We Stand Together

Chapter 6: The Golden Age Professor

Sweat rolls and drips down her face as she takes another swing at the punching bag. The sound of flesh hitting leather echos around the empty room. Dust drifts from the ceiling as it rumbles and shakes gently. Uriah boots up from his place on a bench and floats over to her.

"Be careful! Zavala will make us replace that ceiling and bag if we damage it!" He scolds lightly, his single blue optic squinting at her.

Eden smiles apologetically before wiping the sweat off her forehead and going back to punching. It's silent between the two for a few moments until Uriah speaks up again.

"So, what was that yesterday with Jaren?"

Eden pauses momentarily, blush coating her face, before continuing to punch at the bag again.

"What do you mean what was that?" She inquires, breathy from the effort and being found out.

"So you weren't ogling over how deep and nice and smooth his voice sounded?"

Her breath catches and she chokes on air.

Uriah waits patiently until she's done before he eyes her with a knowing look. She returns it with an expression full of shock.

"Are you in my head?" Eden exclaims, looking wary.

Uriah's shell droops in a sheepish way.

"Kind of. Since I'm your Ghost, we're connected. I can feel what you feel and hear what you think. Vice versa," He explains.

Eden doesn't know how to feel about it but there's nothing she can do except make the best of it. She eyes the Ghost before standing straight and walking over to the bench he'd been at. Her muscles ache and burn as she sits and grabs a towel. The Ghost flutters about her head and shoulders before setting down on the curve of her right one.

"Well, I guess it's not so bad. Just...don't say anything," She stresses the last part.

"Not a word," He acknowledges.

Eden smiles and rubs the towel across her face, wiping off the sweat. After she's done, she slings the towel across her neck, careful of the Ghost on her shoulder.

"So," Eden starts, grabbing the attention of the Ghost.

Uriah hovers off her shoulder to look her in the eye directly.

"I've been thinking and I think I'm gonna go talk to that guy we passed when we first got here. Shaxx, I think I heard someone call him?"

Uriah looks at her curiously.

"You mean Lord Shaxx, the crucible master? Why?" He queries.

"Why not?" She shoots back.

The little Ghost looks as dumbfounded as he can with one optical eye but he pulls it off. He stares at her for a few minutes before he shakes it off and stares at her with determination.

"Alright."

A single dark eyebrow rises as she looks at him.

"Alright?"

"Yes. Alright. Let's do it," Uriah affirms.

Eden smiles and stands up to leave the training room.

As she leaves, she automatically makes her way toward the apartment she shares with her fireteam. She and Uriah remain silent as they walk, nodding to any Guardian that pass by. When they finally do arrive, there isn't anyone there but Lance, who's surrounded by stacks of old books and papers and datapads.

"Hey Lance, whatcha doing?" Eden asks as soon as she lays eyes on him.

The Warlock glances up at her before a genuine smile crosses his face.