despitethenora | Sneck IC inbox

[ this time the response comes as a ping to her Focus, Beta's location in the meadow.

and true to form she's sitting out by it, adhesive bomb packs sitting in her lap and...humming. her clothes are bloody, burned away in places, and there's just something off about how unconcerned she seems, sitting there. ]

[If Aloy was going to approach with caution, any chance of it is out the window when she notices the clothes. She rushes to her sister, going down on a knee near Beta.]

Beta? Are you okay?

[ the good news is: she makes no move to attack Aloy. in fact, she seems more happy to see her than normal.

the bad news is: those burns in her clothing have a distinct similarity to acid burns Aloy is likely familiar with thanks to her time as a machine hunter. it doesn't paint a good picture.

also, she just doesn't seem to be all there, an odd dazed and empty quality to her gaze. ]

I was tortured, but I'm better now. Do you want to collect heads with me?

Someone got metalbite. . .?

[Aloy’s outfit belies violence as well, but hardly anything as bad - some holes, blood stains, and tears. . . .And she's probably wrapped cloth over her right eye.]

Reaches for her shoulder.]

No, Beta - I’m more worried about you. Was all this from the temple?

Edited (keeping losses straight) 2023-04-03 22:33 (UTC)

[ man why do people keep asking her questions instead of filling out the head requirements with her smh smh ]

It was. It was pretty bad, she wanted to make a show. [ it's said like it's nothing more than a small inconvenience. ] I couldn't get to my Focus to call you. But I'm fine now. It doesn't even hurt anymore.

Because...you revived.

[Aloy'd be annoyed if the roles were reversed and everyone was asking if she's okay. But it's not her so it's okay, right?]

I'm sorry I wasn't there.

Why? I'm fine.

[ she smiles!

it's too empty to be reassuring ]

The things she said were mean, but [ a shrug. ] I'm okay now.

[CONCERNING. Aloy's looking at that smile.

Looks away. Sighs.]

Beta, I argued with Vin. About the game recently.

With Vin? Why?

She wanted me to ask someone to use healing magic for me. But I wasn't ready.

...You should have, you took a lot damage.

I was worked up about - dying. I couldn't just have someone wipe that away.

It's really hard the first time.

[ later, when she's back to normal enough to have a breakdown about the torture and body mutilating, she's going to feel so bad about casual she sounds at a moment like this with Aloy. ]

Don't worry, you get used to it.

[She stiffens a little, with that reaction.]

I don't plan on it.

Well, you're strong, so you probably won't die a lot.

[ another shrug. ]

I'm weak, so I probably will.

Hey. That’s no way to think.

We don’t have magic, or Zenith tech. [Same thing, really.] We have to work, and be clever. That’s why we are strong.

[ perking up!! if it's even possible to get more cheerful than she has been-- ]

We do! So let's put our heads together, and go get someone else's. I already have Nanako's.

You already - ?

For the lists?

I traded him my finger and information about Tilda. My list is already finished, but I need one more head before I'm done with my mission.

...No, if your list is finished, the mission is done.

[ in a 'oh aloy, you're so silly' tone ]

My mission to repay the Snake for bringing me back. I need two heads from people I'm not close to or like. Can't do anything else until I have them.

[Drawing back some.]

That can't be real. You're not thinking straight.

Everyone has to do it when they die outside a game.

[ a hum. ]

I guess you're probably right that I'm not thinking straight, though. Yuki and Jamil were freaking out pretty badly about it. But I feel fine! I'm not scared at all.

[ what's it called when you're emotionally fucked but also aware that you're emotionally fucked up?? ]

Edited 2023-04-04 15:58 (UTC)

So that's why we weren't like...this. In that scenario.

At least you know this is what's happening?

I'd probably be really freaked out otherwise - Oh.

[ like she's realizing something only mildly concerning. ]

...Wow, it's going to be really bad when it goes away.

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Re: day 78, after game start

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