#moon | caresofeternity

[lxghtbound]

@caresofeternity​ from here!

His antennae twitch upwards, posture stiffening ever so slightly, perhaps in thought. There are a few, long beats of silence, although Pebbles’ vocal lights do flicker a few times, continuing to do so until his antennae lower once again.

He hasn’t considered that. However there is a part in his mind that begs to differ, but despite seeming otherwise, he knows when to stop, at least when it comes to acknowledging Moon.

“...Perhaps,” Pebbles concedes, “But...thank you, anyway.” He dips his head ever so slightly. “I did not mean to take up so much of your time.”

[gaygxnslinger]

ROUND 1

CAUDE SIX SAYS TRANS RIGHTS !!!!!!!!!!!!! look at he ass! collective Caydes from me!! @ofeggies, @destinyanddumbassery, @caresofeternity & @thvndersnow!

And Looks to the Moon, the real babygirl from @caresofeternity! She has suffered more than Gale and that's saying something.

[lxghtbound]

write/draw something on my muse // accepting!

@caresofeternity asked: Moon gently takes Pebbles' arm, writing on the inside of it in her loopy cursive, "And I'm so sorry that I couldn't save you. I gladly would have taken your place." 

Pebbles stares at the writing with big, wide optics, before his gaze flicks up to Moon. He looks remorseful, and his Light betrays that as well -- he’s never felt the need to hide the true feelings in his Light around her, and that still applies even today, after so long, whether he realises or not. It still blazes with annoyance, with frustration, with anger, but not at her. All of it is at himself now.

“I never would have let you. Not now. Not ever.” He appreciates the sentiment, but she shouldn’t have to apologise. It takes a few seconds of stalling, lightly tapping his hand against his side and his foot against the ground to fidget, before he continues, “You shouldn’t apologise. None of this is your fault.”

His own emotionality and rashness is at fault, and it always has been. Regardless of whether he thought he was doing the right thing before, for himself at the very least, he knows everything that has happened is his fault. “You did the best you could. Seven Red Suns too, even if...” they had been the one to send Pebbles down the spiral he had gone through, to a partial degree, “you did so much for me. I may have thought the concept to be ridiculous originally, but...I am glad you are my sister.”

[lxghtbound]

@caresofeternity​ from here!

The pouka are interesting creatures, perhaps not too dissimilar to himself and Moon: not organic in body or mind, and yet the way they act is so reminiscent of a proper animal. Recent revelations of discovering his past and how that may link him to his old friends in ways they may not have imagined forces him to ponder this as the little beast floats around him, trilling as it does so.

But his focus is trained back onto Moon almost instantaneously, optics watching her hands as they attempt to muster a power to match his own, one that had been robbed so unfairly from her by him, and for what?

Pebbles’ antennae begin to dip, lowering more and more -- he still refuses to meet her gaze. Moon’s words spark something within him, make his throat tighten in a very human way as emotions that he has done his very best to avoid and shove deep, deep down begin to drip, drip, drip back into reality, until it’s too much. The floodgates open.

He closes the gap between them to wrap his arms around her, hiding his flickering optics against her robes. Pebbles’ sobs are quiet, but audible, especially as he speaks, “I missed you more than one can quantify. ..I’m...”

Despite everything, he still can’t bring himself to say it. Pride, fear of rejection, frustration, Pebbles doesn’t know what it is, but he knows it doesn’t help his case.

[lxghtbound]

closed starter for @caresofeternity

Everything is so much colder than he is accustomed to -- Void is not his forte, but he still knows how to utilise it, and the same goes for his newfound Darkness with Stasis. Pebbles shivers. He shoves those thoughts from his mind. Focus.

Not a single mistake can be made here. Everything must go to plan. He calls upon the Darkness, using the Void as a makeshift shield to shelter himself from its full brunt, the two elements working in tandem with each other, or perhaps resisting and fighting. Pebbles cannot tell in the chaos of his mind

He must know how to achieve what Osiris has done, for that is his purpose. If it isn't...

Pebbles shuts that out of his mind too. Ice begins to creep up and along his legs, seeping into the cracks in his plating, but it doesn't hurt, which is a great sign. His optics close. All he can feel is the frigid cold, and all he can see is Darkness, but eventually, there is a Light, and he grasps for it. He reaches out, so desperately. This is what he needs-- Pebbles hears a voice, but it leads him away from the Lightsource...it whispers, and he cannot understand it.

Perhaps he needs to get closer...

[lxghtbound]

my muse will say what they like about yours // accepting!

@mnyehlike asked: pebbles (moon/gale/rhulk)

His antennae dip, and he grips onto his datapad just a little tighter. “Looks to the Moon is so very kind, and as someone on quite the opposite end of the spectrum, I don’t understand it. I pity anyone who manages to badger her into holding a grudge, and I am thankful that I am not one of those unfortunate souls. ...However, I know I am not alone in thinking her kindness is a detriment, as it extends too far. Of course, it is her own choice, but,” Pebbles’ foot begins to tap against the ground, “there are some who do not deserve so many chances after what they have done.”

At the mention of Gale, Pebbles seems to perk up a little more. Either because he is excited to talk, or he is eager for a distraction; perhaps both. He keeps his voice level when he speaks, “If I must...Gale is very persuasive. How he manages to drag me away from my work after relentless pestering, I do not understand,” the way he fidgets betrays the fact he very much so does understand, “And he’s--...never mind. Let’s move on--”

Rhulk... Certainly an interesting person. There are many things Pebbles could say about him, but one stands out the most. “I respect a fellow archivist. All of the knowledge he has stored fascinates me: ancient civilisations I can never hope to meet, species long extinct, he has quite a notable amount about Sol, too, even if the majority is irrelevant to me.”

[lxghtbound]

caresofeternity​:

Moon stares at the captcha. She then looks up at Pebbles.

“…You know you can just click it, right? You just have to make sure to not be too quick. Look, here-”

She takes the data pad, then slowly does the captcha puzzle. She hands it back, and it’s unlocked.

“And here I thought you were godlike in comparison?”

Just click it slowly.

Unfortunately, given he is used to working at lightspeed in comparison, slowing down to solve a simple captcha annoys Pebbles greatly. Interrupting his train of thought when he is focused is not something he can so easily do--

And it’s done. He might have been about to thank her, but instead his antennae pin downwards at the comment. “I am. But what am I to do with distorted, illegible text and images? Even if I take the time to slow down, that does not make them any more readable.”

[lxghtbound]

incorrect quotes // accepting!

@caresofeternity asked: ✏️ + pebbles and moon :] 

Moon: Pebbles is not a morning person. Or a night person. There’s really only about seven minutes a day you are fun to be around. Pebbles: The best part is you never know when they’re coming.

---

Moon: You remind me of the ocean. Pebbles: Because I'm deep and mysterious? Moon: No, because you're full of salt and you scare people. 

---

Moon: My goal is not to be the best, but to inspire someone enough to one day surpass me. Pebbles: YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT EVERY TIME YOU BEAT ME AT CONNECT FOUR! 

---

Moon: Pardon the intrusion, but- Pebbles: On this moment or just my life in general?

[lxghtbound]

@caresofeternity from here!

Oh-- they’ve barely even notice that they’re shivering, Sig is far too engulfed in the fact that they are actually here with IBI; it astonishes them, really, how far everyone in their little group has come, both metaphorically and quite literally. The trek here was long and arduous, even if NSH cannot get tired, per se, it is still taxing.

The first thing that strikes them is how much larger IBI’s puppet is compared to them, perhaps an initial proof of concept of sorts? It towers over them, gives them a sense of grandiosity, just like their superstructure did when the group first caught sight of it.

If they could, they would be smiling. “Dunno what else to say. Can you blame me? It’s not often I get to hop over and have a visit, is it?” Sig pulls the coat around their shoulders -- they do have clothes that are much more fitting for adventure and journeying than their previous robes, but aside from their signature scarf which Sig could never abandon, the outfit is still certainly not adapted to the chilly climate. Around NSH’s can, the climate is much more temperate, even so high up in the sky the Ancients never bothered with anything extreme, rarely prepping for more than chilled breezes.

“Well, I am here for that, ‘cause we’re gonna get you out of here whether you like it or not. Moon already got Pebbles, which I think is a surefire sign we can win anyone over. But,” Sig moves closer to wrap their arms around IBI, “mainly here to do this.”

To think, a few cycles ago, they would have never believed they’d be able to give someone a hug, never mind IBI.

[gaygxnslinger]

ROUND 2

Cayde has made it through to the second round! Sorry Moon, but there can only be ONE real babygirl 'round here, and it's this Exo! You all know him, does he really need a better description than the coolest Hunter ever (fact checked and verified by reliable sources)? From me, @ofeggies, @thvndersnow, @destinyanddumbassery and @caresofeternity!

His competition this time around is Rocket from @caresofeternity, who had some rough competition already with the Drifter. He is still fuzzier than Cayde. You gotta give him some consideration on that merit!

[lxghtbound]

caresofeternity​:

“hm-?”

Moon laughs softly when she finally notices the slippery feline on her shoulder. She holds her arm out, letting it scurry along and hang.

“Ruffles, you have returned. What do you bring?”

Ruffles holds out a small engram. Moon takes it, turning it in her hand. “…Data discs of undisclosed contents. Encrypted in a hurry.”

She offers the triangular data piece to Pebbles.

“Would you like to decrypt them?”

Once again, his antennae perk up, and Pebbles approaches Moon near instantly when she offers out the data piece. He accepts it, rotating the engram in his hands a few times before fiddling further with it.

He murmurs half to himself as he works, “...the cipher is simple, may as well be plaintext,” he glances back up at her, “definitely encrypted in a hurry.”

Only a few moments later the Exo gives a positive hum.

“It’s poetry. From the Golden Age, or perhaps even before that. I have not read this before...” Pebbles beams, as much as he is capable of, anyway. “Perhaps the creature has more merit than I assumed. This is a great find.”

[lxghtbound]

caresofeternity​:

"It's alright."

Her internals hum in a rhythmic way. It resembled the chorus of one of Pebbles' favourite songs.

"I was not very busy, anyways. I enjoy speaking with you, and having a conversation with Sig to look forward to is as enjoyable."

There are suddenly big, purple-rimmed eyes looking over her shoulder. She didn't seem to notice it, as if it weighed nothing at all.

The soft noise of what he correlates as a beloved melody further pushes his rigid posture to ease as his shoulders dip just a little.

Moon always knows what to say, too, to bring Pebbles down from any emotions that prevent him from seeing the full picture. How she remains so level-headed, he will never understand.

"I--"

Pebbles stares right back at the wide eyes peering at him. Whatever emotional or perhaps insightful piece of information he is about to offer is lost, instead replaced with, "Does that beast ever blink?" Admittedly, the way it stares at him does unsettle him on occasion, but this time, his comment is more seeded in humour, regardless of how flat his tone is.

[lxghtbound]

caresofeternity​:

Moon tilts her head to the side just slightly as she notices his antennae droop. Her gaze holds nothing but a caring concern as she considers him. Suddenly- too soon- the butterfly goes out, and she fears she’s done something wrong, until-

A sorrow-filled “oh” escapes when she realises what he’s doing. She immediately reciprocates, holding him tightly. She rests her head on top of his, her hands bunching up in his robes. A shuddering movement, a soft whimper, her finials droop as she just sits there, holding him.

“…It���s alright.” She knows it isn’t. He knows it isn’t. The physical evidence is proof enough, moreso than the missing piece of the equation. “Please, just sit here with me for a moment.”

It feels nice to be held. Safe. Like when he was first resurrected, he had felt the same feeling when a certain group of Lightbearers had happened across him in a fight for his life against a particularly powerful Hive knight, and it was in that moment that Pebbles understood the term Guardian fully.

His shudders continue. Right now? He wishes nothing more than to feel the same companionship he did then, but everything is not alright. He knows it very well.

Perhaps he deserves what has happened to him -- he has taken away her immortality, so now he is cursed to walk the path of eternal resurrection and immense pain, and the only way out would be to unjustly end another life. Pebbles clutches onto Moon tightly, remaining silent for a long while, but eventually he utters, “It’s not. You know as well as I do there is nothing that I can do to make up for what happened. It is not something I can walk away from with no repercussions.”

He has learned that harsh lesson already.

“The others would never accept me if I were to return. That is evidence enough.”

[lxghtbound]

caresofeternity​:

It sighs softly as Sig pulls the coat closer around themself. Seems they were colder than it thought. The concept of places outside the environment which held its can, places that might be hot- troubling, to say the least. It was layered considerably, it had no decent warm weather clothes. It listened to Sig prattle on with waning interest, settling back down on the floor. Its legs hung with considerable weight in gravity, it didn’t-

IBI flinched back when NSH suddenly attacked them. It blinked down at them oddly, trying to figure out what they were doing. The rapidfire thought processes were visible, flashing on the walls, too fast to read. Having up to three times the neuron flies of a later iterator was good for quick reaction times. Careful consideration to make sure they didn’t burn out, along with constant upgrades, meant that it was perhaps the most godlike out of all of them. These calculations and data sweeps swiftly (in about 1.34643777~ seconds) resulted in the realisation that this was a ‘hug’.

After everything it’s done, all the-…it was under the impression that you hugged the people you loved. It didn’t think, after its actions, that it was still worthy of such a thing. It hesitated before wrapping its arms around them in return. It was still unsure of why they did it, and why they thought it deserved it, but…it wouldn’t say no.

“Wonder how Moon's gonna react to seeing you.” And Suns, but they choose not to bring them up. Sig knows IBI, most likely, will not react well to hearing about what happened with Suns and Pebbles, regardless of intentions, because it’s still something the group has to work through and IBI is bound to hear about it. No need to ruin the mood right now.

NSH holds it a little tighter, before taking a few steps back, gently gripping its sleeves for a few extra moments then finally moving away. Their optics are somehow bright, despite them being pitch black. Perhaps the lighting? “I still find it hard to believe I’m here with you! Best I ever got before was maintenance workers coming into my chamber to list off all the statistics a super calculator could ever want or need,” Sig chuckles, regardless of how depressing that sounds.

Of course, there were the endless questions from the Ancients as well, but the vast majority never visited them in person. Sig was half thankful for that, given some horror stories they had heard.

“We’re gonna get you out,” they say, voice cheery, but much more firm, “It...might hurt a lot to begin with, but once you’re severed, we’re gonna see the stars together. The real stars!”