[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/255163108/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] “I can’t believe you!” My Ghost yells in frustration, tracing an agitated triangle in the air, “I should’ve known the second you picked up that green rag!” I hold the slip of cloth to my chest in a closed fist, “And what’s wrong with this?” “Why him?!” “Why not?” I retort. “He’s a Fallen!” My Ghost exclaims. I let out an indignant huff, “He’s a friend! Remember all the times he helped us?” “But this? A gift for Crimson Days? Do you realize the implications? What will people think when they find out?” “It’s not like that!” I deny, my face going red. I can’t believe he would even suggest such a thing! How could anyone think that? It can’t be. Variks is one of my best friends, nothing more. There’s no way any Guardian -or human, for that matter- could ever have some kind of romance with a Fallen. That’s impossible! “Well to the rest of us it sure looks like that!” My counterpart snaps, moving closer to my face, “All you ever do is spend time with him. You’re always with him or in the Prison. It’s like an obsession.” “I’m not obsessed!” I hiss. His shell spins furiously, “This is too much. I can’t side with you on this.” “Then you can stay here!” I turn away sharply and storm off, leaving him behind. • • • My resolve falters when I see Variks. I stop a distance away. How will he react? He won’t think this is some kind of love confession, like my Ghost said, will he? He couldn’t possibly know about Crimson Days. Neither the Eliksni nor the Awoken celebrate it. What will he think of me? Will he think I’m obsessed with him, too? Will he like it? The end of Variks’s staff strikes the ground, cracking against the metal platform with a resounding ring that scares the living Light out of me. Four blue eyes stare straight at me. I was too close; he‘s seen me. “It’s okay,” I encourage myself under my breath, then walk over to Variks. “Shadow, come here,” Variks welcomes as I draw near, chittering laughter rising in his throat, “You were startled, yes? Would be very bad to be caught unawares in the Prison.” I chuckle weakly, rocking anxiously on my heels. “You are looking for Variks?” The Judgement scribe inquires amicably, “You have questions?” “Well, I…” I can feel blood rushing to my cheeks as I slowly present my creation to him, “I have a gift for you.” “A gift?” Variks echoes. He takes the cloth from me, and my heart jumps when his hand touches mine. Just nerves, definitely not any kind of romantic feelings. Variks examines the present. It’s the same color as the banners of his House, marked with the symbol of Judgement. I hold my breath, shifting uncomfortably. Stop being so nervous! My heart only thumps louder. “Where did you find this?” He asks, looking back to me. I suck in air, overjoyed that the silence has been broken, “I made it.” Variks shifts and taps his staff on the ground, “[i]You[/i] did?” I nod vigorously, “Yeah. I didn’t know how to sew so I asked a Wolf for help.” “A Wolf?” Variks repeats. He studies the gift again, “You have listened to my stories of the Eliksni. And the Wolf helped you write Judgement?” “No,” I shake my head, puffing up with pride, “I already-“ I freeze mid-sentence. I have the symbol of Judgment memorized. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the markings on Variks’s clothes. Would he think I was strange or creepy for watching him so closely? “I, um, remembered it,” I finish hurriedly. [i]Wow,[/i] I think to myself sarcastically, [i]nice save.[/i] Variks nods distractedly, “Why do you give me this gift?” “It’s for Crimson Days,” I answer, then immediately panic. I need to cover up any possibility that this is a romantic gift. “It’s a City holiday for good friends. Where friends get each other presents. It’s for friends.” I couldn’t possibly have repeated the word friends more than that. “Friends, yes,” Variks agrees, wearing out the word even further as he gestures to me with my gift in hand, “You are a friend to Variks and House Judgement.” My heart sinks a little -though I’m not sure why- and my mouth rambles on, “I just thought, you said you’re the last of your House and there’s not much left, so I thought maybe it would be nice to make you something new. For your House…” Variks straightens, looking down into my golden irises, “House Judgement thanks you, Shadow.” A soft blush burns at my face, and I’m suddenly more uncomfortable than before, “I, um, thank you Variks. Happy Crimson D-“ I can’t bring myself to finish and spin on my heel, rushing away with my head down. So embarrassing.