[se] tilted stage

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And a bargain must be made

Liam had never been to Halo, and so the full extent of the destruction escaped him. But even he could tell that things had gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Stormbreak was safe - for now - and though he was loathe to leave so soon after returning, he knew that he would be of more use elsewhere. He remembered what things had been like in the aftermath of the Ascended attack, and if things were like that elsewhere... well, maybe there was something he'd learned that could help. So here he was, in a region he'd never been to, offering his services to try to make the world a little bit better. And it seemed they'd need all the help they could get.

He'd been put to work on a search and rescue team, checking areas of destruction for any survivors and transporting them to receive aid. The hardest part was when they found the bodies. He'd never get over seeing dead civilians.

Just now, he stood apart from the ragtag group of helpers he'd joined, taking a sip of water from the flask he'd brought along with him. They'd been at work for a few hours, and it would do no one any good if they collapsed from dehydration. He rolled his neck, gazing around at the destruction, and paused at the sight of a familiar face. He lifted a tired hand to wave at the other man. "Noah."

But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

Liam

This wasn’t this first time Noah had to identify bodies and pair them to families waiting to hear about their loved ones. He had done it several times. From finding hunting parties on the tundra, to pairing soldiers that Morgan didn’t know had families to those that wanted their bodies, and now — identifying bodies that washed up from the waters of the bay or that were brought to their demise in some other fashion the morning that the meteor fell.

He was talking with a few people and helping them write down names and addresses for the fallen victims of whatever the hell this was when he heard his name. His eyebrows lifted and the hunter turned his head to see the vaguely familiar man. ”Liam,” Noah said, with some surprise, stepping towards the man and offering his hand in greeting, ”been a long time. Did Phoebe send you?”

don't wait for the wolves to tear you apart; there's always a cage around your heart

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And a bargain must be made

Liam accepted Noah's hand and shook it. "It's good to see you well," he rumbled. A slight frown, perhaps a bit regretful, appeared on his face, and he lowered his voice so as not to be overheard. "I haven't heard from Phoebe in months," he murmured. "I know she went to the meeting of demigods and leaders, but I haven't seen her since." It left the Greatwood in a power vacuum, one that he'd considered in great detail before returning to Stormbreak. In the end, though, he'd decided that he was no leader, and that his skills would be better put to use somewhere he could protect people.

But getting into the details of his life - where he'd moved and why - seemed unnecessary given the chaos of the world. "I came to help, if I can," he said. He'd had his own share of experience in the aftermath of a disaster, after all. Taking a wary look around, he noted, not for the first time, the level of destruction. And he'd heard that Torchline was worse. Shaking his head, he spoke again. "Where would you like me to start?"

But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

Liam

A frown tugged at the corners of Noah’s mouth when Liam admitted that Phoebe hadn’t been seen. Months had gone by since that meeting, and Noah was discouraged to hear the news. He hoped, above his fear, that Frey had chosen to take Phoebe and protect her, but the chill in the back of his mind and beginning to run down his spine was that she had been kidnapped by whatever this threat was. ”I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll reach out and see if anyone close to her knows anything.” Maybe she was with Remi and Ronin? He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t like it.

But when Liam said he was here to help, Noah’s frown grew with a few resolved. ”Alright. I have a few other men who were going to come help me outside the walls to fix some of the damage from the water coming up so high.” Noah said. He quarter-turned and looked behind him, waving over a group of men and a sled of supplies. Then, Noah led Liam and the others out to where they were going.

It didn’t take long outside the city for the damage to be clear. ”We can start here. Clear out this debris and them we can patch these holes.” Noah said, gesturing to the damage. Then he began.

don't wait for the wolves to tear you apart; there's always a cage around your heart

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And a bargain must be made

Liam didn't like it any more than Noah did, and a prick of guilt had his mouth twisting into a frown. He should have tried harder to find her, should have asked if she'd needed an escort to the meeting, should have done any number of things to make sure that she'd be protected and safe. Instead, he'd failed her - just like he'd failed to protect his family, all those years ago. The ex-Dragoon nodded tersely at Noah's offer to reach out to the people close to Phoebe. Maybe someone who knew her better would have a better chance of finding out where she'd gone and if she was okay.

But his offer of help seemed to refocus Noah, and the demigod offered instructions on what to do next. Ever the good soldier, Liam nodded and joined the group headed outside of the city. It was quickly clear that things outside of the Citadel were not well, and Liam fought to keep his face neutral as he took in the damage. Gods, but Stormbreak had been lucky. What would they have done had their city not floated above the clouds?

Liam got to work quickly enough, hauling debris out of the way and beginning to create a pile, out of the way, where the wreckage could be burned later, and ever-so-slowly, the area in which they worked began to look more normal.

But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

Liam

Noah, a quiet presence amid a group of determined men, approached the task of repairing the damaged city walls with a measured resolve. His glacier eyes reflected his commitment to the collective effort of bringing Halo back to the glory it held just days ago. It seemed that their rebuilding extended beyond bricks and mortar, at least when it came to the rest of the world. The fact that Phoebe was missing still gnawed at the hunter’s gut even as he worked as diligently as ever.

His interactions were marked by a blend of leadership and camaraderie. Noah didn't shout commands; instead, his actions spoke volumes. He seamlessly integrated himself into the rhythm of the group, whether lifting heavy stones or securing scaffolding. His motions were deliberate, a reflection of his understanding that each piece contributed to the whole. They worked for hours and Noah only then returned back to Liam’s side when the sun started to dip beyond the horizon.

”Thank you for your work on the walls. Do you want to come with me to check on a few things? I’ll get you some coffee.” With a nod and a shared glance, he communicated solidarity. He was sure that the ex-dragoon was not used to such temperatures, and he could only imagine the harsh tingling of his fingers from the work they were able to accomplish on the damaged walls.

don't wait for the wolves to tear you apart; there's always a cage around your heart

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And a bargain must be made

Liam worked tirelessly alongside Noah, staying mostly quiet except to ask the occasional question or make the occasional comment. His estimation of the Forsaken, already high from what little he knew, rose as he realized that the demigod was the sort to lead from the front. Liam had always felt that a leader should be willing to do anything he asked of his constituents himself, and so to see Noah laboring alongside them earned Liam's approval - not, of course, that Noah needed it.

As the sun started to dip below the horizon, Noah paused at Liam's side. The ex-Dragoon straightened, wiping sweat from his brow on the back of a hand. As Noah had guessed, he was unused to such temperatures - even if this was mild, comparatively speaking, to how things might be in, say, the midst of winter. So as much as he wanted to decline, all the better to allow Noah to go about his duties, Liam swallowed his pride and nodded. "I would appreciate that."

But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

Liam

Smiling and nodding, Noah then headed off in the direction they needed to go. He waved and said goodbye to the team they had been working with before ducking back in through the main gates of the Citadel. Thankfully, warmth and coffee wasn't that far off. There was a small section off the main wall where the guards changed shifts that Noah knew he could get coffee for them from. It was always hot and thanks to the abandoned abilities of a few of the shields, always ready.

Motioning for Liam, Noah stepped inside. He greeted a few of the shields warmly that he knew, and others he gave a nod as they worked to warm up and head back out. Stepping up to the makeshift bar in the corner, Noah poured Liam a cup and then himself. "Here." He said to the once-dragoon, and then headed back outside. Keeping his pace steady even now, Noah made his way down the path he created in his mind, checking off mental lists as he inspected every twist and turn. "I need to check to make sure the north end of the wall is still good. I'm confident that there wasn't any damage from water, but I am not sure if anything else might be trying to get in."

It wasn't unusual for creatures to gather at the walls when there was extra danger on the tundra. Walking and sipping, Noah stayed mostly quiet. His mind was racing with all of the things that needed to get done, needed to be checked, and what he needed to convey back to Evie and Deimos. Once they were where Noah wanted them to be, he started up some stairs that would lead them to the top of the wall.

don't wait for the wolves to tear you apart; there's always a cage around your heart

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And a bargain must be made

The small coffee bar inside the wall of the Citadel was warm and welcoming, and Noah greeted several of those inside by name as they entered. Liam, for his part, offered a friendly nod. Had he grown up in Halo rather than Stormbreak, he had no doubt that these would have been his people. He'd always wanted to be a soldier, ever since he was young, and it wouldn't have mattered where he was born or raised - he would have reached that goal, one way or another.

He accepted the coffee with a nod of thanks, the warmth of the liquid seeping through the cup to bring life back to his numb fingers. He was almost sad when Noah led the way back to the door and into the cold, but he didn't complain. He knew there was more work to be done, and that it would be completed out there rather than inside.

At Noah's explanation, however, Liam raised his brows. "What is the biggest threat?" he asked. It was difficult to imagine what might lay in wait outside the walls of the Citadel that could pose a threat to walls this big and thick, but Noah's concern didn't come from nowhere. Perhaps Liam should have done some additional research before hopping on the first available skyship.

But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

Liam

Noah leaned against the frost-covered wall, the bitter cold of Halo threatening to seep into his bones. His glacier eyes scanned the tundra, now half-ocean from the starfall incident. He sucked his teeth, then took a sip of his coffee.

As they stood open to the frigid air, the soldier's curiosity about the threats lurking beyond the Citadel's walls mirrored Noah's own concerns. Liam's question about the biggest threat prompted Noah to pause, the weight of unspoken dangers hanging in the frosty air. The demigod nodded slowly.

”I wouldn’t be surprised if animals tried to get in to the Citadel in search of food. It’s happened before. Ursur and dragon both.” Noah began, his gaze still scanning on the towering walls that shielded Halo. "There are creatures out there, adapted to survive in this harsh environment, but I’m not sure this—" he meant of the general danger ”—is something Frey has prepared them for.”

Noah walked the top of the wall and his keen eyes moved up and down. When he got to a spot he was particularly worried about, he would lean out and check. Everything seemed to be doing well, though. The soldiers and citizens had worked just as diligently as he had to get it repaired. Relief flooded him, and to celebrate that he walked and talked with Liam and got more coffee.

FIN

don't wait for the wolves to tear you apart; there's always a cage around your heart