Serene, Tranquil. Violent, Hurtful.

Yetta perched on the rock, trying her hair back. She could faintly hear Eliksni scavengers rummaging around, watching them from a distance. Not Mithrax's kin, that was for sure. Wrong markings, and they tended to stay safe in the city. Some guardians tended to shoot first, and it was hard to tell who was good, and who asked questions later. But these weren't doing her any harm, even if some of them were watching her back. Breakneck lay at her side, a pale blue hand on it. It wasn't very often she went without a helmet and gloves in the field, but she wasn't looking for a fight.

"I heard from Zavala that you almost picked a fight." Ah. Good. Carman had made it. Yetta hummed dismissively. "I also heard that if it wasn't for your ghost, you would have fought them then and there."

"They were fixing to insult you, you should have heard the things they were saying about you." Yetta wasn't even going to try to excuse herself. She had every right to feel like she could hold one or both titans at gunpoint until they apologized to Carman. She knew she was right. She was just protecting her mentor's honor, and Crow's honor as well.

Carman sat next to Yetta. "And what things did they say that would possess you to threaten titans stronger than you?"

"That you wouldn't be in their way if you died." Ok, maybe she misunderstood them. Maybe she was exaggerating. "Then they said they'd kill Crow over and over again if it wasn't for the Vanguard protecting him." That wasn't an exaggeration.

Carman made a soft noise, settling a hand on Yetta's shoulder. "You were trying to defend us?"

"I mean-" Yetta shrugged. "You can defend yourself no problem, of course. So can Crow. I know this. But I might as well help, right?"

Carman was lost for words. Yetta pressed on. "I almost lost you after the Witness. I…I can't really stand the thought of that. And I know you're stronger than that. I do. But- I don't know. I just want to help."

"Can't help much if you end up with a target on your back. You also know this." Carman sighed. "I know you could have taken them."

"No I couldn't," Yetta chuckled.

"You took on the Witness, and walked away. You didn't kill them, but you shot them twice. That's pretty damn impressive. And if you could do that, you can take on a titan or two."

"Can't land any hits on you in a private match though."

Carman puffed her chest out, the exo beaming almost proudly. "Yes you can. It's just rare."

Yetta bumped shoulders with her mentor, smiling sheepishly. The Eliksni scavengers moved on, still looking back at the young hunter, warily. She nodded at them to get out of here. Night was falling, but that didn't mean they'd necessarily be safe.

. . .

The sky in the city was still alight with lanterns when she arrived back at the city. Most everybody had already gone to bed, the streets silent and empty. Yetta wrinkled her nose at the smell of weed permeating from her neighbor's door, crossing over to hers with her head down. "Yetta? Yetta Toal?" Louella leaned over the balcony, long hair, silvered from age, was the only indicator she was even there. "Is that you?"

Sighing tiredly, and smiling faintly, Yetta answered. "Yeah, it's me."

"You have a guest, dear. I'll send him down." A guest? Yetta didn't particularly want guests, at the moment. She was tired from her running, her legs ached, and specks of Hive blood had landed on her face. Cherry whined at her side, nudging her bag.

"Alright." She pushed her door open, dropping her satchel on the couch, and taking out the Hive arm within. Sitting on the couch, she gently tossed the arm at Cherry, who happily pounced on the arm, crunching loudly. She let down her hair, the crimson strands falling into her golden eyes. Her eyes drifted shut, and her breathing evened.

. . .

A plate of bacon was set in front of her, the smell waking her up. Groaning, Yetta sat up, blinking blearily at the blanket that covered her. "Hey you," a kind voice greeted to her right. Yetta turned, glancing at Crow. Why was Crow here? "You, ah, you left your door unlocked. I meant to see you last night, but…" He shrugged. "When I got to you, you were already fast asleep."

"And you stayed?" Yetta looked at him, warily.

"Somebody had to make sure you were safe." Crow sat beside her. Yetta sat up fully, swinging her legs over the edge and picking up her bacon, biting in and groaning softly. "I have to talk to you about something," he sighed. Yetta swallowed her bite, almost fearful.

"Shoot," she prompted.

"You tried to pick a fight with titans, outside of an arena. Wanna explain that to me?"

"Do I get coffee first?" Crow leveled her with a look. "Zavala?"

"Zavala."

"They were insulting you and Carman. I couldn't just-!"

He pulled her into a loose hug. "Carman told me. But Zavala and Ikora both want me to talk to you about it, and discuss consequences." Yetta pulled away, her nose wrinkling in disdain. 

"Sounds boring," she groaned, taking another bite of bacon. "Community service?"

He smiled at her, wryly. "Actually…the titans are challenging you to a Crucible match." Yetta whined softly. "And you have permission to bring whoever you'd like, including…"

"Including Carman," she realized. "Exactly how many people will be on my team?"

"Well, considering it's you versus them, and they want to bring Zavala into the match, me and Carman on your side. *If* Carman accepts."

"Zavala has to be smarter than that, he has to be." Yetta refused to believe she could pick just anybody. He had to have known she'd go for Carman in a heartbeat.

"I think he wants to teach them a bit of a lesson himself." Crow stood up, taking Yetta's empty plate from her and scratching Cherry on the head. "You don't just insult the person who saved the world, right? And do you really think he'd be alright with somebody borderline threatening a vanguard?' She noticed he struggled a little with the word. Crow was still not used to the title. That was fine, she still wasn't used to him being above her.

"I just can't believe he'd let me take the most overpowered guardian into the Crucible."

"Be glad you aren't going against Ikora. Shaxx can and will tell you stories."

"How long do I have?"