Chapter 2: Chapter II - Introductions
The Exo mechanic stood before Echo, an expression of mild fascination across her face that Echo found slightly disconcerting. As Zavala finished introducing her, she spoke up.
"Hi! My name's Elizabeth. I'm a mechanic, but you already knew that, right?" As she spoke, she nervously tucked some hair behind her ear.
Echo held out a hand, and Elizabeth shook it eagerly. As Zavala wandered away, Echo muttered, "it's not nice to stare at people, Elizabeth. Especially when they're eating."
Elizabeth laughed nervously. "Sorry, it's a force of habit. I've never seen a live exo before, not outside the test bodies I worked on in my father's workshop."
Echo patted her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it. How's about you and I take a walk? I can show you around the workshop you'll be spending your time in"
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, and the two walked out of the banquet hall. As they did, Zavala watched them go. Cayde wandered up behind him, quipping, "Did you tell them about the satellites?"
Zavala's smile dropped. "No. I didn't want to worry them. Echo's been through enough. I want to wait until we see more concerning activity on our radar. Until then, Cayde..."
Zavala paused. "Just keep everyone happy."
Cayde quipped, "hey, you're the boss" and ventured back into the festivities.
***
Echo and Elizabeth walked along a bridge, the lively music fading away as they ventured further. Eventually, they came to a large alcove, already filled with spare equipment that would aid Elizabeth in her mechanical endeavors. As they entered the workshop, Echo piped up. "This is your workshop. We managed to scrape some equipment together for you, but you may need more, and we can grab it for you if you need it-" he began, but Elizabeth cut him off.
"It's perfect. Thank you." she interrupted. Echo looked at her, and looked back at the dimly-lit workshop.
"You sure? We can always give you a bigger space." he began, but was cut off. Elizabeth suddenly rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.
"It's all I could ever ask for. Thank you so much." she happily gushed, her face buried into Echo's shirt. After a short while, she separated herself from the Exo, her face turning a deep red.
"I'm sorry... I just got excited, is all." she muttered. Echo chuckled, and the two began to walk back, when suddenly, Elizabeth stopped.
"Wait, Echo?" she asked. Echo turned back to her.
"Yeah?" he mumbled. Elizabeth paused for a few seconds, seeming to forget what she was about to say.
"...can you walk me to my quarters? This tower is a huge maze, and I get lost really easily." she managed to finish her thought.
"Of course. Crew quarters are this way, follow me." Echo responded, and the two made their way back to the Tower's crew quarters.
***
At the door to her quarters, Echo inquired before he left. "So, you know what's on tap for tomorrow, right? This mechanic business is tough work, and Exos are a pain in the ass to work with. It's tough work, but hey, it pays well, so I'm sure you'll do great. I'll come and check on you at the top of every hour just to make sure you're doing okay, but you can radio me anytime you need something, okay?"
Elizabeth stood at the other side of her doorway, looking up at Echo. "Thanks, Echo, I appreciate it. I'll keep you in mind." she began. She then stopped, and seemed to look deeply into the bright red of Echo's eyes. "...goodnight, Echo." she mumbled, tilting her face down as it turned red once again.
Echo smiled to himself, and spoke before turning away. "Goodnight, Elizabeth. Good luck tomorrow." and with that, he made his way out of the crew quarters, and back to the banquet, which was winding down and close to finishing.
Elizabeth watched as the Exo left the crew quarters, the shiny white and red of his armor plating reflecting the moonlight. As he walked away, she heard his voice ring in her head once more.
<i>Goodnight, Elizabeth...</i>
and her heart skipped several beats. She didn't know what it was, but the Guardian was beginning to grow on her. As she closed the door to her quarters and walked into her room, visions began to flow through her mind.
Visions of Echo tucking her into bed, the warm summer breeze moving through her room. Visions of the two of them, covered by a thick fur blanket, this time in his own quarters, a roaring fireplace at the foot of his large bed. As he began to 'sleep', she leaned over and kissed his shiny metal forehead before falling asleep herself.
The visions passed like a fleeting shadow, and she was left alone in her quarters. <i>Alone</i>, she thought. <i>What a great way to spend the night</i>. With that, she sighed to herself, and soon was asleep.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone