Guild Wars 2

Authors note: To learn more about Ting Ryu, visit this page: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/community/fangen/Fanfic-A-light-in-the-smoke-flickers/first#post3816605 She is my thief

Chapter 2 begins..

Taimi was standing with arms crossed waiting for an answer. “Who sent you Proto?”. “Sir, can we discuss this tomorrow? I’m really very tired.”. “I think that is an excellent idea.” Said Jory, in a slightly demanding tone. “Good night you two..whatever it is can keep until tomorrow.” “Yes ma’am, goodnite. Nite Proto. Here’s a blanket, see you in the morning. Scruffy, bedtime..”. Scruffy picked her up and gently slid her inside so she could curl up and go to sleep. “Goodnight Sir, pleasant dreams.” Yawned proto. “Now that’s settled, tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.” thought Jory, she turned and went back inside. Proto curled up near Scruffy and fell fast asleep. The cool evening air made sleeping easy, and off they all went.

The dawn broke with Zepherites going back and forth, the distinctive crackling they made when they jumped from pole to post, and beyond, woke Taimi. “Mmmmorning already?” Said Taimi stretching. “Scruffy, exit..” Scruffy opened her compartment and lowered her carefully. Proto was examining some banners and kites. He must have gotten his notepad to function properly since he was now using it. “Notation: Zepherites enjoy bright colors and the fluidity of air and light, undoubtedly further study would be most enlightening”. “Oh good morning Sir, hope you slept well.” Said proto reaching for his blanket and folding it. “Mmmhmm yeah. Scruffy is quite comfortable.” remarked Taimi. “Now, I want an answer. Who is she? Who sent you?” The day began as the previous one had ended it seems, with Taimi demanding an answer. Proto fiddled with his coat and looked away. As Taimi grew impatient, an unknown figure approached. The figure wore a long coat, and wide brimmed hat. A mask obscured it’s face. “That would be me” the figure remarked. Taimi a little startled turned and eyed the stranger. Scruffy remained still, “Curious” thought Taimi, “Why didn’t Scruffy react?”. As the stranger advanced, Taimi spoke up “Stop, come no closer.” It’s alright Sir, she sent me." asserted Proto. “She?” asked Taimi. “Yes Sir, she recommended you to me, when I was still in Rata Sum”. replied Proto. “We met shortly before the death of his Father. It was during the Aetherblade attacks…” The strangers voice trailed off. “Who are you?” Asked Taimi. “Call me Ting, Ting Ryu.” the stranger said dusting off her cloak. “Nonsense” said Taimi, Ting Ryu is the Pact Commander. She is beautiful and has long snowy white hair that became so when…" Taimi was cut off in mid sentence by the stranger removing her hat and mask. Her lovely white hair cascaded down her face and rested on her shoulders. “..that became so when she faced Zaitan and his hordes, in their final battle. Some say it was when the Spirit of Glint awoke in her as she fell, and brought her back. And even now, guides her everystep as a guardian of Tyria herself, a Tyria she so deeply loved and protected when she walked it’s lands..” Ting shook her hair and opened her coat, revealing twin pistols on her hips and twin daggers, one in each boot.

“Gosh.. it is you..”. Taimi, for a moment was speechless. Here before her was someone that had stood face to face with Zaitan and his minions, someone that was there when Scarlet fell. Someone that hears an ancient voice. She felt a bit humbled and a little afraid. Ting sensed her emotions and smiled, “relax kid, I’m just flesh and blood like you. No more or less important than anyone else standing for Tyria”. “Well said my lady” remarked Proto kneeling as he did. “Get up Proto, I’m no one you should kneel too.” Said Ting shaking her head. Proto stood and appolgized “I’m sorry Ash.. Umm, Ting”.

From behind came footsteps and the rustling of armor. “Made it did you? I was beginning to wonder if you were coming at all.” Everyone looked around and saw Braham. “Hey handsome” she replied, “good to see you too!” Ting smiled as he approached, his blushing, tickled her. “Ha! Soo true.” Braham smiled, but he knew all to well why it took as long as it did. But that was another story. “So big guy, what are you up to these days?” Asked Ting. “He’s been dragging me to the Queens Pavilion, and getting in fights as usual..” Replied Rox, “Good to see you Ting, glad you’re here. Alright now?” Rox asked, looking a bit concerned. “Rox”, Whispered Braham, “not in front of everyone..” It’s alright Braham, yeah I’m okay. I just needed time.". Taimi looked confused and felt a bit left out. “Alright? Were you hurt?”. “Sort of..” replied Ting, “I’ll tell ya later about it, ok?”. “Fine”, Taimi was happy now, she felt included. Afterall they keep telling her she is part of the team. “I’m hungry” remarked Taimi sniffing the air, “Smells like Lady Kasmeer has breakfast coming”. Jory and Kas appeared as if on que, “And by coming she means ordered!” Laughed Jory. “One little kitchen fire, and I’m labeled for life huh..” Said Kas feeling a little abused. “Darlin, burning down that kithen is kinda a big deal.” “I tried to put it out using magic and well it went wrong.. sorta.. I’m better in battle, then things are fine if they blow up.” Replied Kasmeer defensively. “As long as you’re on the right side of the explosion, that is Darlin” returned Jory. They tossed remarks back and forth a bit longer and ended up laughing it off. Braham shook his head and whispered to Rox, “Are they really mad?”. Rox shook her head, “You want me to explain humans? Good luck with that!”. And shrugged. With that they all laughed and talked among themselves. Ting walked over to Proto, who was staring out into the clear sky, and seemed to be a long way away, lost in thought. “You okay Proto?” Said Ting taking a seat near him, so she didn’t have to look down, she never liked doing that. Asurans are just furry people, no better or worse, than anyone else.

Proto looked at her after a time and slowly nodded. “It’s going to take time, a long time, but one day you’ll be ok. You’ll still miss him, but you’ll move on, as he would want for you.” She rubbed his back and tried to smile. Painful memories of that day were flooding back. Proto lowered his head and tears fell on the ground. Ting hugged him and few of her own fell as well. The rest were lost in thought, except Taimi, she pondered Ting and Proto, and wondered what they were upset about. She made her way to them, and asked “Are you ok, Proto?” Proto wiped his eyes and looked away. He was embarrased, and walked away without saying anything. Taimi looked confused, and sat near Ting. “Did I say something wrong?” for once she sounded her age and very childlike, it was easy to forget her age, she was very intelligent and reminded them of this often, with her comments and actions. But now, she was a 13 year old wondering why her new friend was crying. “Okay, I did promise to explain.”. Ting took a deep breath, and began. “By now you know about Scarlets attack on the Arch, and how many, many lives were lost and forever changed that day, and the days that followed. Protos Father was there, he was looking to find some obscure materials to make something and, well he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A member of the order was compiling a list of the dead and I as his superior was reviewing it, and saw his name. I didn’t have time to grieve, we met a while back in my travels to Rata Sum for the Pact, I was too busy doing my duty and getting out as many survivors as possible. I did let my grief fuel my anger, and well I did things I’m not proud of. It was war of a sort, but that is no excuse..” Ting wiped bitter tears away as Taimi looked on, wanting to know more but not able to ask, clearly it was too painful a subject. Ting began again. “I made sure his remains were brought to Rata Sum personally. That was partially responsible for my delay in coming here.” “I’m very grateful for that Ting, my father was a good man, he didn’t deserve to die like that. No one did..” Proto was silent again. “Do you know why he was there? He wanted to make me new goggles. He needed some rare elements to make them examine my vision and self correct as time went by. He was there because of me.” Proto sat near the other two and lowered his head. Taimi thought long and hard, in her way she revered Scarlets intellect, she never stopped to consider what harm that intellect caused. She realized, much to her dismay, her infactuation with Scarlets talents, were sadly misplaced.

End of Chapter 2

Chapter three is here:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/community/creations/The-Festival-brings-Taimi-Chapter-3/first#post4141737