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An early dusk had begun to crest the Tower. Frames spun up on their timers and began to work, cleaning off areas that had become the resting place for stray leaves and random clutter in the quiet hours of the night. To the West wing, in the hangar, the first sounds of whirring and sparks had started.
About half an hour later the earliest of birds had joined the frames; firing up consoles and flicking on lights at their stands and stations the Tower itself seemed to be assuming a light state of rise, not quite out of bed yet but upright and stretching. It wasn't until Guardians began to join the bustle that everything fully came to life.
From his perch above the Tower’s main area Crow had watched the courtyard all through the night. Sleep had found the Tower, it had even taken Glint in his own unique way, but not Crow. He’d had nights like this before, it never bothered him much even if it meant the day would have some slight upsets to it. Sleep or no sleep he’d found the life of Hunter Vanguard exhausting. It made it even more perplexing that he still had this feeling, insomnia. He didn't care to think of it as that exactly, it didn't happen nearly enough he thought.
“Good morning!” Glint was so chipper, Crow almost wished the little light would at least imitate a bit of grogginess.
“Morning.” Crow rose to his feet as he said it, stretching slightly; his body had become quite comfortable there, the Crow in his nest.
“So, today we have to meet with Ikora regarding the Guardian’s new job with the Emissary. Then there's a small issue Eido wanted your help with.”
“Maybe we start with food?” Glint took a moment, just long enough for Crow to smile to himself.
“Food, of course, though I’m not sure any of the usual stands will be open this early.” Crow rolled his eyes slightly, Glint was always like this in the mornings; so ready to get the day started, run down the itinerary, make the most of every drop of sunlight.
“You know, you should really consider being the Hunter Vanguard full time, you certainly have the spark for it.”
“Unless the rules changed in the last 7 hours, that is still firmly a Guardian position.”
“City council then? You could take the minutes.” Finally Glint showed himself, floating right in front of Crow and catching a full look at the snide look on his face. Glint looked closer though and noticed something else, a hint of exhaustion.
“Oh no” Crow’s face dropped ever so slightly.
“It's fine, Glint, I promise.” The Hunter’s pace picked up a bit as he turned a corner and started down a set of stairs.
“You know, I really think Eris could recommend something for this.”
“Glint.”
“Nothing extreme or hive-y, just some tea or maybe incense; I’m sure she has incense around and she wont mind now that she spends so much time in that mind palace.”
“I don't want any of Eris’ tea or incense,” Crow produced a small key from his sleeve in a quick flick, something he’d seen a Hunter in the crucible do a few times “Right now I just want the other half of my sandwich.” Crow cracked open the door to his apartment.
It was just as he’d left it when he went out a few hours ago, after he’d confined himself to an unofficial nightwatch. It was a humble space, something he and Osiris had found back when he wanted to fly under the radar, and when Osiris wasn't Osiris. Despite the revelation Crow still liked the place, it really felt like home and on the nights where he did sleep, it was the most restful in this place.
He’d decorated it sparingly by himself but there were a few things around, house warming gifts of a sort. In his spacious kitchenette he had a shelf of spices from Spider, given to him in a box with a note that had read ‘no hard feelings?’ in chicken scratch. Next to it was a bottle of the drink he and Amanda used to share, it had started to gather dust but he had now at least found it within himself to look at it now and again.
The living area was smaller but had a simple red couch and a brownish orange coffee table; a pair of gifts from the Guardian and Ghost who always wished they had something similar on the HELM.
Shaxx had sent him a large screen for the wall to watch Crucible matches on, something he managed to do for most of the people in the Tower though none were sure how he knew how he kept on figuring out where they lived.
Past the living area was a small hallway leading to a bathroom and opposite that, the bedroom with a large plush bed given to him by Hawthorne and a few pieces of art given to him by Ikora, though several of them still sat in corners instead of on the wall.
Crow, true to his word, made his way to the fridge and grabbed a carefully wrapped sandwich bearing the markings of Spider’s little bar. A Dreg in the Eliksni Quarter had taken up sandwich making, said he’d read about them from some old book back in the Tangled Shore and once he’d made it to the City he’d made it his mission to start making them for real. Crow had entertained the Dreg back in the Shore but once the Dreg had the means he’d found Crow and had him act as taste tester. The first few were bad but not nearly as bad as Crow had first hoped; he’d made sure to check the creation for literal sand and bits of Hive Wizard. The Dreg had gotten good in only a few months time and now; well now Crow was wolfing down the half he’d saved while wondering how he’d found self control last night not to eat the entire thing.
While Crow had his ‘breakfast’ Glint hovered over to the living area and willed the screen on, loading up documents and messages Crow had received during the night.
“Make sure to make yourself presentable after you eat” Glint hollered over the sounds of Crow finishing his food very verbally. He didn't respond but Glint heard the light footsteps to his side as Crow made his way to the bathroom. Satisfied he turned his attention back to the screens. What seemed most important right now was this business with the Emissary. Glint wasn't sure what would develop from it or if it would fall under Crow or Ikora, or maybe Zavala, but The Nine were marked as ‘high priority’ in Vanguard files so Glint’s eye was thoroughly focused on the reports. From what had come through so far, the Guardians had simply been rolling through a facsimile of the Spire on Mars; the Nine were offering rewards as usual but not much else was going on. There was a small note from some teams saying the Emissary seemed ‘off’ whatever that meant.
“Good?” Glint turned to see Crow doing a little twirl. He’d fixed his hair and adjusted his clothing, he looked fine but Glint couldn't let him know that.
“There's mustard on your cheek.” Crow immediately went to wipe it only to come away with nothing. He looked back to see Glint giving his own little snide look before laughing and taking a seat.
“Alright, now we can get started.”
With that, the duo went away planning out the day as outside the Tower had become as lively as usual. Soon Saint would announce the opening of the Trials, the most intense of fights always happened at the events end so Glint made note to try and catch a few games. Off in space, Guardians would be migrating back to the Emissary who continued to offer rewards and the promise of a new challenge on the horizon. Another day in Sol had begun, possibly thanks to the watchful eye of the Crow.