Day 30: Hope Ash Parth was given a call by Eiji Hojo who owns an office of his own with patients. Parth did recall back at the Moon when he and Eiji were working together against the Hive that he was a doctor while being a Guardian himself. Parth hardly believed that a Guardian can be a doctor but he guesses that it is what it is. Following the coordinates as Dusk received, he and Parth made it to an office space named Hojo's Pharmacy. With the hours being labeled and who works here. Only two people including Eiji works here which Parth is curious who the second one is. Actually, make it three as there was a lady up front working the reception and the waiting area was near empty with a few people in. Parth walked up and the lady at the reception asked right away with him on an appointment. he only told her that he was here as Eiji wanted to see Ash Parth. The lady named Cathy Marino checked with Eiji through an intercom and he told Cathy to send Parth in and she instructed him to where Eiji's office was. So Parth and Dusk walked to where Eiji was checking up on a child as a regular checkup. Looking at Eiji being more like an actual doctor and his armor might be stored somewhere. Maybe Suzaku, Eiji's Ghost, is waiting for her Guardian at his office. Letting the doctor continue his work, Parth and Dusk continued to the office and was greeted with Suzaku who was interrogating them on why they are here. Dusk tried to negotiate with Suzaku but it seems two Ghosts arguing would attract the doctor as Parth went outside to let the shells argue all the want and met up with Eiji telling his current patient to keep himself in check and listen to his mother as she was with them. Eiji noticed when the parent and child left and smiled. "Good to see you again, Mr. Parth," he said. He opened the door to see his own Ghost arguing with Dusk. He tells Suzaku not to argue as he was expecting Parth over here as he wanted to talk with him. Parth asked what Eiji wanted from him when he was insisted to have a seat. Even curious on Eiji's works and rewards from both as a Guardian and as a doctor. Even added why he became a doctor and worked with the people. Eiji chuckled a little bit and answered to Parth, "Just to help humanity as much as I can, Ash Parth. Now I know about you since the old days. We never met but I heard many about you. Being a protector to humanity when they never asked. Being a shadow to the Traveler and being a thorn on the Vanguard's side? Believe me, the Vanguard have been on edge for a long while. Can't complain and it isn't easy at this point of who's right or wrong. Whether the Light or the Dark are good or evil. Learned that from my parents when I was a child." "What are ya gettin' at, Eiji?" Parth asked. "Just as I want to protect, I want to help regardless on both ends. Why? For hope. Don't you ever thought about giving humanity the hope whether from the shadows or not, Parth?" Hope? It was not easy for Parth to grasp since Tara and the Crow's Nest was destroyed. Plenty of others spite him in many ways which he was used to. But even remembering seeing Lissa the other day at the park and even the children from the orphanage where Lailah was still there as a nun was something that Eiji was talking about. At the least Parth can think of being a Robin Hood with some of the Glimmer to share to those less fortunate. However, some of those days were dimming and not plenty would ask for the charity but for a favor. It was how most of society goes to these days and rare times charity was mainly mentioned like the old days. Just once in a while that is mentioned and plenty would join in. Parth would sneak his earn to keep some of the goals reached. Parth took a deep breath and said to Eiji, "Look, doc, I get where you're trying to point out for me. However, everyone has their own line of work. Not gonna lie, I respect you of what you're doing in both being a Guardian and a doctor. For me, I keep my own personal life to myself. I'll keep the people in check and protected whether they know me or not. With or without this little glimmer of hope." As Parth started to leave, Eiji had to say some last words to him, "Never change, Ash Parth. Even when you don't see yourself as, you're a glimmer of hope for those less fortunate. You just keep doing you and become that hope for humanity. We fight for whatever cause we give to them. We are Guardians. I thank you again from the other day on the Moon. One day, we might fight alongside again." After they made their piece - even Parth didn't mind the thanks given and agreed one day they'll work together in the field - Parth left the office and out of the office space. Cathy even said to Parth to have a great day while she continues to schedule appointments. Parth didn't stop there. He actually made his way to the skyscraper he and Tara would go and watch the Last City. Dusk kept trying to keep check on his Guardian and Parth in return said that nothing was eating on him after his conversation with Eiji. When he arrived, he pulled Tara's wedding ring and looked over the Last City itself. All Parth can think of is if Tara was here and she were to see him glooming over this feeling, what would she say to him. He already killed plenty of the Red Legion and he made his piece with Calus and his Loyalists and became a Shadow. Would Tara tell him that he is some hope to the less fortunate. Even when Parth went to that church and seen Lailah taking care of the kids along with the other nuns and priests, the children who were still there were excited to see Parth and Dusk still around and begged to hear stories and play with them. Maybe... Just maybe as Parth can think of, there is little bit of hope since plenty of troubles from the past had passed and today is much different then it was today. Even with some of the colorful Guardians he'd met right now have their own motives and can check with Parth whenever. Parth can only put Tara's wedding ring back behind his clothing, dangling like the pendent he used it for as a reminder. He even said to himself, "Even if some spite me or see me as a slither of hope, I know who I am and who I always will be. I am a Shadow. I am the Harbinger. I am the now the Forerunner. I am forever a mercenary and keep everything in check. This is the way."