Hope everyone had a happy Valentines Day! Sry for my nasty habit of posting every one of these a day after the designated holiday, but l’m always (understandably) busy the day of each holiday l write a short story for. l love all of u and am so thankful for the support I’ve gotten from this community! Enjoy the story and the rest of the Crimson Days! (l snuck in some special appearances so keep your eyes open) b]Part One[/b] Rose petals floated in the wind through the Tower courtyard, flitting like red butterflies low to the ground. A stronger gust came through and carried a few of the petals up past my head. My hand darted out and I gently snagged one out of the air. I looked at it, held between my thumb and forefinger, and smiled at its simplicity. Such a small and delicate thing, yet so beautiful. I saw why the people of the City thought of it as a symbol of love. “Pfft pff gah!” I turned my head to where Sierra stood next to me, swatting the other rose petals that had been drifting by out of her face and hair. She had turned to face me right as the breeze had picked up. “Wipe that stupid grin off your face,” Sierra growled, pulling a petal out of her hair and brushing another off of her hood. “Oh come on, even you have to admit that was funny,” I laughed, releasing my own petal back into the wind. “Such a mess,” the Huntress grumbled, “How can anyone stand to have all these blowing around everywhere?” “It’s just a little decoration,” my laughter died down. “A little?!” Sierra flung her arms out to remind me of the red and white banners hung all over the Tower, along with the trails of rose petals and crafts of red paper hanging around. “Okay it’s a lot of red, but it looks pretty and it’s only until the holiday’s over,” I replied. “Not to mention all the themed armor coloration going around, everyone looks like a bunch of clowns,” Sierra referred to all the red and white clothing and armor that the Guardians and civilians were wearing. A passing Hunter in full red gear heard her and gave her a hurt look, which she answered with a glare. “What do you have against decorations? You didn’t complain this much for the other holidays,” I reasoned. “The other holidays don’t have decorations that blow in your face or get in your boots,” she answered. “Remember the candles at Festival of the Lost?” I crossed my arms, “All the paper scraps and candles?” “Hehe, any decoration that can make Drew’s goofy skirt catch fire is fine with me,” Sierra snickered. “I can’t believe you sat there laughing! I had to tackle him down so he wouldn’t set the banners on fire!” I complained. “Too bad Sally was able to fix up his Mark; that Future War Cult stuff hurts my eyes,” she went back to complaining. “It’s not that bad, I’ve seen Guardians wearing much worse,” I dismissed. “You mean like what you’re wearing, Mister-holiday-spirit?” Sierra pointed at my white armor, decorated with some lines of red. “I happen to like the holiday color scheme,” I crossed my arms. “If I was wearing those colors, would I look pretty?” Sierra reclined against the Tower edge railing and gestured at her mostly brown outfit. “I-I don’t-“ I had no idea how to answer and found myself fumbling with my tongue. “Oh look, more red,” Sierra pointed at my face and laughed. Realizing she meant I was blushing, I looked away from her and back out over the edge of the Tower towards the City. Lights and parades and more patches of red and white could be seen below as the people celebrated. “Still can’t talk to women,” Sierra teased and looked over to the City as well, “You know, after all these years I’ve still never asked anyone what the Crimson Days are about.” “Really?” I raised an eyebrow at her, “They’re about celebrating your bonds with the people you care about; the people you love. Friends, family, other halves.” “Oh…” Sierra seemed to regret a few of her insults about the holiday, “Leave it to you to know all about it even on your first time through.” “Well, you know me,” I grinned. We looked at each other for a moment, not having anything more to say. [i]She probably would look good in white and red[/i], I told myself, [i]Not that she doesn’t look good now…by the Traveler what am I thinking?[/i] Cheeks burning as I realized I was staring, I snapped my eyes away from hers. I noticed her snap her head away a moment after. [i]Did her face redden, too? Have her eyes always been so pretty?[/i] “Where is that purple idiot anyway?” Sierra found something else to talk about. “He was supposed to track down Trixie and bring her here, and Veronica was looking for Crag,” I reminded, “Knowing Trix, she’s probably too distracted by the celebrating to realize we’ve been calling, and Crag is probably trying to get as far away from the festivities as possible.” “Fair enough. I guess we haven’t been stuck here too long, considering all that,” Sierra muttered. “You’re right,” Sierra and I jumped and spun around as a new voice addressed us, “I didn’t want to be here.” Crag stood right behind us, completely unnoticed in his approach and now standing in his usual slouch. His helmet was on with hood up, as usual, and he was scuffing his foot to destroy a few of the petals at his feet. “Hey Crag,” I smiled, “Veronica found you?” “Yep, said she’d be here in a minute,” Crag sighed. “Aw come on, you may not like the holidays but aren’t you glad to see us?” I probed. “Good to see you both,” Crag muttered grudgingly, but I could tell he meant it. “Well at least I’m not the only one who doesn’t care about all this,” Sierra leaned back on the railing again. “GUYS!” another voice exclaimed, followed shortly by Trixie tackling the three of us with an embrace, “Isn’t this all so wonderful?! And all the decorations are so pretty!” Sierra and Crag both groaned with annoyance at the hug and the thought of the decorations. “Guys I found Trixie! And a cool armor shader!” Drew’s voice rang out as he too ran up to join us. His armor was no longer the typical FWC violet, yellow, red, and white, and instead was covered in just bright purple and red aside from his usual FWC Mark that hung on his right hip. “Somehow that looks even worse than before,” Sierra’s face scrunched up in disgust. Crag grunted in agreement, but Drew didn’t notice either of them. “Have you seen all the flowers?!” Trixie continued to gawk. “Honestly it’s almost as if it’s your first Crimson Days,” Sierra pushed Trixie away playfully. “It is!” Trixie declared. “Um, Trix,” her Ghost appeared next to her, “It’s really not.” “It’s not Ghostie?” Trixie questioned. “No you’ve had several, it’s the same thing every year,” Ghostie explained, “You’ll remember eventually…I hope.” “Those mind wipes are killer,” Sierra shook her head. “But I haven’t had a wipe since Ghostie found me,” Trixie remained confused, then turned to her Ghost and asked thoughtfully, “I haven’t, right?” “You haven’t,” Ghostie answered. “I meant the mind wipes from before you died,” Sierra elaborated, “They scrambled your brain so now you don’t remember things.” “Yeah that happens to me sometimes,” Drew reminisced, “Forgot where one of my favorite bars was once.” “Can Veronica just hurry up and get here so we can go?!” Sierra turned and begged towards the Traveler. “Careful what you wish for, sugar,” Veronica’s voice carried softly to us, causing all of us aside from Sierra to turn and see her coming down the courtyard stairs towards us. “I take it back,” Sierra addressed the Traveler again, “Just strike me down now.” Pt2: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/243102694/0/0 Legend Untold Table of Contents: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/212710816/0/0