Goddess Blood

Yetta flipped her knife around, the one Crow had given her. She was tempted to use it in the Crucible match, but she wasn't exactly sure how well Zavala would take it. It was, by all technicalities, still a war crime to use. On the other hand…were war crimes even still a thing? Fuck it, she'd use the Tri-dagger. She'd been wanting to see how it did, anyways. Yetta could hear Carman's footfalls gently approaching her. "Took you long enough," she sassed, jokingly.

Carman's stance told her to drop the act. "Sorry to call you away so urgently."

"I know why you wanted me here." The sun set over the Dreaming City, and dead scorn lay in a pile around Yetta, who'd been dragging her kills out of the road. "Crow told you that they'd challenged you to Crucible?"

"And that I could have anybody I wanted on my team."

Carman sniffed. "And you want me?"

"As backup."

"Hmph. I accept. Consider this your final test. If you can hold your own, and not need me as much, I'll consider you ready to step out from under my wing."

Yetta extended her hand, and Carman took it, shaking it.

. . .

She jogged around the map, looking for a good high place she could perch on. She had traded her armor out for some gray and red, jumping onto a chandelier. It had been Carman's idea to go to an area that nobody knew well, and now everybody was struggling to even find just one person.

She hummed softly as she set her sniper rifle up, checking how many shots she had. Her ears perked up, hearing running footfalls. She purred softly, peering through the sight to the titan. Her finger twitched, and the trigger was pulled, the titan dropping. Crow ran out, hand cannon at the ready as he gingerly poked the body with his toes. He looked around. Was he trying to find the other titan? Zavala had sit this one out, preferring to watch. It was three against five, and two of the three meant business. "How much time do we have?" she asked through the comms.

"A couple minutes left. Where are you?"

"Up here." She waved as he turned, turning sharply and slashing her sword through the other titan, who had been trying to sneak on her. "I'd say I'm doing pretty well. I've only died five times so far."

"You'll have to move positions, they'll be expecting you here."

"Vents it is." She hopped down, running to the heavy ammo. With a few clicks, it was hers, and she bolted to the vents, sword at the ready. "Where's Carman?"

"In that cafeteria area. She's nailed them down a few times." Yetta nodded quietly, watching Crow run off. She knew grabbing that heavy ammunition would give away where she was. Yetta was counting on it. Her hood was grabbed, yanking her back. One of the titans, Chavil, readied his fist, tugging her to the floor. She undid her cloak, stepping forwards, and swinging around. 

She took a good look at him as she dodged his punch. His armor was burnt, singed edges revealing skin. "You can't even beat Carman," she taunted, drawing her knife and slashing quickly. He punched her, hard. Her head flew back, her helmet cracking. Yetta laughed and yanked it off. Now it was a party. "I've been looking forward to this," she jeered, hurling her helmet at his head and ducking low, knocking his feet from under him. 

Her knife slashed into one of his exposed points, red blood starting to pool, and drip. She dodged Chavil grabbing for her legs, yanking his head back. "What's that you said about her in the first place? She's in your way?" Her knife pressed into his throat, a derranged grin spreading on her face. "Who's in the way, now?"

The timer buzzed, signaling the end of the match. She let Chavil go, throwing him to the floor. With an exaggerated bow, she walked off, tucking her knife into her boot. She could hear the titan grabbing for his gun. Yetta knew he wouldn't shoot her. She also knew that if he couldn't follow the rules, Zavala would deal with him. She scooped her helmet off of the floor, inspecting the damage. 

One side was completely shattered, both from the impact of the punch, and the throw from earlier. She saw Carman running towards her from one direction, and grinned proudly. "I held my own!" she declared.

"I see that." Carman took the helmet from Yetta's hands. "And you took a few hits of your own." Cold, metal fingers grabbed Yetta's face, turning it to and fro, looking for any injuries or bruises. As the adrenaline wore off, Yetta noticed the warmth trickling from her nose. "Your nose is broken," Carman noted. "Get Jason on that."

. . .

After a Crucible match, it was sort of tradition between her and Carman to go out for lunch, or dinner, or whatever meal was closest. Of course, now they had Crow and the titans dining with them. It was a matter of goodwill between the opponents. Zavala sat across from her, looking her dead in the eyes as he drank his water. 

"So…" Yetta began. The tension was heavy. The female Titan, a fellow Awoken named Bethy, sighed heavily, raising her glass and standing.

"Here's to us being in the wrong," she toasted. "We were put in our place today, and that deserves respect." Chavil looked at her, surprised. "And here's to Yetta, who managed to surprise both of us." Yetta raised her glass, a small smile playing on her lips. Chavil hesitantly raised his glass, nodding along. Bethy tilted her head a little, thinking of another toast. "And here's to the Young Wolf, we all know she's saved our asses more than enough to earn some gratitude."

Carman raised her cup, nodding. "So you'll leave my student alone?" she asked. 

"Well, we won't be challenging her to anything anytime soon. Not if it means going against you." Bethy sat back down. 

Carman hummed, sipping her tea. "Next time, I'll deny her invitation to fight a Crucible match with her." She observed the charred armor, and made a quiet noise. "I hope that didn't hurt too much. Hot metal is…painful to be in, to say the least."

"I am well aware," Yetta chuckled. Her shoulder panged in slight agony for a second, causing her smile to falter. Zavala cleared his throat.

"I hope this means a lesson has been learned on both sides." He set his cup down. "As far as I'm concerned, this matter has been dealt with." He turned to Crow. "And you?"

"I'm considering it dealt with, with Yetta serving a couple weeks of community service to finish learning her lesson." He cast a quick look at the girl, who's jaw dropped. Bethy tapped her foot, leaning across.

"I'll help you with it, no worries," she whispered. Yetta smiled softly, tapping her foot back.

"Speaking of, Crow, we need to talk." Yetta quickly looked back over, watching the two vanguard members stand up. "Have a good day, everyone," Zavala told them. "There's a vanguard meeting we're almost missing."

Crow leaned over, pecking her cheek as he stood. Yetta stared at him, dreamily. "Have a good meeting," she told him, squeezing his hand.

"Carman, can you come with us?" Crow asked. "This involves you, as well."

Carman cleared her throat, standing up. Her hand gently patted Yetta's shoulder, a silent "good job out there" going unsaid. Chavil stood as well, bidding them farewell, also.

When it was just Bethy and Yetta sitting there, the huntress looked around awkwardly. Bethy took another bite of her food. "So," she started.

"So?"

"Good job out there." She held her hand out. "You showed us up, and that, well. You've only been around a year. That takes talent at this stage."

Yetta took it, shaking the firm grip. "Carman trains me hard," she explained. 

"Is she secretly a titan?"

The huntress laughed, shaking her head. "Well, whatever it is, I'm proud of you. I mean it! You showed us what you're capable of, and that deserves a bit of respect. Chavil says you were just about to slit his throat when the buzzer went off."

"It was nothing, really-." 

"No, listen. You had him on the *floor*. You got him on his knees, with a knife to his throat. Chavil never hesitates, never. And you had him hesitating." Bethy raised her glass. "So, here's to a new friend. And here's to getting stronger."