2 weeks, 4 days
Hawthorne’s haven was a small farm. It had a dock, a few old buildings, and an ever-present view of the EDZ’s corrupted forest. Far looming in the distance rose a shard of the Traveler, like the waking echoes of a bad dream. Long and jagged, it felt much more volatile than the Traveler itself. Europa’s nature led her to question. But the simply-nicknamed Farm was not empty, and only more and more refugees filled in. A good thing, of course, but not for difficult questions.
She stood at the window, looking out into the dark night. Behind her, several Guardians, two of them hers, were asleep in piles against walls, corners, and each other. Most of them had barely passed a decade of Guardianhood. Not that the scale of time meant anything.
“Can’t sleep?” Hawthorne appeared by her side. She looked out the window as well, up at the pale moon.
“You’re very quiet.”
“I know that.” She chuckled. “But thank you.”
Nalim cast her eyes behind her. “I can sleep. Just don’t want to.”
“Is it because of -- Am I allowed to mention it?”
She laughed quietly. “Losing the Light?”
Hawthorne nodded sheepishly, shrugging.
“No, it’s not because of that. I’ve just gotten used to keeping watch. That’s all.”
They both looked up at the sky in comfortable silence, until a Guardian moved in their sleep. Both of them turned.
“Was it one of yours? Which ones ARE yours?”
Europa and Alexi slept unmoving in the corner. Nalim shook her head, but pointed at them both. Then her eyes found the shifting body in the dark. She knelt down, gently touching the Guardian’s shoulder. For a moment the risk of activating their Light passed her mind, but quickly faded. There would be no hazardous knives here. Even if she wanted them.
Nalim shook their arm quietly. “Guardian.”
Her eyes adjusted to the thick darkness, finding his cloak in her hand. A long dark braid extended beside him. Alton. He murmured something in his sleep.
“It’s just a dream. Shh.”
After a moment, he cracked one eye open, a brilliant blue glow almost taking her by surprise. “Ma’am?”
“Go back to sleep, Alton.”
He nodded hazily, and the glow was gone.
When she stood, Hawthorne had a thoughtful smile on her face.
“Guardian against nightmares, huh?”
Nalim chuckled bitterly. “Sure. That’s what we’ll call it. Suraya, go to sleep.”
Before she’d finished, Hawthorne made a face.
“I’m not ordering you. But it’d help if both sentries weren’t dead by morning, hmm?”
“When’re you sleeping then?’ She folded her arms over her poncho.
“Tomorrow night.”
“That’s too long.”
“Then you’d best sleep more to make up for it.”
In the moonlight, she could tell Hawthorne’s expression was frustrated, but undeniably she was tired. Too tired to argue with Nalim’s bullshit logic.
“Fine. See you and your crew in the morning.” She yawned. “Try not to die until then.”
“We’ll do our best.”
Hawthorne left out the door, and her silhouette disappeared into the dark.
Once she was out of earshot, Nalim covered her two charges with her cloak, and climbed out the window.
Asha materialized, staying close to her side. “Where’re we going?”
“Just down to the dock. I need to be alone.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
Nalim rolled her eyes. “You don’t count.”
“Good, I wouldn’t have left anyways.”
“Oh, I know.”
Asha laughed quietly.
Nalim sat down on the edge of the dock, curling her knees to her chest. The night was sharp, but the water underneath her was clear and beautiful. Her eyes idly followed the dark horizon of the landscape ahead.
“What is it?”
She sighed, burying her face in her hands.
Asha remained quiet for a second. She resolved to settle on Nalim’s knees, leaning her shell on her forehead.
“I can’t stop thinking about them. River and Cal. River told me to take everything one day at a time, but,” She glared at her legs when her throat tightened. “I can’t get the images out of my head. Cal falling. River’s incinerated apartment. Do you think…”
“It’s alright, Lim.”
“Do you think she knew it was coming? That I was right there and still too far away?” She crumpled up her body, drawing Asha closer. “Sorry.”
“Hey hey, it’s okay. Lim. She knows you tried.”
“But I didn’t.”
Asha’s eye narrowed. “I’m sorry you got your neck snapped by a door. I don’t think River would hold that against you.”
“But I-”
“Nalim. Did you know a missile was coming?”
She wiped her eyes. “No.”
“Could you have done anything to stop the missile even if you did?”
Nalim didn’t answer.
“The answer is no. Lim, we didn’t even know we were being invaded. You can’t blame River’s death on yourself. All you can do for her now is do what she would’ve wanted.”
“And what’s that?” Nalim’s tone dropped, borderline monotone. Sarcasm and cynicism fought for dominance.
Asha rolled her eyes. “Help people, stupid. Really.”
Nalim snorted at the insult. “You’re an ass.”
“And you’re predictable.”
“Oh, ouch.”
“You asked me what a doctor would want you to do. I don’t know what you wanted me to say.”
“Next time I take a minute to myself I’m leaving you with Euri.”
“I’m asking the Traveler for a new Guardian.”
“Should’ve just let Oryx take me out.”
“With a gun, right?”
“I hate you.”
Asha snickered. “I love you too. I’m setting a timer for 10 minutes for you to mope. Then we’re going inside. It’s chilly.”