#alva-li

[rodoboo]

I think ppl underestimate just how strategic and almost calculating Alva can be. I mean, at the end of the Demeter quest I was SHOOK when she outta knowhere pulled a ‘Wait, can’t you see, shes Elisabet Sobek reborn!’ to get Aloy out of trouble. Like, she never once hinted throughout all their interactions that she recognized her as an ancestor, that she knew who Elisabet was, that she knew there was something MORE going on with Aloy, she kept that shit locked down. I think she often gets categorized as the smart but naive bubbly tech gal, but she, like so many characters that start to get flanderized, has so much more going on.

[wildcmbcrsupdates]

Alva Bratt, DJ Suzy, Doris Daga, Elsa Levahn, Elvira Anderfjärd, Esther, Hannah-Li Säfstenvia, Klara Keller, Tove Burman and Wilma Wall via martasarnblad Instagram stories, 04/17/2024.

[turbulentscrawl]

Most Ruthless Hunters

Nothing super important here, just some musings as I consider some angsty requests. I've split (most of) the Hunters into three groups by how vicious they are in matches. This isn't regarding their difficulty, but rather how much they enjoy the matches and how much damage they'd inflict to a person. The top groups are, for example, more likely to bleed someone out. This is just my opinion, and it may change as I get to know the characters more.

Thoughts?

This is fun, isn’t it? They’re certainly enjoying themselves.

Luchino -He’s lost to urges sometimes. Hunter’s urges. His teeth crave meat to tear, and the matches provide.

Norton -Twisted and warped by those final feelings of resentment and vengefulness. Let hot blood run between the rocks like lava.

Galatea -She desires only to re-sculpt herself…with their bodies.

Ithaqua -It all comes down to territory—this is what he lives for now. And he likes it.

Orpheus -What remains is but a violent nightmare.

Robbie -A child without a head can hardly be expected to grasp the pain they’re inflicting.

It’s a mixed bag. They have purpose through this…but the desire to serve that purpose comes and goes. They get more vicious in certain circumstances.

Jack -He has two identities, and the danger depends on which face lies behind the mask.

Keigan -She will have respect. She will be heard.

Alva -He just wants to wrap this up and go back to his research. If you won’t cooperate, he’s no choice but to be rough.

Joseph -He’d rather be asleep than doing this, but if you won’t hold still, he will put you to sleep. Forever.

Antonio -When the devil is in control of his body, mercy doesn’t exist.

They get the job done so they can go home. The chair will suffice just fine, they don’t want to cause unnecessary pain, but injuries and accidents are still part of the game.

Phillippe -The wax is hot, it burns, he knows, he knows, he knows. Shut up and deal with it.

Wu Chang -There’s a drop of fun in the game. And if they might be reunited for winning someday…being cruel is worth it.

Michiko -It’s a bit cruel to do to others what was done to her…but she feels a bit drawn to the chase.

Grace -She does her best to make it quick, but she still sometimes wishes she could scream.

Hell Ember -Consciousness is foggy. The mind moves the body, nothing more. Hit, chair, hunt another.

Violetta -She wanted love, a stage, not this. She’ll do her best to be gentle. Promise.

[cylonalyna]

I’ve just finished Burning Shores and it was an amazing experience. Great setting, cool new machines and the Horus fight was awesome. And Elon Musk guy was so totally fun to obliterate, although I hated final fight with him, because it was dumb and tedious.

But the whole Seyka-Aloy relationship was really something truly awesome. I loved the chemistry between them and the fact that for the first time Aloy opened up to the idea of being attracted to someone.

And I think it’s because of a few factors

1. She listened to Tilda’s story and realized Elisabet pushed away the only person that truly loved her, because she was so focused on her work she couldn’t be bothered with a relationship. And it was a crack in Elisabet’s character and Aloy realized she is becoming Lis when she’s in fact her own person. And a lot of bad things could be said about Tilda, but she’s genuine when she says she loved Elisabet the most in the entire world and she regrets how things ended.

2. Secondly, she saw everyone move on to create relationships or wanting to. Alva has someone she loves waiting for her at home. Talanah found a man, who made a mistake, but she doesn’t dismiss him right away and is willing to work on that relationship. Varl found a beautiful woman who loved him dearly, Erend decided to be just friends. Kotallo is a great friend, but they’re from two different worlds. And I think that moment Aloy sees Zo kissing Varl she realizes that maybe she could have someone like that too.

3. She learned that having friends, people to care about and people who care about you isn’t a sign of weakness, but it’s actually the opposite. It’s strength, it’s friendship and love. Having family is a good thing not an obstacle.

4. She realized she doesn’t have to push everything and everyone away just because she’s the only person who can fix this world.

She knows people are naturally drawn to her and when she felt being drawn to somebody she decided to just try and be honest not only to Seyka, but to herself, because she doesn’t want to be Elisabet. Sure, she wants to fullfil her wish to make the world a better place, but that doesn’t mean she has to be alone. And she understands it’s gonna be hard but it’s a start.

And holy crap I cried so hard at the end because I am so happy for Aloy. I’m happy she’s opening up and giving herself a chance to have someone close, who could be more than just a friend.

GG did such a great job in portraying the relationship between Aloy and Seyka. Both are totally into each other, but we don’t get fireworks, we get a simple „wow” and it’s the most powerful „wow” I’ve ever seen.

I love that DLC, and although it broke my console to the point I had to hard reset it, it was an incredible experience. GG proves they respect their story and character, but also fans to give us the best experience.

[sirenjose]

Andrew's 4th Letter and Who's With Him

(Doing this for @LEx2THA on twitter's request)

We know:

3-0-1 is Andrew, 3-1-3 is Antonio, and the Will brothers (Polun) are with them. 3-?-2, 3-1-4, and 3-1-5 are the unknowns.

Polun I suspect is 3-?-2, as Andrew's 3rd letter mentions 3-?-2 and 3-1-3 having "noticeable emotional expressions". Based on Polun's personality + the fact they wear masks, they'd fit the "noticeable emotional expressions" descriptions. Then there's how in their 2nd letter, they mention Andrew started avoiding them after they asked him to "play a supporting role in their performance". This matches with Andrew in his 3rd letter stating he avoids 3-?-2 (and 3-1-3).

And Polun's 2nd letter mentions them getting dizzy after a feast, and 3-1-2 is described to be 1 of the first to be affected by the drugged wine during a "dinner party".

3-1-4 and 3-1-5 are harder to determine.

What we know about 3-1-4 is that they are polite, have themes involving trauma and faith, and are eliminated after being involved in arson beneath a stage.

My best guess at the moment is that 3-1-4 could be Sangria, who also has themes of faith and trauma in her story (faith related to the red lady, and trauma such as how her father beat her offstage and saw her as a toy). The ending of her backstory and deductions, where she leaps into a fire after a performance would fit with potentially being eliminated after a fire near a stage.

My current issue with her is I'd like confirmation Sangria is alive/real (not saying she is or isn't, just I wish I was more certain), as dead hunters aren't participants of the games (ex: Mary, Wu Chang, etc…).

There is Matthias, who we know burns Louis backstage and causes his parents' deaths would relate to the arson/elimination bit too, but the faith bit doesn't seem to fit with him.

There is someone like Ann, who does have faith themes in her story, but we know she's with Alva (based on her 2nd leter), who doesn't appear to be one of Andrew's teammates, and ergo I don't think she's here either.

That leaves 3-1-5. We know that they're good at disguising their true intentions, at sensing other's emotions, are hostile to Andrew, and wear a "facade created through acting" (uses when he lies to Andrew via fake praise). And they may eliminate Andrew and 3-1-4.

Honestly, based on the little we know about Florian from his recent trailer, I wonder if he may be 3-1-5. In a sense he is in the "spotlight" based on the whole bit with him being a "miracle" and how he "learned to play along with the stories" to receive more sympathy and donations, though we know from his trailer and hints from his backstory that he likely starts a fair number of fires (like in the scene where he drops a match with some nun not far away). So he would be the type not to be bothered by endangering or eliminating others. And it's also possible, based on his outlook about his parent's love still being with him, just "absorbed into the flames", and him being a miracle due to their sacrifice, which alleviates his pain at not seeing them, could be why he might be hostile to Andrew.

Andrew's mother did all she could to protect Andrew, but Andrew wants to die to be with her.

Compared to Florian, who may believe he is a "miracle" resulting from his parents' love, parents that did all the could to protect him.

Maybe he'd dislike the idea of Andrew throwing away his life after all his mother did to protect him?

I don't know, it's a bit hard for me to describe my thoughts rn, but hopefully I got at least some of it across.

(And we really do need Florian's deductions to know for sure.)

[olliesneweyes]

Identity V post for @poisoned-sugar11 where I give the video and a short explanation about the Guys

I'm doing only 3 of them just for simplicity and I'm Tired lmao (and my Emil interpretation is based on a lot of headcanon so—)

First guy: Luca Balsa

Luca, formerly nobility, became the student of one Alva Lorenz. Alva and Luca had a specific invention that they worked on together, but a huge row sparked after Luca thought Alva was stealing from his father's manuscripts, and as some of them had gone missing, Alva thought Luca was selling his ideas to others.

The row led to an electrical accident which killed Alva, and sent Luca to prison. From what seems to be a combination of that accident, trauma, and mistreatment in prison, Luca deteriorated mentally, and without money or a way to continue inventing, he trusted the letter inviting him to Oletus Manor to help him.

Second guy: Andrew Kreiss

Andrew is albino. Because of this, people thought he was a monster, and treated him very badly as a child. His mother, the only person who truly loved him, died of an illness after being evicted. After Andrew grew up, he went to Laz Cemetery to become a gravekeeper.

People were told that the people buried there were good, and the ones buried outside were bad. But they only buried rich people in the cemetery, and Andrew didn't think they deserved to be there because they weren't good. So he dug up their bodies and sold them for medical research. He was unfortunately discovered, however, so he fled. The letter that arrives for him is warm and comforting, so he follows their words to the manor.

Third guy: Victor Grantz

Struggling with Scoptophobia, Victor is very afraid of socialising. Despite being considered odd by most, an incident where he was very heroic during a fire has made people trust him. He also rescued a dog, Wick, from that fire.

Potentially because of his fear, he believes people's words are full of hypocrisy and lies, and are insincere. He believes that letters are more truthful, but he'd never received one himself until the letter from the manor arrived. Excited about his first letter, he believed everything it said wholeheartedly and left for the manor as soon as he could.

[discar]

HZD Terraforming Base-001 Text Communications Network

Chapter 18 | Prev chapter | Next chapter Chapter Index

Direct Message (@ DIVINER [Alva])

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Alva. Have you settled in with the outlanders?

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, sir! Although technically we're the outlanders not them?

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Your empathy is going to cause you problems one day, Diviner.

DIVINER [Alva]: Sorry!!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Have you learned anything of note so far?

DIVINER [Alva]: Uh, well, isn't all of the Legacy of note by definition?

OVERSEER [Bohai]: You're dodging the question.

DIVINER [Alva]: I just think it's important we don't lose sight of what's important!!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Alva, don't make me use the gif. You know I don't want to use the gif.

DIVINER [Alva]: I mean, I already copied over everything from that research center, most of the new stuff isn't really immediately relevant!

DIVINER [Alva]: I mean, it's IMPORTANT, I just think it can wait!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: [FuryRoadMediocre.gif]

DIVINER [Alva]: I'm soooory!!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Then tell the truth.

DIVINER [Alva]: It's just...

DIVINER [Alva]: I'm worried that you won't like the truth.

DIVINER [Alva]: pleasedon'tbemad

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Ah. Yes, I suppose my particular leadership style would come back to bite me one day.

DIVINER [Alva]: I'm sorry!!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Alva, I respect you. I respected you before this expedition, and your handling of the Ceo crisis was extraordinary.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Though I remain insulted that you keep assuming even the simplest of lies will convince me.

DIVINER [Alva]: ...sorry.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: The point is, I am going to be perfectly honest with you. No sugar-coating.

DIVINER [Alva]: I'm ready, Overseer.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: I make no promises that you will receive credit for your discoveries. You are working under me, and that means that your discoveries are my discoveries.

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes.

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, of course, I understand, Overseer.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: HOWEVER. I do promise that you will not be punished for any discoveries you make. Not even ones that conflict with the truth of the Legacy as we know it.

DIVINER [Alva]: Really!?

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Really.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Now, what have you discovered?

DIVINER [Alva]: I'll send the first file over now! It's a little big for wireless, so I stripped out the videos!

DIVINER [Alva]: [HZDorientation_packet.pdf]

OVERSEER [Bohai]: It came through. I will begin reviewing it shortly.

DIVINER [Alva]: Okay!

----

OVERSEER [Bohai]: The truth about Faro alone would cause ripples, I hope you realize.

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, sir.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Though I suppose the Living Ancestor was right. By the end, the Ceo was acting like Faro.

----

OVERSEER [Bohai]: A clone?

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, sir.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: You are certain?

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, sir.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: If this turns out to be leading into Evangelion I will be quite upset.

DIVINER [Alva]: Sorry, but I never got into Eva! Aren't we missing like half the episodes??

OVERSEER [Bohai]: No, we have them all, none of you understand complex storytelling.

----

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Hm, I am curious about this "Sylens" character. Why did he never come to us?

DIVINER [Alva]: Well, we were across the ocean, and ever since we got here we were... less than hospitable?

DIVINER [Alva]: Actually, I thought he might be a Diviner!

OVERSEER [Bohai]: If he is, I have never heard of him. Do you have an image?

DIVINER [Alva]: Yes, Aloy gave me one of her better stills.

DIVINER [Alva]: [JerkFace.png]

OVERSEER [Bohai]: No, I do not recognize him. As loath as I am to admit it, he seems to have discovered all this on his own. How frustrating.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Regardless, you have given me much to think upon. Please forward to me anything you suspect to be important, especially agricultural data.

DIVINER [Alva]: Oh! I did find one thing that I think the Imperial Family might find interesting! My friend Erend told me about it!

DIVINER [Alva]: [MetalVsMeatTrailer.mp9]

OVERSEER [Bohai]: ...that might be the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.

DIVINER [Alva]: Oh.

DIVINER [Alva]: Sorry.

OVERSEER [Bohai]: No, you're right, the Imperial Family will certainly find it interesting.

DIVINER [Alva]: Yay!

DIVINER [Alva]: …

DIVINER [Alva]: Um, are you going to steal the credit?

OVERSEER [Bohai]: Oh, yes.

DIVINER [Alva]: [Pout.gif]

Chapter 18 | Prev chapter | Next chapter Chapter Index

[vyragosa]

⚡ He came to believe the formulae and theories could never deduce human emotions.

⛓ He lost everything when he immersed himself in Rashomon. Was it all worth it?

TLDR: the free prisoner and the imprisoned warden

context-> 4vs1 game based on dead by daylight = lore known through specific characters quests unlocking sentences describing their past in the form of a personal journal

in-lore context-> INCREDIBLY NEBULOUS STILL 5 YEARS AFTER=> overarching plot intertwining all the characters released in what are essentially death games in a manor playground for psychological manipulation and experimentations drugging participants and having them experience hallucinations (it's real), largely irrevelant right now to blorbos as their past is the point of contention (and used against them 😘), but the lore is MOSTLY lies and trickeries from the participants, which is, hard to swallow for people. evidently the interesting part

=> characters often inspired by historical figures of all sorts

=> tesla vs edison but the twist, is that neither are lying nor telling the truth, pure raw miscommunication from mentor and student, interplay of personalities, edison's scheming and tesla's earnestness, exhibiting traits of their counterpart inspiration

=> two men suffering from the same man's actions and carrying a legacy of violence and lies by omission through it

^ the pivotal event pre-"manor" v what they look like within the context of the Game/Manor post-accident

=> Alva Lorenz = Thomas Alva Edison + Hendrik Antoon Lorentz ( Lorentz Symmetry <-important) => Luca Balsa = inspired by Nikola Tesla ( now for...his father, Herman Balsa, intentionally inspired by Pieter Zeeman, with whom Lorentz shared a nobel prize in 1902 for the discovery and theoretical explanation of the Zeeman effect (<-important) )

actual backstory time . .. . .a story full of unsaid and lack of clarity

alva and herman used to work together on a perpetual motion machine, born from the sketches of herman's idealism, they used to study together and were paired together so that alva would be the "stoic" able to temper such especially when it came to dangerosity, unfortunately, that man disappeared with all the funds, on top of all his family's money, for years, continuing to pay the fee for alva to work without ever sending a letter, alva considered that man a friend despite not even knowing....he had a family he abandonned for the sake of this machine. his wife committing suicide from heartbreak, alva went against his process and deemed it too dangerous, applying safeguards, which was met with herman's ire and calling him a betrayer, the resulting....being an explosion in which herman died,

alva attempts to seal away the documents, but is coaxed into displaying the prototype at an exhibition, the exhibition has him feel the Presence of that man . . .. ..his very son himself standing in front of it, talking passionately, sending him a letter after the chance encounter passionately asking to work under his tutelage on the machine, wishing to be known as the same kind of prodigy inventor as alva is, Lorenz Jr. ,(which, instead of understanding it as inventors and their talented student, most people believe it to be father-son...)

an auction had taken place in the past where alva bought out herman's sketches after his death. you could largely interpret it as sealing away the damned machine, stopping anyone else from working on it

he let luca work on it.

this prodigy student then proceeded to go through all of alva's documents and upon finding his father's sketches, condemned him as a man who would steal and take the spotlight for himself alone, a scammer through-and-through (edison reference) to which, he confronted alva by i suppose. simply shoving him against a bookshelf and electrocuting him, starting a fire. what a good boy.

"i didn't get my answer, even as the current struck his brain."

he gets sent to prison evidently for the death of the famous inventor, apparently has to pay alva's widow a large sum of money (which i deem unclear because she was never mentionned before his actual death?) ALVA GETS RESSURECTED BY AN OBVIOUS SCHROEDINGER CAT CULT, HE BECOMES A PREACHER TO THIS FAITH OF "truth in darkness." meanwhile luca gets, SOMEHOW PARDONED FROM NEARLY HANGED, and is Invited to the manor to find the truth.....while having never stopped wishing to complete the perpetual motion machine.

NOW FOR MY INTERPRETATION I WILL MAKE IT QUICK

even in the story for costumes, it's about luca not letting alva speak himself, alva's issue is largely unwillingness to defend himself against lies. it's written explicitely in his diary, so he just lets luca, imagine, go against him, in this sort of, mentor wanting his student to prove himself and being reluctant to contradict out loud, alva gets fucked over every single. time. and he takes it.

guilt from both parties, shame from both parties, mentor x student,

the prisoner is the one free and the warden is the one imprisoned, that's explicitely their story put in the idea of costumes too, it's insane papli. it's insane.

despite all of this? alva is shown to be happy to find luca a christmas gift. whatever!. whatever.

[meg-noel-art]

Horizon Ask Game

Thanks for the tag @inomakani and @nerd-artist

1.) ride or die ship (your otp): Absolutely Aloy x Talanah! Been going strong on that ship for a couple years now! Fingers still crossed for them having their romantic shot in game 3.

2.) most annoying ship: This one actually misspelled shipper* and it’s me!

3.) second favorite ship: Alva x Aloy. I can understand why people prefer not to ship characters in established relationships, like regarding Federa - but imo fandom is a sandbox for a reason and these two have AWESOME chemistry and are so cute ;;;

4.) favorite platonic relationship: I think Beta and Erend and/or Kotallo would be really cute to see develop in the future of the series. Two strong and safe lads to help her navigate the world!

5.) underrated ship: Beta x Milu nation rise!! ;;; They may hold hands and be back home before 9pm

6.) overrated ship: No such thing! If you ship it and enjoy it and it brings you joy that’s all that matters!

7.) One thing I would change in canon: Unfortunately, lots. The writing of the series has taken a hit after HZD in my opinion. Varl’s death sticks out to me the most, entirely unnecessary shock value addition to the story. 

8.) something canon did right: Making Aloy queer explicitly within the text!

9.) A thing I’m proud of creating for the fandom: Any of the art I have tagged on here I’m proud of, but I’m also SUPER excited to be a part of the visual novel me and many other passionate fandom members are working on! You can follow the blog for updates and WIPS! FOCUS ON THE HEART

10.) A character who is perfect to me (wouldn’t change a thing): Milu - I love her, I want to see her grow up strong and happy ;;;

11.) The character I relate to the most and why: I’d like to say Aloy -- but probably just Beta because I actually have a lot of anxiety at all times and worry what others think of me ;;;

12.) Character(-s) I hate the most and why: Most characters I dislike are written to be disliked, so that’s probably a success!

13.) something I’ve learned from the fandom: we are stronger for our differences <3 (also tag teaming off Ino that critique and discussion should coexist alongside our enjoyment of media)

14.) three tags I seek out on ao3: aloy/talanah, Lis lives, alt universe

15.) A song I strongly associate with my otp/favorite character: For Hawk and Thrush, ‘Haven’.

Tagging: I’ve seen so many of my friends do it, so ignore me if I tagged you or pretend I tagged you if I didn’t! @sonekrie @novastellaris @tjerra14 @loumauve @finrays @maybirdie @sorbetowl @witheringfears

[chibsandchill]

Effervescent

Fandom:

Avatar (2009)

Pairing:

Tsu'tey x OC

Summary:

A year before The War, Alva is finally sent on the next available transport to Pandora. This is her journey as lies become truth, and truth become lies.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Back to the Masterlist

[coolcattime]

Mot Screziato, Alyssa Screziato, Spark Conway all have last names. Screziato connects Mot and Alyssa to one another, Conway which not only connects Spark to his family now (Martha, Andor, Alva, Helgrind) but to wherever he had been from before. But Jeriah is just Jeriah. No connection other than his title.

Oh this is such an interesting thing to think about because not only do Mot, Alyssa, and Spark had last names - I think there's an argument to be made that family is the most important thing to Spark and Mot.

With Mot I think it's clear that Alyssa is the most important person in his life, even beyond Dianite. Like I don't even think there's a question about that. His family is as small as it could possibly be but Mot would be dead before anything bad happened to Alyssa. He brought her to the new world with him, because there was no way he was losing anyone else.

Spark's connection to his family is different, though I still think they're incredibly important to him. Leaving them weighed heavily on him, learning that most of them died hurt more than anything. The Conway name is a heavy one from his descendants, something almost as impossible to live upto as being descended from Ianite, but they still carry it and Spark's legacy carries on until the end of Ruxomar.

So why doesn't Jeriah have a last name? Thematically Jeriah doesn't have any family, which itself is an odd trait for a Season Two character (I think Gaines is the only other real character to have no family at all, though correct me if I'm wrong), though technically a general would go by their last name. Given that he doesn't, maybe his blood knights were a family of sorts to him, but they aren't around anymore so who would actually know. I think, personally, Jeriah goes only by his first name as a tiny bit of a fuck you to his time in Mianite's army, because he's a person, he's not a thing to be controlled or owned or ordered. Heck, maybe he had a last name that he completely dropped as part of his loophole out of Mianite's contract or just to cut off that part of his life.

But I also think I lied a bit because Jeriah does have a family, he just doesn't keep their last name. Mot might fain annoyance and namecall, but he trusts the man to help raise Alyssa which is certainly not something the man would trust most people to do. And perhaps there was something missed decades ago with Spark, back when their life's split across different paths that neither would erase even given the chance, but you don't spend a decade with a man that you don't have a bond with - who knows what that bond is, but it might as well be family. And I think as the group grows, Jeriah's family does. Though if he actually notices? Probably not until something threatens them, but that doesn't mean that they don't notice.

[cicadaknight]

tag game (horizon)

tagged by @artekai 💕🤝💖 thanks, pal!

1. ride or die ship: fashav/kotallo straight to my grave. mythological tragedies, those two, i tell you what.

2. most annoying ship: the boat aloy takes to san francisco. can you imagine, never rowing before in your life and making that trek through choppy currents and storms? insufferable.

3. second favorite ship: aloy/kotallo. the parallels of aloy and kotallo being forced into roles they never wanted, being alone and outcast from their tribes, moving through their grief and rage by learning to trust a new found family? being seen by another for more than their physical prowess but their humanity and creativity? excellent shit.

4. favorite platonic relationship: SYLENS AND BETA AND GAIA. Sylens getting taken down a fucking peg or two by a teenage girl and an infinitely compassionate AI. Beta being able to collaborate with someone (and an AI) who sees well beyond her mistakes and faults. GAIA finding consistent, complex companions who remind her fondly of Lis. Sylens making Beta food and teaching her how to cook. HELP ME.

5. Underrated ship: So many. I really love Aloy/Drakka. The idea of him being such a counter to Aloy’s single-minded focus on saving the world by being an absolute goober. But her seeing that he cares so very deeply about doing the right thing and protecting his people. Alva/Beta is sweet. I dig Erend/Talanah.

6. overrated ship: the odyssey. just kidding, i already made a joke about a boat.

7. one thing i would change in canon: the entire last act? specifically varl’s death, that kotallo doesn’t fly to the grove with aloy, that aloy ends the entire tenakth/regalla conflict via single combat duel, and then fights alone twice more with erik and tilda. RIP all the build up to aloy understanding that she’s not alone and all the people in her life are as competent and complex and have just as much stake in the fate of the world as she does. and beyond that, i deeply regret the way they wrote talanah in hfw. she shoulda had that fourth bunk in the base.

8. something canon did right: don’t get me wrong, i wish fashav hadn’t died at barren light, but i love his back story and everything we find out through his journals. added so much nuance to carja and tenakth cultures and characters in just a handful of paragraphs.

9. a thing i’m proud of creating for the fandom: i’ve been in a perpetual state of burnout for yeeeeeears. this kotallo portrait was the first piece i’ve drawn in ages. i’m also working on a bookbinding project and doing art for Kotallo with amazing folks on Focus on the Heart.

10. a character who is perfect to me: Hekarro. I hope the writers, animators, and actor who made him come to life are very proud of their work.

11. character i relate to most and why: uhhh like every other neurodivergent queer with trauma and parental issues, i gotta go with beta.

12. character(s) i hate most and why: tekkoteh. absolute steaming pile of shit. genuinely every time i think i’ve reached peak hatred for that slime, someone writes a beautiful fic where i find myself despising him more. in my interpretation, there’s no world where he didn’t take advantage of, manipulate, and abuse kotallo after his parents died.

13. something i’ve learned from the fandom: awww this is cheesy, but i learned how to take a chance and post things i make again. most people are so curious and so excited to discuss lore or characters in good faith. oh, recently i did discover i missed MANY post-mission dialogues for side quests on my first few playthroughs.

14. three tags i seek out on ao3: i’m guaranteed to get drawn into anything re: kotallo and fashav’s early marshal days, lis character development, aloy/kotallo hurt/comfort (sue me)

15. a song i associate strongly with my otp/favorite character: i made this playlist based off this fic. it’s basicallg my score for fashav and kotallo falling in love during their marshal duties. instants by skúli sverrisson and anything by hermanos gutiérrez sends me into pondering fashav and kotallo’s lives together.

i’m gonna tag @poulticepurse @fogsblue @rowanisawriter @ayaitch @robo-dino-puppy if y’all wanna do this?

[wildcmbcrsupdates]

klubbnymf: Tack @jeanericajeans för tröjorna 🩷🤍🩷🤍🩷🤍 Vi ses ikväll!!!!

Alva Bratt, DJ Suzy, Doris Daga, Elsa Levahn, Elvira Anderfjärd, Esther, Hannah-Li Säfstenvia, Klara Keller, Tove Burman and Wilma Wall via klubbnymf on Instagram, 04/17/2024.

[deny-the-issue]

As Above So Below

Chapter Seven: Transformation

Previous Chapter, Next Chapter

As Above So Below Masterlist

Summary: After your daring escape from the lab, you begin to heal as the plan to eradicate the flowers is put in motion.

Thank you to the lovely @juniper-sunny for beta reading and helping with the summary! <3

This is a new chapter!!! Yes, I completely redid it, sorry for the switcheroo! It ends in the same place but the path to get there is different <3

Chapter 8 will be posted this Monday!!! So prepare yourself for the dirty dirty smut 😈

AO3 Link

Ko-fi Link

Taglist: @arcaneincorrectquotess, @lazycondensedmilk, @zauns-eye, @crunchlite, @alva-dore, @roxannadanna831, @astudyincontrasts, @mmartos, @ilikemymendarkandfictional, @juniper-sunny, @roxnpens, @a-gal-with-taste, @artwithvivien, @leave-me-alone-doctor

[Hurt/Comfort] [Explicit Language] [Demon!Silco] [Silco x reader] [silco x fem!reader] [light gore]

Opening your eyes takes effort, and moving your body is damn near impossible. Eyelids fluttering, you come back to consciousness focusing on the grey stone in front of you. A couple of deep breaths later, you’re aware enough to know you’re taking shelter within an archway, and another second or two passes before the delayed alarm bells start ringing.

The memory of the lab and subsequent chase flash before your weary eyes, prompting you to stumble to your feet. Leaning on the wall, you listen past your panting for footsteps. Silence. Your shoulders sag in relief; by some miracle, you made it out of that cave alive. Who knew your restless walks would be so helpful? 

Come on, body, if you got through that, you can at least stagger home.

Dragging yourself along the wall for support, you manage a few steps before you hear a strange echo. Your feet stop as you listen, calling yourself silly until the telltale sounds of heavy footsteps ricochet off the buildings.

Fuck.

There’s no way you’d risk the beast following you home - where else can you go? Somewhere close, think, dammit. The memorial and Silco’s lodging aren’t far. Would he even be there at this time of day? 

You don’t have a choice, not with your waning health. No, with each breath feeling like it brings you closer to unconsciousness, Silco is your only hope. Heart pounding as the portents of your doom grow ever nearer, you conserve the rest of your energy and quietly limp toward salvation.  

Rain begins drizzling down, hiding the noise of your shuffling feet under a blanket of white noise. You lean against a wall, tired feet slipping against the wet stone while the courtyard lies before you. The door to safety is within sight, yet your feet remain frozen, unwilling to trudge into the open space. Worse still, the monstrous footsteps have also faded into the rain.

This must be what prey feel like running through a clearing, you think. Gripping the wall so hard your nails scrape against the rough wood, you push off with the last of your adrenaline coursing through your veins. 

You meant to run, but in truth, you’re flailing, stumbling, and barely walking in a straight line. You slam into the thick wooden door gracelessly, fumbling over the iron handle with shaking hands. Frustrated, you slam your fists into the stubborn door with a whimper as heavy footsteps emerge from behind you, slowing just a few feet away. 

Hands slide down the frame and your head hangs in defeat, awaiting your end with not even the will to stare the offender in the face. The sound of the rain is amplified as the seconds of your life tick by, slowed so much you can almost count the droplets. 

A shrill yip leaves your mouth as you feel something gently touch your shoulder, startling you enough to whip around and face your attacker. The motion blurs your vision, and your legs buckle. Your hands reach out for the door, the wall, or anything that would prevent you from the inevitable fall. 

All you grasp are the pins and needles overwhelming every other sensation as the void claims your vision, its shadowy tendrils slowly taking your mind with it. Just before you fade away completely, a comforting heat embraces you accompanied by a familiar scent.

Death feels… peaceful…

Your dry hair falling away from your face tickles you awake. Without opening your eyes, you raise a soothing hand, hitting something just inches from your neck. Unfocused eyes fly open as you cry out and roll away defensively. Now very much awake and completely tangled in a blanket, your eyes focus to see Silco. 

His good eye is wide, just as stunned as yours with an intensity that makes you uncomfortable. Hugging the blanket to your frame, you cautiously take in your surroundings, anything to avoid more eye contact. The room is bare except for a large, ornate wardrobe and equally classy standing mirror, each in the old Iron and Glass style that pervaded the undercity in its cultural heyday. Light filters in from a window behind you, illuminating the room with brilliant, although dusty, rays of sunshine. You’re sitting on a mattress pushed against the back wall, with no boxspring or frame in sight. On the bed, however, is a nest of soft blankets, decadent to the touch, and even more delightful against…

Heat floods your face, coloring it a cherry red at the feel of the luxurious plush fabric against your bare skin. 

“Where are my clothes?!” you snap at Silco, shrill panic tinting your voice. 

“You mean those tattered, blood-stained rags?” he inquires innocently before sheepishly looking away as he elaborates. “I removed them to see the extent of your injuries, no more.”

You breathe a sigh of relief, now feeling a tinge of guilt. 

“I’m sorry.”

“Don't be; you have every right to be suspicious. It is your body and should be respected.”

Oh. 

A confusing amount of emotion swirls in your stomach, rendering you silent as your brain stumbles over the simple yet powerful statement. 

“Your cuts are mostly superficial, but we should still clean them,” he suggests quietly, and only then do you see the first aid supplies in his hands. 

“Y-yeah,” you stutter, agreeing without thinking. 

Silco kneels on the bed, placing the items beside him. He pauses, looking at you expectantly, but your mind has long since stopped working. You wait patiently for whatever comes next, flashing him a small smile of reassurance. 

His lips part at the sight of your smile, and - is that color in his unmarred cheek?

He reaches toward you, and your breath stills. A clawed finger hooks under the blanket and gently pulls it away from your chest.

The movement awakens your insecurity, and you rip the covers from his hand defiantly.

“S-sorry! I just, uh, didn’t know what ‘cleaning’ meant. I should shower anyway…” You trail off, embarrassed.

“I agree,” he pauses as you shoot him a dirty look, “But there is no running water.”

Clasping your knees to your chest, you lean your head on your knee and sigh. “I guess I’ll have to go home, then.”

Silco groans, but when you look, he has that lopsided smirk you like so much.

“You’ll need clothes,” he volunteers, rising from the bed.

In two long strides, he stands beside the wardrobe, opening it to retrieve a black silk robe. He lets the rich fabric pool onto the bed beside you and turns to leave.

“Wait a sec! I’m supposed to walk home in just a thin robe?!”

“You won’t be walking,” he replies with a glimmer in his eye. 

The door shuts with a soft click behind him, too quick for your retort. 

What kind of mysterious bullshit is he up to?

And what is this warm, tingly feeling?

Sighing, you untangle yourself from the blanket and observe a myriad of cuts, scrapes, and bruises all over your body. Your puffy, purple ankle is the worst of them, and you hiss as your fingers lightly graze over the joint. 

That doesn’t look good.

Searching the room, you spy your boots and phone by the door. The screen is cracked and the battery is dead. With a heavy limp, you bring them to the bed and drop the phone into the robe’s pocket as you sit.

The boots should be a good enough splint for now. You scoot to the edge of the bed, careful not to move your hurt ankle. In a display that an athlete would cringe at, you wobble to stand on one foot and hop over to the wardrobe, opening one of the lower drawers in search of socks. You take a fresh pair from the top, uncovering something shiny.

Removing more reveals a large ornate blade with a filigree handle and a strange red-tinted leather sheath. You reach out, strangely tempted to take it. 

You’ve never had so many urges to steal shit before. Is the verge of thirty too young for a mid-life crisis?

As soon as you graze the supple leather with greedy fingers, you gasp and swiftly withdraw your hand. 

It was warm! Just like… Just like the book in my closet…

Shaking your head, you focus on delicately sliding the sock onto your injured foot. 

It’s not my business why a demon hides a knife in his sock drawer. I mean, isn’t that kind of expected?

The pain of shoving your swollen ankle into your boot successfully pushes the knife from your mind, and by the time the cool silk robe envelopes your tattered body, it’s almost as good as forgotten. 

You spare the drawer one last glance before smoothing back your tangled hair, double-checking the robe’s knot, and limping out of the room. 

Silco’s waiting, leaning against a wall just a few feet from the open door, eyeing your boots judgmentally. 

“If you didn’t want me wearing my boots, clean your floors, Silco. They’re so dusty.” 

“You’re hardly in a position to talk about cleanliness.”

You scoff, feigning impertinence before cracking a smile. 

“Now, if you’re ready?” He asks, stepping toward you with outstretched arms. 

You back away, confused, and he stops his advance. 

“You’re hardly in a state to navigate stairs,” he turns side-face and nods toward the rickety stairway. 

Biting your lip as you debate the situation, you begrudgingly agree to be carried, arms instinctually flying around his neck the moment his arm hooks under your knees. 

When your eyes meet, faces mere inches apart, you feel none of the brazen lust that accompanied your kiss the other night, but a blooming warmth in your chest. Looking away to hide the blush painting your face, you desperately try to think of anything but the situation at hand. 

The lab? No. My injuries? Nuh-uh. The monster? 

“Is it safe?” You blurt out, realizing he may have no idea what you’re asking. 

“I killed the man chasing you,” he replies bluntly, voice laced with aggression. 

You mutter a thank-you, suddenly bashful for bringing a monster to a demon’s doorstep, uninvited.

“It is curious,” he begins in a menacing but playful tone, “I never took you for a fainting damsel-in-distress.”

Eyes wide, mouth agape, heat rushes to your face.

“Hey! That was–I thought–” You stutter, ending the fragment with a frustrated huff. “Put me down. I changed my mind.” 

He takes the first step down the creaky wooden stairs, forcing you to see the height of your potential fall. Your hands fist the fabric at his shoulders, turning your torso away from the stairs as if that would help your cause. 

Silco sniffs, but the twitch in his chest gives away the stifled laugh. You take your eyes off the slowly approaching ground floor to shoot him an irate look, but your pout doesn’t last long; how can it when you’re chest to chest, hell, almost nose-to-nose?

“You were saying?” he taunts, eyes full of mischief.

Your mouth snaps shut, and you sigh, leaning your head against his chest in a show of submission. He hums, and the low vibrations sound so soothing with your ear to his chest that your eyes start to flutter close, annoyance melting away.

His boots hit the bottom of the stairs, and you lift your head. Ahead of you is the glass vestibule, light beaming down through the ceiling elegantly, lighting the dingy surroundings. There are remnants of a front desk with shelving behind it, indicating its past as a shop of some kind. Among the other furniture, only a chair and a table remain intact and upright, no doubt by Silco himself. 

When he steps out from the shade of the narrow hallway, your eyes clench shut, and you bury your face in the crook of his neck with an exaggerated hiss. 

“These are the clear skies you wanted,” he grumbles.

You crack an eye to sass him when you see a plain black eyepatch covering his demonic eye. It makes sense that his exposed eye would be light-sensitive, but his teal eye is also half-closed, tense, and watery. 

“We need to get you some sunglasses,” you comment, trying to imagine frames on him. 

“Absolutely not,” he sneers, and you can’t help but laugh at his vehement dislike.

He walks straight past the table to the door, deftly opening it without shifting you an inch. 

“Wait, you’re not carrying me the whole way!” you protest and try to push away from him with hands on his chest. 

His arms hold you ever firmer, rendering your display completely useless. 

“Are you going to be difficult?” he stops walking to give you a stern glare. 

You shrug and nod. Faint demonic markings appear on his face accompanied by thick shadows pouring from his opening mouth, causing you to panic.

You didn’t think simple honesty was enough to incur his wrath, but he is a demon. 

“SLEEP.” 

The word bounces around your skull, drooping your eyelids and relaxing your muscles. Your body slumps against Silco, boneless, forehead resting against his neck as the gentle sway of his gait carries you the rest of the way to unconsciousness. 

You stir, nuzzling into Silco as you wake until your eyes open, and stubbornness returns. 

“How dare you-” Silco lowering your feet to the floor stops you from scolding him further, especially with how delicately he does it. 

“Never put me to sleep again!” you command, stance crumbling after a few seconds. “Unless I ask you to.”

You cross your arms and hold your head high, but your confidence wanes as you become aware of your surroundings. This is your room. Your bedroom. Silco is in your bedroom. 

Taking a deep breath that puffs out your cheeks on the exhale, you awkwardly shuffle toward the bathroom, trying your best not to limp in front of him.

“I’ll just, uh, take that shower now.” You close the door harder than you mean and sag against it, thankful to be alone. 

He knows where I live?!

He knows where I live!

…

How does he know where I live?

Is this… ok? Are you safe with him? He certainly makes it easy to feel safe. It’s too late to worry about it now, that’s for sure. 

You sigh and hop to the shower on your good leg, sitting on the rim as you turn on the water and pull the valve. The mist chills your skin as you unlace your boots, cooling the angry joint growing hot with pain. You haven’t even pulled your foot out and your skin is breaking out in sweat. 

Holding your breath and gritting your teeth, you yank the boot off as fast as possible, freeing your damaged ankle. Pain jolts through you, and you grip the tub rim so hard it feels like you’ll break a nail. When it fades into a dull ache, you stand on one foot again. The robe slides off your shoulders easily, and you catch it before it hits the ground, hanging it up. 

Your fingers linger on the fabric as they pull away and a small smile dances across your features. Even if it were made of cheaper material, it would still be too precious to leave on the floor. 

You kept your shower short and sweet, only doing the bare necessities so you could rest. In truth, you spent more time sitting on the tub’s edge, lost in thought. 

The loud rumble from your stomach pulls you out of it. You wrap a towel around your body, tucking the end to hold it up, and cautiously open the door. The smell of food goes straight to your stomach, and your mouth begins to water at the scent. It almost distracts you from Silco sitting on your bed, legs splayed, leaning back onto the bed supported by his elbows. He looks positively bored. 

“I’m relieved to see you don’t need another rescue,” he taunts as he sits upright. 

“I’m starting to think you like it,” you smile, but it doesn’t reach your eyes. 

“Come, sit,” he pats the space next to him on the bed, giving you a stern look as if he knows of the pain you’re hiding. 

You limp to the bed and plop down, the slump in the mattress making you slip toward Silco. Just before your thighs touch, he rises and walks to the bathroom.

“Do you have disinfectant?” he asks, only as a formality while he rummages through your medicine cabinet.

He finds a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and some gauze before you can answer. Pouring some onto a strip of gauze, he kneels before you and attempts to dab at a cut on your arm. You pull away, blushing profusely. “I think I can manage these,” you say, taking it from his hands. 

He nods and prepares another cloth, turning his gaze now to your purpled ankle. 

“This is going to hurt,” his words are coarse but his touch is feather-light as he cleans the scraps adorning your ankle. 

No matter how gentle, the contact makes you grimace, and you shut your eyes against the prospect of more pain. 

“I could try to heal it.”

You look at Silco at first with confusion, and then slight irritation. “And you didn’t mention this earlier, why?!”

“It’s an… untested method.”

“Well, what do you, you know, have to do?” you ask, uncertainty tainting your voice.

“Blood magic.”

“Oh! I’ve always wanted to try that.” His scowl begs you to continue, “You know, get four friends together around a pentagram for funsies.”

“Blood magic is dangerous,” Silco growls.

You lean back onto the bed and shrug, “Eh, it would probably end in dismemberment, anyway.”

“How do you know that?” His eyes narrow with suspicion. 

“I like slasher movies,” you lie as easily as you breathe, smiling at his stoic confusion as he pretends to know what you’re talking about.

 “Do you consent?” his question bites as his patience wears thin.

You make a show of shimmying to the edge of the bed and sitting at attention, smiling down at him devilishly. “Why, yes! I consent, Dr. Silco.” 

He silently brings a thumb to his mouth and presses it against his sharp canines, puncturing his skin. 

“I’m not going to get some demon blood disease from this, right?” you ask, completely serious.

Your question is met with a roll of his eyes before he presses his bloodied phalange against the open cuts on your ankle.

Just as you start to relate to the boy who cried wolf, your attention turns to the strange, numbing sensation bleeding into your inflamed joint. A faint red glow creeps from the point of contact, ethereal and pulsing to the rhythm of your heartbeat. The dancing lights pull you into a trance, lulling you into a false sense of security. 

Silco’s face contorts with tense concentration, grip tightening painfully around your ankle. What feels like thorny vines snake through your veins and as your posture goes rigid, you let loose a shrill scream as a series of sickening pops rips through your body. 

He releases his grip and cups your face, rubbing soothing circles into your jaw as you come back from the haze of agony, panting and covered in sweat. You blink lazily, slowly focusing on Silco’s worried face. 

“What’s the verdict, doc? Will I live?”

He drops his tender hold with a scoff and skulks toward the hall, stopping just before. “Eat and rest. The shop can wait until you’re healed and this flower problem is eliminated.”

“You’re leaving?” you shout after him, hearing his footsteps fleeing down the stairs. 

You feel the front door shutter close through the house and your heart, extinguishing what little warmth this old home has to offer. Sighing, you scoot to the side of the bed to test your demon-touched ankle. The cuts have completely healed, yet a little inflammation remains in the joint, and purple bruises turned yellow/green, well on the mend. 

Dull pain and soreness linger, causing you to favor your other leg as you pull a nightshirt from your dresser. The towel drops to the floor, forgotten when you pull the dingy fabric over your head and drop back onto the bed. You snatch the bag of food and spy the familiar business card on your nightstand before diving your hand in and pulling out a burger amongst a load of loose fries. 

The burger barely touches your tongue with how fast you eat it, and in truth, you’re grateful Silco left before he could witness such savagery. Laying back onto the bed, you rub your stomach idly as you reflect on the whirlwind of a week you’ve had. Two days, to be precise, but that’s all it takes. 

Oh shit, I have work! 

You snort, breaking out in unhinged laughter. 

As if that matters right now. 

You’ve never been a hard worker by choice, so why start now? Your eyes start to close, peace washing over you as the scent of Silco lingers in your room.  

Maybe I’ll have sweet dreams….

You wake to scattered morning rays filtering through your window feeling restored, save for a slight weakening soreness in your ankle. 

What do you know, blood magic is fun. 

A smile graces your face as you ready for the day, starting by binding your ankle. You hear Silco’s voice in the back of your head yelling at you to rest, but you brush him off. 

I can rest after Ekko hears what I have to say.

You pack an old backpack with a few survival items and set off, eager to get this over with. It never gets any easier to be around the old man; there’s no hiding around him. He always knows what you’re thinking before you do.

It’s downright uncanny.

A shiver runs down your spine as you come to the usual tunnel entrance and see Grim tagging a wall beside it. You clear your throat loudly and Grim drops the paint can as he turns around in a panic. You smile, amused by his clumsy reaction. 

“Your lines could use some work,” you point to the crudely drawn eye in glistening neon green paint.

“Yeah, well, your face could use some work!” he sneers, snatching the can from the ground as if it offended him.  

You laugh off his frankly hilarious insult and ask, “What are you doing here, kid?”

“Waiting for you, obviously,” he answers with a roll of his eyes and retrieves a heavy backpack leaning against the wall, slinging it over his thin shoulders. 

“Orders from Ekko?” you ask, narrowing your eyes knowingly.

“He won’t let me help in the tunnels,” he grumbles, stepping away from the entrance and turning down an alley.

You walk beside him and shrug, “‘Wisdom in years’ or somethin’ like that.”

“Whatever,” he sulks, intent on leading the way in silence.

“You know, speaking of; you should really carry around a lighter bag or you’re going to have the posture of a goblin.”

“Like you?”

You push out your chest, cracking your upper back loudly, and nod gravely. The horrified look on his face breaks your know-it-all expression with genuine laughter.

“I hope I can still laugh like that at your age,” he’s laughing by the end, spurred on by your delightful surprise at his witty insult.  

As the amusement fades, you shake your head in thought. “You’re too smart for your own good, kid. Never let anyone stop that.”

He shrugs you off but you can see the small grin on his face, and you mirror it. 

“So what happened? You look like you’ve been in a fight.”

“I could tell you, but are you sure you can handle a tale of demons and monsters?”

“Whatever, keep your secrets. The real monsters are men, blah blah blah, I’m not some gullible kid.”

Pursing your lips, you hold back the urge to tell him differently and stay silent to preserve his innocence. He’s right to be afraid of other people, and he’s in no danger of the actual monsters of the undercity. The rest of the way was spent in comfortable silence, and you can’t help but wonder.

Maybe kids aren’t so bad.

You arrive at the tree, and when Grim spots Ekko he points to you and shouts. “HEY! Found this in the gutter!”

Never mind, what a little shit.

Grim runs off as you near a laughing Ekko, and you shake your head in disbelief. 

“Someone needs to teach him manners,” you chastise with a smile. 

“Maybe you can if you stick around,” his words cut but his eyes were kind, “Look at the state of you! I hope you found something useful.”

“I had an interesting conversation with someone who researched the flowers, to say the least,” you pause to gather your thoughts, “He said an airtight barrier would prevent the spread of the flowers. Also, the pollen, or spores, won’t germinate if it’s cut off from the source.”

“Sounds like a damn weapon!” he shakes his head and frowns, “Do you trust him?”

“I trust his observations.”

Ekko nods and takes a moment to digest the information, leaving you to wring your hands like a nervous child. The information sounds so flimsy put like that; why should he believe you? 

He claps a hand on your shoulders, startling you from your insecurity, and leads you to a large room. The room is cluttered with papers, drawings, and newspapers, and at the center is a table covered with a map of the entire tunnel system of the undercity. Whole systems are colored with a pink highlighter, detailing the extent of the flower’s rot. The seriousness of the situation settles as a knot in your stomach, making you feel guilty for taking as long as you have.

Ekko leaves you and leans on the map table like a ship captain ready to plan out his voyage. 

You suck in the wood-scented air and clasp your hands in front of you, shrugging your shoulders. “If it’s all the same, I’ll be going now.”

“Don’t you want to see if it works?” he eyes you suspiciously, eyes landing on the faded cuts and bruises on your face and neck.

“Sure I do,” you begin defensively.

“Then sit your ass down!” he orders you like a parent would, offering a seat at the table. “And you can tell me the truth about this researcher.”

You shouldn’t. You know you shouldn’t. And yet your feet carry you to the chair anyway, and the tale spills from your mouth easily, as if talking to an old friend. 

Next Chapter

[thomasmartinnutt]

Chance Encounters #006

Sarah Rahman, Robert Creeley, Cosmos, Alva Noto & Bryce Dessner, Jana Winderen, Alessandro Bosetti & Annette Krebs, Mathew Herbert and London Contemporary Orchestra feat. Jali Bakary Koneth, Langham Research Centre, David Tudor, Linda Buckley, Laria Ó Lionáird & Crash Ensemble, Benedict Drew, Yara Asmar feat. Majd Chidiac, Lia Kohl, Civilistjävel! feat. Cucina Povera, Flora Yin-Wong, Daniel Bachman, Ernst Karel, Chantal Michelle, Janet Cardiff, Ljerke, Michael Snow, Li Yilei, Gentle Fire, More Eaze, Vladimir Ussachevsky

[mr-jaybird]

Aloy, Elisabet, and Beta are all back at base, preparing for their mission to GEMINI to take on HEPHAESTUS.

Elisabet is glad of the sunshine as she, Aloy, and Alva journey back to the base after retrieving Omega Clearance, the warm weather helping chase off the chill of all she learned at Thebes. During the day, Lis can almost forget all the horrible truths they uncovered, though she thinks the sight and sound of the creature Ted had become will haunt her nightmares for months. On the second day of their journey, when they stop for lunch, Alva nervously gets Lis and Aloy’s attention while fiddling with the new Focus Aloy gave her. “When we were in Thebes, I told you I’d fill you in on Ceo if we lived long enough,” she starts. “And we survived! Which is great. So…I guess that means I owe you that explanation.” “That would be nice,” Aloy answers. “I mean, I guess it doesn’t matter anymore, since he’s dead, but that was…pretty weird.” “That’s understating it,” Lis says, and uncomfortably notices how Alva almost squeaks in excitement that she’s joined their conversation. “He thought he was Ted reincarnated.”