Crochet Class: Fifth Stitch

[i]Guardian, if I may…[/i] “You’re going to anyway, so might as well.” Alia grumbled, making her way through the Tower’s twisting corridors. [i]No need to be testy. I would just like to note that your stress levels have reduced by three percent. [/i][i]However, I would also point out that your heart rate once again spiked significantly several times during your interaction with the Commander.[/i] Alia groaned and turned to tap her forehead against the wall. “Why does he have to be so nice?” [i]You say that as though it were a bad trait.[/i] “And when he smiles his eyes light up…” [i]More so than usual? He is awoken, after all.[/i] “You’re not being helpful, Toby.” She tapped her forehead against the wall again. “What is wrong with me?” She pointed without looking at a Warlock who happened to be walking by. “Don’t you dare answer.” She warned. The Warlock held up her hands and continued on her way, no doubt thinking dark thoughts about crazy Hunters. [i]If I may say, besides elevated stress levels and a recently acquired tendency to cause self- injury, there is nothing appreciably wrong with you. Unless you count finding the Commander attractive as being[/i] wrong. “I don’t…” She groaned and pushed her hands through her hair before flipping the hood of her cloak up and settling it into its usual place. [i]You never even told your fireteam…your friends, about your favorite color. And yet…[/i] “Stop being right about stuff.” If a silent voice in her head could feel smug, Toby managed it. “I regret that Deviled costume I put you in for Festival.” She grumped. “I think the little horns and tail went to your processor.” [i]Bad enough that you have me in pink.[/i] Toby grumbled, his physical form bobbing into existence a few inches in front of her face. “Do I sound [i]pink[/i] to you?” “It‘s really more of a lightish red. And I think you look charming.” “Charming.” he huffed, spinning irritably before settling above her shoulder as she continued down the passageway. “…Is hardly practical. And I would never do anything not in your best interest, Guardian. I am merely expressing concern for your welfare and offering possible solutions.” “I’m not sure what solution it is you’re proposing.” Toby’s shell twirled thoughtfully. “As spending time with the Commander seems to have the effect of reducing your stress level, I am recommending that you spend more of your free time with the Commander.” Alia stopped in her tracks. Toby floated a few more paces before stopping and turning to regard her with his steady blue optic. “Uh.” She shifted uneasily, glancing around before adjusting her hood to shade her eyes more completely. “Are you suggesting…?” “That you continue your crochet lessons.” Toby bobbed before tilting himself at an inquisitive angle. “Why? What did you think I was suggesting?” “I, uh.” Alia swept forward, not glancing at her ghost as she passed. “Never mind. We’d better get going if we’re going to meet the guys for lunch.” She added in a hurried voice as she made her way soundlessly out of the narrow passage into the light and bustle of a tower mid-day. --- Watching EXO eat, Alia reflected, was an exercise in questions. How, what, why, and, most disturbing, where, all went through her mind as she picked at her meal, watching in morbid fascination as Herro and Knight polished their plates with obvious enjoyment. One would think that after the year the three of them had been together she would be used to it, but still those disturbing questions filled her mind even as Herro filled his glowing mechanical mouth with noodles. Between each bite Knight flipped a page of the book he was reading. It was written in some technical language that Alia gave up on after attempting to read it upside down for several minutes. She doubted she would be able to understand it even had it been right side up, but her natural curiosity demanded she at least make the attempt. No doubt he would make the attempt to explain if she asked, but that would most likely lead to an hour of her trying to look interested as he lectured, red eyes glowing with some sort of Warlock fervor. But there was always an impromptu quiz following such explanations and she had never once passed. Knight made a tsking sound and pushed his empty plate away in order to devote himself more fully to his studies. Herro glanced at Alia and narrowed his glowing blue eyes in amusement. Alia took a sip of her drink and shook her head ruefully. “So what did Cayde want to talk to you about?” She asked finally. “You know that creepy lady, showed up in the tower a few days ago?” She nodded. “Eris, I think.” “Yeah, that’s the one.” He leaned back and folded his arms over where, on a biological, his stomach would be. “She wants us to go to the moon.” “Just us?” “For now.” he agreed. “Remember those big knights we fought there a while back? Sword of Crota? Something to do with that.” Alia hummed thoughtfully. “Crota is a hive ‘god’,” Knight made air quotes with his metallic fingers, not once looking up from his book. “Mare Imbrium, before our time. Huge battle, it didn’t go well.” he flipped another page of his book. “He broke the moon.” “Well, yeah, it didn’t go well if he’s breaking our stuff.” Herro commented. “And killed thousands of Guardians.” Knight glanced up. Herro didn’t have a comment for that statement so the other EXO let it stand. “And Eris wants the three of us to go after him?” Alia asked, almost nonchalantly, before taking another sip of her drink. “Yup.” “Seems to be the case.” Knight shrugged. “Can’t be any worse than Atheon, right?” Herro chimed in helpfully. Alia shuddered at the memory of the ground disappearing from beneath her feet over and over again, the disorientation of being moved from place and time in the blink of an eye. She shook off the memory with an effort. [i]Your stress levels appear to be rising again.[/i] Alia rolled her eyes. “I’ll make sure to bring my crochet.” --- Sixth Stitch: https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/226371082/0/0 Master List: https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/226373948/0/0