despitethenora | Sneck IC inbox

[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.

Oh, good. It does go back to normal?

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start

Re: day 78, after game start