Express Delivery

He'd made the decision to keep out of the Warden's way, but business was business. Whatever personal feelings he had were set aside when his professional services were engaged. After his night at the Greatwood Observatory Tal had sailed the Peregrine straight back to Halo, skirting far closer to the Draig than he normally did to shave the extra hours off the days-long trip. His brown cheeks were still ruddy from the wind and he was still clad in his flying leathers, having come directly from the port to the Palace, hoping to find the Warden at work either in the Council Hall or the Barracks.

"Message for Deimos," he called out crisply after giving the door lintel a rap with the back of his knuckles to announce himself.

He shifted from foot to foot, feeling the ache of the trip in the arches of his feet and up his calves but doing his best to keep his mind on the duty he'd undertaken and not on the hot bath that could be drawn up back at the Seawright residence.

death, you bring death and destruction to all that you touch

Talyson might’ve been fortunate that he wouldn’t have to meander towards the Barracks. Only the barest mode of opportunity found Deimos in the Council Hall, tending to a few more missives before intending to meet the warriors for more training along the extended tundra. Just as the pen dried on another note, the knock on the door resounded, and the familiar tones followed suit.

His eyes narrowed dangerously at the aperture, jawline immediately setting in its clenched portions, and features rendered into complete indifference. It wasn’t what he felt inwardly; that lined more to annoyance, irritation, and some manner of indignation. The Sword had a potent memory, after all.

Rising from his chair, he unfurled a long breath, before crossing the threshold and opening the door to reveal Talyson. His tones were a deep, unaffected rumble, stature straight and waiting for the rest of the message. “Yes?”

DEIMOS

Neither had forgotten, but both had been able to continue working together for the good of Halo when they were called to it. Tal kept that in mind, gaze fixing firmly on a point on Deimos's chin as the door opened to reveal the man he had been sent to see. He swallowed past a throat gone dry, eyes closing as he went still and composed his memory, taking himself back to that night in the Observatory and the Shrine there.

"Message from Safrin," he began, a trace of awe lingering in his voice at the recollection of her appearance that night. "For Deimos. 'Let 'im know it's been too long since he's come t'see me.' End message." He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, waiting on the Warden's response.

death, you bring death and destruction to all that you touch

His features remained wholly impassive, only the vaguest head tilt composed and comprised as Talyson recited the message. Inwardly, there was a long sigh, perhaps an intake of breath, at the notions of Safrin – another thing remiss in his ongoing work and constant, unending schedule. Last time he’d seen her had been a year after the war, in a dreamlike haze amidst other followers, wounds healed.

Placing a future visit to a shrine at the forefront of his reeling, mental checklist, his stoic gaze went back to the courier. “Thank you. Anything else?” Otherwise he had a modicum of things to finish, and then a stop at the Citadel’s altar before going home.

DEIMOS

The courier paused a moment, brow furrowing as he made sure he hadn't missed anything, then gave a shake of his head. "No, that's all." He was sure the Warden had work to do, and Tal was overdue for a bath and a hot meal after several long days and too-short nights aboard the Peregrine. Boreal had already gone ahead to the Seawright residence to collect her dues in fuss and scratches and outrageous treats from his sisters, and he was eager to get along and join her.

He shuffled his feet uncomfortably, unsure of how to end the conversation. Should he wait to be dismissed? Say something else? In the end he just bobbed his head awkwardly. "Well, uh... bye, then." He winced a little at the stiltedness of it as he turned away. But he'd done his job and so, duty discharged, he trotted back down the hall and headed for the exit.

~Fin~