows us to do is travel farther on the planet."

The Agrii might object, it was true, but from what Ikora had seen so far they only wanted to limit them to this planet.

"We can't be afraid to explore simply because an alien race might object to that and attack us. We've never let it stop us at home. Yes, we might risk our lives with no certainty the Light will bring us back but that is what we do as Guardians." Ikora wouldn't stop exploring or asking questions or investigating because it might risk her life.

She was not afraid of her true death. She was more afraid to see him die again.

"Not my point," Cayde said, shaking his head. "It's those who aren't Guardians I'm worried about. You, me- we stick our necks out because we're used to it, used to coming back like nothin'. These people? They will still insist on risking their lives, and there's no coming back for them if that holds true."

Tony had broken an arm in saving him from a bad landing. Tommy had grabbed him off the speeder-sparrow when Cayde had lost control, and would've willingly been the skid-plate once they'd gone tumbling off if the Exo hadn't rolled them so that he'd take the brunt of the momentum instead.

Being here gave him more of a chance to connect with those without the Light. Those who wouldn't always be around, if this were back home. Those lives were fragile, and he had to be reminded the hard way that it didn't mean they weren't willing to put themselves in danger even for someone who could shake off death like gathered dust. Even if it weren't guaranteed they could still do that here, it made him want to protect those people even more.

"We can't keep them in the city for their own protection," she said gently. There were plenty of people like that back home, after all. "Devrim, Suraya, and others are human and they risk their lives just the same as any Guardian. We can watch over them but we don't have whole legions of Guardians to send out. We have to rely on them just like we did in the Red War."

And they lost so many then she understood his hesitance to risk the small population here but... that population wouldn't be so understanding.

"I haven't met everyone but those that I have met are fierce and dedicated. They won't listen if you tell them to stay while we go risk our lives. They care, Cayde." And that caring would have them step into danger without hesitation even if yes, from a purely logical standpoint it was better if the two of them went.

"Oh, I know that. I just..." He tossed his hands. There wasn't really anything to explain. Ikora had nailed it down rather neatly. "I'm not telling anyone to sit down and stay home either, because I know how that is." The Exo laughed dryly, retrieving his pencil to twirl across his fingers.

"Look, I'm just saying that I hope nothing we build backfires on us, or someone out there doesn't just pull the plug on the engines or something and send people flying."

He knew it was a risk going out into uncharted territory, enemy territory, rough terrain. No one should have to worry about equipment failure for no good reason and yet that was a floating possibility here.

It was a risk of this place. They had to take it or else they would sit in this town and do nothing. They could not let fear and worry keep them from figuring out the secrets of this place. Those secrets could lead them home.

"They could but they also have a protective streak," Ikora pointed out. "When we were in that other world they reached out and help free the others. It could be they'll protect us instead of working against us."

And maybe that was it all along. Maybe the Agrii simply thought they would get hurt and that was why they were grounded. It was a benevolent theory that Ikora didn't fully believe herself.

"We can go on foot if you're really worried." Some people in their world trekked miles on foot to reach the Last City and the Farm during the Red War. They could do the same.

Cayde smile was crooked but mirthless. "It's not the Agrii that's the problem. And while I don't doubt they'd try and intervene to help us out like they have, I don't know how helpful they'd be considering they're also being tugged around by the Atroma."

That was what he really hated. They had someone behind it all, a name to them, and yet no actual revelation of someone to focus on taking out. He was always direct with his problem solving, at least when said problems could be shot.

Waving a hand, he reached over for the bottle on the counter so he could refill his cup, holding it out to Ikora in silent inquiry of whether she also wanted more. "Seems we'll be stuck on going on foot either way depending on how soon we decide to try having a look out there."

"I would like to find more on these Atroma." Ikora saw a puppet master in them as well. Like the Cabal enslaving Scions. They were well hidden though. No one here could tell her that much and she had asked.

She held out her cup for him to refill.

"Whenever you're ready for an adventure like the old days," she said with a shrug. "We can pick a third and go explore. I know I haven't found all this city's mysteries but they'll be here when we return."

The water had to hide a lot of secrets. Ikora was certain of that.

"All my knowledge on 'em is secondhand. They were also believed to be dead or at least taken care of, but obviously that's not the case here, and when time doesn't seem like much of a concern, maybe that shouldn't be too surprising." Frustrating, certainly. "The ships we have? They were used before for this Fleet that some of the people here used to be part of, back when they were swiped by the Atroma, but none of the upgrades are on 'em. I hear the Starduck used to be two ships or something."

Cayde finished the bottle off by refilling Ikora's cup, setting it down so he could pick up his own drink again. He grinned crookedly. "Oh, you know I'm always ready for an adventure," he said as he raised his cup.

Ikora really needed to get people to sit down and talk to her. They all seemed reluctant to share the details she wanted. Or maybe they weren't used to how much a Warlock wanted to know. Either way, there was still so much she didn't know and she didn't like it.

She tapped her glass against his gently. "Who would you like as the third of our fireteam?"

Who could be their Zavala?

It seemed to Cayde that the more they found out, the less they actually knew, and the answers they really wanted weren't available. It was frustrating playing the long game, and all he could hope for was some slip up on the Atroma's part.

If they were looking for a stand-in Zavala, Cayde wouldn't have any good suggestions. He wasn't really looking for a Zavala replacement either, not that the guy could be so easily replaced. However those he'd figured made good Titans were few, but solid so far as he felt when it came to reliability.

"Tony, Echo and Shiro are my Titan refs," he said after having a drink from his cup. "They've all got field experience and can be trusted to get something done."

"I've spoken with Tony a lot. I have yet to meet the others." Ikora would take any of them, honestly. If Cayde trusted them that was enough for her. He was a good judge of character and more careful that people gave him credit for.

"We can ask them if they're available to take a day or two outside the city. I would like to start mapping that area was well. Perhaps even a better map of the city here." Ikora found the map provided a bit lacking for details. She knew Tony felt the same.

"Oh yeah?" Cayde grinned, biting back a snicker. "He ask if you were flesh all the way down?"

At least if they brought Tony along he wouldn't be able to complain about the Hunter wandering off on his own, despite that being a big part of a Hunter's M.O. "Sounds good. I know I'm not the only one that's been scoping out the city so maybe others have been working on things. But I can't really blame anyone for lack of trying when we keep getting all these distractions thrown at us."

"No, I think he believes me to be Ophiuchus' pet." Ikora looked over at her Ghost who bobbed a shrug. "He does believe I'm human though."

Tony would be a fine third in the field. He was competent even if he was a bit eccentric. He reminded her a bit of Asher Mir with his knowledge and tangents.

"Would you be willing to draw a map for everyone? More detailed than what we have? That was another one of Tony's ideas." There was merit in it. Ikora felt it should be done, especially as they explored further and further out.

Well that did it. There was no holding back snickers for that. "Ophy's pet!!" he gasped, pretending to wipe away a tear. "So he did ask about the whole Guardian thing? Honestly I thought I'd explained things but guess it's harder to take into perspective when there's only one reference point." Then again it was easy to lose track of who all he'd actually talked to in detail about certain things.

"A map? Ooh. -wait, you sure? I don't want you staring over my shoulder judging my linework," he teased.

"While I'm sure you explained it, he wanted more detail than you would offer," Ikora explained with an amused smile. She thought Cayde would like that bit. "You're not exactly a scholar of the Light and its effects on the universe."

Cayde could explain it perfectly well, she knew. He wasn't stupid no matter what people thought of his light hearted nature and his trickster personality. But he wasn't a Warlock like her.

"Your maps are better than your dart board. I've seen them." And kept them after his death.

"And that is exactly why I told him to ask you," Cayde replied.

He wasn't going to deny that he was much better at maps. A lot more care was put into those, because if you didn't have them accurate, how did you ever expect to find anything? Not that he really made maps for most of his caches, just some sometimes infuriatingly vague notes.

"I've actually got a rough one I've been picking at for this area, not that it's got much on it 'cept the city and the coast here."

"He asked me about dating," Ikora said with a little chuckle. "Apparently, all it takes to impress him is a vast knowledge of physics and metaphysics. I'm fairly certain if I explained String Theory he might propose."

It amused her that Tony seemed so intent on flirting even though it had no effect on her. She couldn't tell yet if it was serious or not. He seemed to continue with it anyway.

"Do you need anything to make that rough map a better one?" If she could help him with it, she would. She had a good eye for detail.

That wasn't surprising, and Cayde could only smile knowingly. "He is a man of many interests and quirks." String Theory? He knew if he asked if that was about tying knots he'd just get that Look. "If you were an Exo he'd throw himself at your feet."

If Ikora hadn't worked it out, she probably would with prolonged interaction with Tony. Flirting was just like breathing for the man.

"Gonna need some better material. Bigger than the sheets I've gotten. Something sturdy would be good. Ah, what was it...vellum? Or something like it, anyway. I could probably consult the replicator for that." He side-eyed his Warlock friend. "...and maybe a decent-sized straight-edge."

"I politely turned him down." Ikora had no interest in anything more than debating the nature of the universe with Tony Stark. He could find romantic companionship elsewhere.

But even though she had she still expected the occasional marriage proposal or other ridiculous offer.

"Mmm, a large ruler would be good. I have no need for the replicator at the moment. I could spare a few requests for a friend." She sipped her drink as she ignored his side-eye. If it got them a good map it was worth it. "I could clear space in the library for you to work on it. And Ophiuchus has scanned a few places around here that he could project for you."

"Ooh, yeah- that'd help. I will otherwise get all sorts of distracted trying to do it here," Cayde said, nodding. Not that the library didn't have its own forms of distractions in the shape of mothcats, but he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

"We'll schedule a playdate with Ophy then."

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