Shining Fragments - Buraidragon - Warframe [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

Chapter Text

Umbra was decidedly odd. They were specifically odd in the sense of their own sentience-- and that, despite that, he was willing to go along with whatever Glace suggested. This is why the frame--being? Still a bit uncertain on all that-- was currently sitting in front of a fish tank, staring into it.

Then he hears something turning on-- and he doesn’t know that sound. The Frame quickly stands, and leaps onto the side of the tank. He settles himself on the ceiling, hanging there with one of the more useful aspects of this curse. He slightly unsheathes his blade, and proceeds to keep an eye peeled for whatever made that sound.

The platform where a hologram of one of his saviors load-outs rests flickers. It fades as a panel pulls back, revealing something that looks like a mish-mash of Orokin, Corpus, and… sentient? No, some unknown technology.
There’s a flash, and now a lady dressed in blue stands there, a helmet under her arm.

“Glace, you in? Got your message about something on the moon, and I haven't heard since so I was worried.”
So this girl knows his savior. Still a chance it might be a lie.

Umbra waits until the girl passes him before dropping down on the ground. She turns at the sound of his feet hitting the ground, but by then his blade is at her throat.
“Ooookay then. Gave me a heart attack there, Glace!”
Umbra growls at her.
“...Y’aint Glace, are ya? Um. Y’want me to sit down with my back on a wall, hands on my head? If I do shady sh*t you can stab me?”

Those are acceptable terms. He nods.
“Got it, mister.”
Umbra keeps a watchful eye on her as the mystery girl sits down. He notices an ornate silver magnum on her lower back, and one if hands snags it as a precaution.

“Be careful with that gun, mister. I value it as much as you probably value that sword of yours.”
...He’ll take that into consideration and rest it next to the purple helmet his savior holds dear.

Silence reigns between the two. Umbra stays still, keeping his blade at the girl’s throat. The girl stays still, calmly staring back at the Frame.

Fifteen minutes later, the ship Cephalon returns from wherever in the Weave he was.

“Umbra? What-- Oh! Marduk! Are both of you quite alright?”
“I'm fine, Ordis. Guess Umbra, as you call him, doesn't know about the teleporter thing. Nor did I know about him until I found him with his sword at my throat.”
“Ah, I see. Umbra, I understand if you’re worried but Marduk here is a friend.”

He growls again, one of his eyes deep inside his head rolling slightly.
“...I take it you want to hear it from Glace yourself.”
A nod.
“...Very well. I shall encourage them to speed up their mission. Marduk, will you be fine here?”
“I'll be good! Guy reminds me of those Fallen that serve the Awoken Queen. I know how to behave around them.”
“Very well. I shall go inform Glace.”

The Cephalon is gone.
Marduk shrugs, and goes to lower her arms. They’re placed right back on her head once the pressure from Umbra’s blade increases slightly.
“Alright, alright, I got it. Keep hands where you can see them.”

Five more minutes pass before the sound of the lander docking rings through the Orbiter.
“The Operator has returned. Umbra and Marduk are in your quarters. I recommend you hurry.”

The door opens, and Glace jogs on in. They blink a few times before speaking. “Ah. Seems I forgot to tell both of you about the other.”
Umbra tilts his head. Savior does know this lady?
“Yes, I do know her. Marduk is a trusted friend of mine.”
...Very well. Umbra retracts his blade, sheathing it once more.

“Whew. Thanks for that, Glace, I was starting to lose feeling in my arms!” Marduk lowers them, shaking them out a bit. “This guy’s kinda spooky, you know?”
Umbra growls, and gives Marduk a specific hand gesture.
“Wow, rude.”
The Frame repeats the action.

“Could both of you please stop? I do need to explain things. If it helps on your end, Marduk, I finally have a tea pot.”
“I’m stealing it to make tea!”
“It’s on the far side of the main fish tank.”
The Warlock picks up her gun, holstering it on her lower back once again. She finds the tea kettle and gets to work, filling it with water from some sort of thermos she carries on her.
Umbra pads to the circular couch around the Somachord. He’s going to flop on it and stare at Marduk. And then the fish. Fish are always so distracting….

“Umbra seems to like fish.”
“Seeing as he’s finally calm for the first time in void-knows how long, I think that’s pretty understandable.”
“...What type of bullsh*t?”
“Ballas and Sentient f*ckery.”
“Wait they were working together?”
“I think? I’m still processing what the hell happened.”

Umbra growls a bit, before making a stabbing gesture with his hands.
“That’s right-- Ballas is f*cking dead.”
“Good. Bastard sounded like a piece of work.”
“Lotus has reverted into some sort of Sentient bullsh*t.”
“Wait what now?” Marduk has paused in making the tea, instead blinking at Glace.
“I’m still trying to process it.”
“...Yeah I can see why. Jesus, that’s like Ikora suddenly becoming some sort of Vex, ain’t it?”
“Just a bit, yes.”
“If I was positive you were done growing I’d so give you some vodka.”

Umbra perks up at that, glancing over at Marduk.
“You know that drink, old man?”
A minor growl of annoyance, and a nod. With a loud crack a sort of Fang-filled mouth opens. “Ggghh… ghhhiiiiiiiiiiive.”
“...Take it, but don’t get too wasted.” Marduk snaps her fingers, and her Ghost appears with a sigh before handing Umbra a dusty bottle full of clear liquid.
Umbra nods at the pair, and slinks off to the other side of the central fish tank.

The sounds of chugging can soon be heard.
“...Well. It seems now I can learn if he can get drunk.”
“From the sounds of it that man has needed a drink for a few years.”
“He has. Anyone would.”
“...It’s not alcohol but I’m so slipping some apple cider in your tea.”
“I appreciate the thought.”