This time the grin flashed a little more naturally as Tal grabbed the hand and gave it a firm shake; or at least, as firm as he could give. Which wasn't saying much. But... An Attempt Was Made.
Tal was used to having to look up, and he didn't seem to mind when it was one of the heroes of Halo. There was a moment of hesitation when Deimos began to gather the shards, but the chance to trade words with the former General was too great a lure to ignore, and he quickly stepped up to help with an armload of his own.
Too bad Deimos's answer was entirely expected - but still not what a young man wanted to hear. A look of resignation passed briefly over his face, but at the perspicacious question he almost stumbled in surprise. A few chunks fell out of his grip and he had to crouch to precariously shuffle them back into his arms without dropping the rest. It gave him a chance to duck his head against the old, familiar tightness in his chest as he nodded. "...Yeah. Right up until that fucker Neron pissed off Lady Winter a few years back. Dad was one of the ones sent to defend the gate that night..." He dropped his burden on the fire and tried to awkwardly shrug it off. "I dunno if he ever got to meet you, though. Morgan was still Captain, then."
Tal was used to having to look up, and he didn't seem to mind when it was one of the heroes of Halo. There was a moment of hesitation when Deimos began to gather the shards, but the chance to trade words with the former General was too great a lure to ignore, and he quickly stepped up to help with an armload of his own.
Too bad Deimos's answer was entirely expected - but still not what a young man wanted to hear. A look of resignation passed briefly over his face, but at the perspicacious question he almost stumbled in surprise. A few chunks fell out of his grip and he had to crouch to precariously shuffle them back into his arms without dropping the rest. It gave him a chance to duck his head against the old, familiar tightness in his chest as he nodded. "...Yeah. Right up until that fucker Neron pissed off Lady Winter a few years back. Dad was one of the ones sent to defend the gate that night..." He dropped his burden on the fire and tried to awkwardly shrug it off. "I dunno if he ever got to meet you, though. Morgan was still Captain, then."
