[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] “You know my answer is no.” Derik swallowed hard, resisting the urge to shy away from the menacing confidence of the Warlord seated in front of him. He looked to Avery, but she was as detached and inexpressive as always. Natalia smiled down at them, sanguine and full of pride. “Natalia,” Avery enunciated, addressing her rival with cold clarity, “You know what will happen if you don’t join us.” Natalia leaned forward expectantly, and Derik wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d kicked her feet like an eager child. “I would be impractical, right?” She recalled mischievously. “Yes,” Avery affirmed, “You would be our enemy.” “And what would you do?” Natalia pressed with a widening smile. “I would have to dispose of you before you could cause any damage,” Avery answered calmly. Her pitiless stare didn’t waver for a second, even when the sound of the guards shifting reached their ears. Derik scanned the room, seeing the gunmen slowly readying their weapons. He carefully slid closer to Avery in hopes of protection. A high laugh burst through the room, and Derik’s attention quickly returned to Natalia. The Warlord was holding a hand to her mouth, suppressing her sudden case of the giggles. “I’m sorry,” Natalia tittered, her voice muffled behind her palm, “That was just so overdramatic!” “Natalia,” Avery addressed patiently, ignoring the laughter, “Daedalus and I have Rotan’s sector. We’ve raised an army. I’ve come to ask you to join us.” “I’m sorry, Avery” Natalia apologized, “But you know I‘m not on the market anymore. I won’t be joining anybody.” “We’ll have to kill you if you don’t join us,” Avery warned half-heartedly. Natalia simpered daringly, “Please try.” “Wouldn’t you rather fight the Fallen with me?” Avery entreated, “We’ll fight all the Fallen you want.” “I would love to,” Natalia held up a finger like she’d just had an idea, “You know what? We’re gonna be fightin’ each other now. When I win, I’ll let you surrender and work for me, then we can fight the Fallen together.” “That won’t happen, Natalia,” Avery promised resolutely. The two Warlords held each other’s gazes for several quiet seconds. Derik waited tensely to see what they would do. Eventually Natalia lifted her hand to her mouth and coughed, interrupting the silence. She stood and brushed her hair out of her face, suddenly putting on an air of composure and politeness, “You need to go, don’t you? Look at me, wasting your time. I’m sure you’re very busy, and I would just talk all day. Come on, I’ll see you out.” She stepped down from her dais and took Avery by the hand to lead her to the door. The guards pulled it open so they could pass into the hall. Derik and some of the guards hurried after them. They once again passed the intimidating display of weapons, reaching to the ceiling above. Derik tried to stay in the center of the aisle, wanting to keep his distance from the deadly trophies. No one said a word during the short walk, and Natalia only released Avery’s hand to pull open the final set of doors. A frigid gust of wind blew in, stirring Avery’s cape and making Derik shiver. They stepped out of the miniature fortress and onto the hillside. The town of Fairmont stretched out below and around them. There Natalia stopped and gasped, pointing downhill to the waiting jumpship, “What is that?!” “My jumpship,” Avery answered flatly. Natalia dashed ahead to the vessel. The guards weren’t in any hurry to follow, and one of them handed Avery her weapons. She slipped the knife into her boot and refastened the belt while they walked after Natalia. When they caught up, she was marveling at the machine. “You shouldn’t go flaunting this around!” She cautioned, lost in wonder as her gloved hand slid over the humming metal, “Someone might try killing you for it!” There was a sudden loud hiss, and the ramp began to lower. Natalia moved away, tilting her head with the mechanism as she watched. The pilot shifted into sight inside the cabin and Natalia waved, “Hi Alan!” The pilot stiffened and awkwardly waved back. Avery stepped up to board the craft and Natalia embraced her one more time. “Bye, Avery,” she farewelled, “When will I see you again?” “When I come for you,” Avery replied. She briefly returned the hug before separating herself. Natalia rubbed at her eyes and backed away while Derik joined Avery. “He doesn’t talk much, does he?” Natalia inquired behind them as they boarded the ship. “He talks too much,” Avery sighed, earning a hurt look from Derik, “But he’s sometimes quiet when I ask him to be.” The pilot returned to the cockpit. After a moment, the ramp began to grind upward. “Bye, Derik!” Natalia called, “Nice meeting you!” “It was a pleasure, m’Lady,” Derik returned, trying his best to be polite. “SAY HI TO BRENON AND SEDRIK FOR ME!” Natalia hollered. The ramp obstructed their view, cutting them off from Natalia and Fairmont as it finally closed. “So, she’s always like that?” Derik asked, staring through the metal of the closed hatch. “Be specific, Magnate,” Avery scolded as she moved to her seat. Derik turned and went to his seat as well, then reiterated, “Is she always so…bubbly?” “Yes,” Avery affirmed, strapping herself in, “To the extent of my knowledge. It’s just her personality.” “Oh,” Derik muttered, clicking the buckle of his belt into place, “Well, that’s better than if she were mean like other Warlords.” “Maybe,” Avery said, “But she’s still too dangerous.” “She seems to like you,” Derik pondered, “Why won’t she help you?” Avery didn’t reply, quietly holding his gaze. Eventually, the jumpship lifted off and carried them away. “It’s like I told you” Avery finally answered over the sound of the engines, “Natalia would never join us. She’s stubborn, and there’s things she just won’t do.” “But why does she want to go to war with us?” Avery looked away, “I don’t know.” “So…” Derik mumbled, “Are you friends? With Natalia?” Avery didn’t answer. After a minute, Derik began to speak again, “Um…” “Derik,” Avery interrupted wearily, “No more talking, or I’ll throw you out of this ship and count the seconds until you hit the ground.” “Sorry,” Derik apologized.