despitethenora | Sneck IC inbox

It might work, if you haven't gotten bored of me yet.

I'll stay away from that. I have the answer I wanted. But... Well, let's get started.

[She goes to a knee in front of Aloy and takes her hand. Gently presses her lips to Aloy's knuckles and lets it linger for a moment, like a chivalrous knight with her lady.

And that's the contact she uses to initiate the heart dive.]

Of course I haven’t.

[She lets Tryse have her hand, a small contentment bleeding off of her at the kiss.

Tryse will find herself in the same room as before, but the holographic mural at the top of the dome is changed, depicting instead: Aloy, armed and armored, standing in front of Airi, one hand subtly gesturing for Airi to stand back and let her handle things. She’s facing down an aloof silver-haired woman in shiny white-and-gold clothing. On the lower level, where a variety of objects have been shelved with candles to light them, there’s something producing much more light.]

Hello, GAIA. What's changed in my love's heart since our last meeting?

[She's pausing to admire that mural. If only the others, if only Claudine, could see Aloy as she got to. And then she moves down, to inspect the shelves she hadn't done last time. Find that light.]

[“Welcome back, Tryse.” The AI’s presentation remains perfectly smooth, no apparent reaction to the specific way Tryse refers to Aloy. “You may find that Aloy’s priorities are more narrowly focused than during your previous visit.”

The lower level is a walkway ringing the dome, with items placed on shelves. Presently:
-A Seeker’s mark.
-The faceplate of a machine, modeled to resemble an antelope.
-An old world trinket, a charm of the globe.
-A blue charm on a necklace.
-A lone, potted flower.
-A headdress, metal and draped with blue wires.
-A carving of a robot pterodactyl.
-A book prominently labeled “Cosmic Frontier,” with additional pages of paper tucked in at the back cover.
-A frog plushie in a witch’s hat. A metal shard has been propped against its tummy, glowing very brightly.
-A bear statue.
-In the dim candlelight, there’s a dark silhouette, positioned as though crawling up onto the walkway from below.]

Take care of Airi first and foremost? Give me a rundown, please.

Also, how did the Elysium Category work?

[She trails her fingers over the shelves, noting each item. She catches herself about to cast a spell on the flower, to freshen it somewhat. The bear, who could that-

She pauses, glancing at the silhouette. She takes the shard in hand and moves towards it, holding her hand up so she can get a good view of this little invader.]

[”Managing Airi’s recovery and protection are indeed the first priority. Several activities that are nominally practical, but incidentally pleasurable, are active. These include exercise with Airi and Adora, and engaging in games that encourage tactical thinking with Airi and Crow.”

Just touching the shard offers a heavy dose of emotions: trust, admiration, amusement. Almost a reliance.

The shard’s light illuminates the figure as Tryse moves in: a pillow-sized alligator plushie. Its eyes seem to flash red in the movement of the shard’s light.

”The Elysian category produced minimal effects. Nostalgia mixing with the sense of loss, perhaps blunting it. A confirmation of the meaning in sacrifice.”]

I need to teach them both how to play chess. Or perhaps learn that game I saw in Aloy's quarters.

[She has to bite back a laugh at the plushie. She tosses the shard up and down in her hand, then moves to settle it back in against the frog, where she'd found it.

When she turns back to the crocodile, her fingers twitch. She'd love to burn it, given the sinister gleam, but. She'd promised no changes this time. Instead, she'll just give it a little pat.

The book. Cosmic Frontier. Hadn't she seen Aloy with that once or twice? She can't quite recall. The flower... She reaches out to touch the bear, instead. It can't be representative of the god here, can it?]

Not the results I'd hoped, but... Would you say it was worth it?

Edited 2023-07-16 21:24 (UTC)

[Just touching the plush offers a complicated mix of emotions: pain, inevitability, frustration.

If she still doesn’t choose to burn it, the bear on closer examination is the statue in the woods, complete with the hole that serves as the entrance to the cloth materials ruin. Just touching that carries a sense of wistful catharsis, comfort, and a sort of sleepiness.

”The best I can say on the matter is the results were not objectionable.

“Regarding the game Aloy has acquired. It is called Machine Strike. Despite her habits and her relationship with people in general, she found enjoyment in playing against many as she traveled the Forbidden West, without needing an established relationship with her opponent.”]

I wonder what happened there... Maybe she'll agree to go with Claudine and I to serve Ayevar when the time comes?

[Hm. She'd really hoped for better results. But she'll see soon whether Aloy liked it enough to keep it.]

I'll ask her to teach me, then. Thank you for the name.

[Cosmic Frontier. It's the last of the temple-related items, she thinks. It seems to be chronological, with items from her home first. She'll crack it open, look at the extra pages.]

["A query of my own. Who is Ayevar?"

Just touching the book imparts curiosity, excitement, the spark of imagination - but undercut severely with guilt. When Tryse looks at the extra pages...It's a story, cut short. The clumsy first attempt of a person to write something of their own. It's...fanfic.

The story tells how the Cosmic Frontier crew encounters a one-person starship, piloted by a redhaired woman named Galavin. Much of the ship is operated by an AI of Galavin's mother. The fic is far too preoccupied with emphasizing to the reader how good Galavin is at piloting, how Galavin can go anywhere she wants, and no one can stop her even though many have tried. It seems she's trying to find a relative whose last known coordinates were near a nebula, and also an android character named Circuit wants to learn about human friendship from her (but she is too cool, and totally doesn't need friends).

It ends abruptly, incomplete.]

Aveyar is one of the local gods. The orange ruins are his. He's a minor deity, but his domains seem to include song, dance, revelry, beauty, sex, and mind altering substances. He's the one this statue represents.

[She winces at the guilt, then pauses as she rifles through the story. Aloy had been so happy here... Why cut it short?

She can't judge Galavin, really. Who hadn't had a Galavin in their life at some point? Someone better, who was free to do as she wished, when she wished...

She folds the pages reverently, sets it back carefully, and moves up the stairs.]

All right. I'm coming back up to the main level. The rest of this is important, but I've got a time limit and I can't afford to get caught up in Aloy's world now, as much as I'd like to see more of it.

Can you please display all of the profiles to me again? Her supports, I mean.

["The statue is here associated with a record of Aloy and Raphael discussing the legacy of her mother. I do not believe that she considers what entity might claim the original statue as its domain."

GAIA is gesturing, and the support wheel is appearing before her in the air again. As before:

Rost
Varl
Erend Vanguardsman
Talanah Khane Padish
Nil
Zo
Kotallo
Alva
Airi
Sylens
Raphael Hamato
Donatello Hamato
Crow
Randy Orlando
Tryse
Claudine
Adora

The names are all in shaded boxes - most names from Aloy’s world are in purple boxes, and the names themselves are in dull grey text. Airi’s is a Salamander red box. Egg names are predictably in egg blue. It seems people present in snek have white text names. Different boxes are positioned in different ways - either laid flush and connected to the Aloy circle, or sticking out, unconnected to the circle. Of the names from Aloy’s world, only Talanah and Nil are unconnected. Of the names in snek, only Airi and Tryse are connected.

Next to Rost and Varl’s names, words flash urgently in red lettering: Critical Error.

"It is likely that once Aloy has found a way to destroy the snake, if those taken by the snake are not allowed to disembark to chosen worlds and realities, she will turn to destroying the other entities. She will not be receptive to binding herself in service."

...A bear for El-Nevermind. I stand corrected, thank you.

[Seeing Varl and Rost returned to that critical error status... hurts a little.]

I guess she didn't like the feeling of Elysium enough to continue it on her own.

[A shame.

The talk of destroying the other gods... Tryse pinches the bridge of her nose. But that's a fight for another time. She can't take that head on.]

Pipe all of the Temple Horizon profiles to my Focus at once, please, so I don't have to ask for each one one-by one. Do not display the videos of Claudine connected to the Scavenger Hunt.

Are there archival versions, available? Could I also see the profiles of the Hamatos, and Claudine, from before the scavenger hunt?

["I will compile the files now."

A fresh circle outline appears, and will show a progress bar moving along.

"Conscious maintenance has not been performed since your original visit."

Tryse
The Black Witch
An adventurer, notable for her skill with magic and herbs. Studious and hard working. Enjoys verbal and written arts, and dancing. Understands, and takes a measured approach to, danger. Expressions are fun when she has been teased. Songs are beautiful. For someone who finds so much strength in knowledge, the Focus may be the perfect tool.

I wish her past was easier. Torture. Dead allies. I just want to make her happy. There's nothing more comfortable than taking the weight off my shoulders for a few minutes, to feel her hand on my skin and listen to the ironic comments and poetry.

Talk to Claudine first. Talk to Claudine first! TALK TO CLAUDINE FIRST! Tryse doesn't want to be held at the neck until after that.
Recommended support: Delving companion, intellectual and strategic advice, social etiquette.

There is a line of video icons, offering holographic recordings - receiving the light-enchanted shard, getting that toe-curling kiss at jenga, holding hands and relaxing in the hot springs. The thrill of taking control and guiding Tryse into a kiss during the speed dating game. A memory of floating on the ceiling with her phone, her heart doing something uncomfortable and losing her breath as she looks at a text: Tryse: This gives you a critical role in keeping team members safe. . .

There's a new pair of holograms on offer, this time. "Strings in the Tower." "Swim lessons." Currently, when viewed in the heart, the profile comes heavily tinted with desire.

Airi
Salamander Sister
A clone of Elisabet Sobeck, created by the Zeniths on the journey back to Earth with the goal of taking control of GAIA. She was tightly controlled by the Zeniths, with Tilda Van Der Meer taking a particular interest in her development. A tendency to pessimism, anxiety, and panic initially made it difficult to work together. However, after finding common ground, the choice was made.

We'll move the earth itself for each other. We are sisters, and that can be everything we wanted in the first place. Maybe with work, we can both even outh the differences between our strengths.

Needs to control herself more. Teach her defense and escape.

Recommended supports: Machine, computer, and biology expertise.
Videos are offered: The memory of the two bonding over the strength Rost once offered. Airi gifting Aloy the sunwing codes, and being recaptured by the Zeniths. The sisters riding a shellchomp together. Airi coming running to tend Aloy's wounds and hide her away in a private alcove in Airi's room, after the WBB game. The profile carries a lingering hint of impatience, but mostly it's love, and a determination to build the kind of bond she's been missing.

Crow Armbrust
Robin's Egg gambler
A man who is bound, somehow, to a war machine. Planning an act of defiance against those who would control him. Difficult to read. Seems to respond well to being asked for things, but not to expectations.

The games in his room are interesting. Keep away from things that interfere with magic.
Recommended support: Moderate combat and minor healing duties, hunting.
There's only one video icon. The profile comes with a mild sense of amusement.

Randy Orlando
Robin's Egg Jaeger
Formerly served as something like a mercenary in his world. It was the family business - his father died out of a commitment to pointless violence, and his cousin Shirley cannot be convinced to leave that life behind. Strong, and possibly the best person to connect with other teams. Randy has a casual humor and competence to him that is interesting.

I don't think I want to touch him. But it might be interesting to watch him some more.
Recommended support: Games about intimacy?
Two video file icons - the sexy Jenga display, and a discussion about extroverted clone versus introverted clone spiraling into something heavy. The profile comes with a heavy sense of amusement, and disrespect (fond).

Adora
Robin's Egg soldier
Her memory is ruined by something the snake did. Adora appears to have some form of military background. Donatello is clearly attached to her. I hope he isn't keeping what he knows from her.

It's hard to take her seriously, but she's earnest, and it's easy to see the potential, if you look for it. It's hard not to look on those morning runs.
Recommended support: Teambuilding exercises, survival traps.
There's no video files, just a photo of Adora in all her fit glory.

Claudine Saijo
Voice of a Lost Age
A performer from the old world. She's seen Japan and France, if not more. She's played family roles, been a student in a real education system. She can sing, and dance. Evoke emotion and direct attention. Claudine could lead Robin's Egg, if she decided to.

She holds the sword well. In a true duel, Claudine would contend with the best. But there are no duels in the temple grounds. Teams scrap for survival here, and that is why in a fighting scenario, I am the spearpoint.

I told her I would protect her. If there was trouble, I would be able to track her. I made sure she could be healed, and it wasn't enough. Whatever Power did when I was off fighting for scraps to make a potion - that's what mattered.

What does she think of me? Does she think of me? I want to know the world she saw. A world before Ted Faro. I want her to say it's okay to want everything I want.

Extinction and a thousand years separate us. How do you ask for anything across that?

Support recommendations: Artistic expertise, performance, storytelling, dueling.
Video files: Claudine performs, waiting for Tryse, (File withheld by user request), (File withheld by user request).

Archival copy:
Claudine Saijo
Robin's Egg performer
A performer from the old world. She's seen Japan and France, if not more. She's played family roles, been a student in a real education system. She can sing, and dance. Evoke emotion and direct attention.

In the emotions game, with the men wallowing in five different types of worries and anxiety, Claudine could stand up and ask the whole team to give her a single emotion. If she makes a decision again, I might listen to it.

Otherwise, best to leave her space. It doesn't help anyone here to talk about how the metal world died.

Support recommendations: Performance, storytelling
There are no videos attached, only a photo of Claudine at the team party.

Raphael Hamato
Robin's Egg turtle tank
A mutant turtle with the DNA of a human who was an old-fashioned holo star. The Hamato brothers were made for a purpose, had to hide from a world that wouldn't understand them. Family bonds are everything to them, and Raphael occupies the most important role. He is the big brother. He takes care of the others.

He has earnest attitude and strength, and it's all he needs. He understands what I need to do. Why it's important to live up to Elisabet.

And I've taken advantage of it. A Nora would shun me for what I did. One stern conversation that I was barely myself for, and he reaches out with nothing but respect, when I know his family should never give me a scrap of trust again.
Recommended support: Feats of strength, front-line combat.
Video: The Talk.

Archival copy:
Raphael Hamato
The Biggest Egg
A mutant turtle with the DNA of a human who was an old-fashioned holo star. The Hamato brothers were made for a purpose, had to hide from a world that wouldn't understand them. Family bonds are everything to them, and Raphael occupies the most important role. He is the big brother. He takes care of the others.

He has earnest attitude and strength, and it's all he needs. He understands what I need to do. Why it's important to live up to Elisabet. Raphael might be a good person to look to, for what a sister should be like.

Raphael can hug me, sometimes. After that one scenario, I got a little too careless with people, and I don't think it'll happen again. But he made it fun. Somehow, Raphael brings positivity and respect to everything.
Recommended support: Feats of strength, front-line combat, comfort hugs, family model.
Video: When flirting manifests in arm wrestling.

Donatello Hamato
Robin's Egg turtle inventor
A mutant turtle with the DNA of a human who was an old-fashioned holo star. The Hamato brothers were made for a purpose, had to hide from a world that wouldn't understand them. Whether or not it was a self-appointed role, Donatello has defined himself by how he can support his family. It's hard for him to say it, so he shows he cares through action. He and Raphael confirmed it. He makes and fixes things for his family, and the team.

We can be allies. He makes life easier for the team with what he makes, and we can get on the same page in scenarios.

He has every right to be angry. Why am I the one who's still bothered? I wanted to give him a chance to burn off the anger, and I'm the one who's stuck in that moment.

He's messaging me lately, wanting to know why I'm not asking him to make things. It feels absurd. I'm the last person around here who deserves something from a Hamato. I don't know. Maybe I'll ask him, and see what happens.
Recommended support: Mechanical expertise (team)
There is a video file, but the words "DATA CORRUPTED" flash if it's accessed. It should be Donatello holding her in place in the air, first with the spidershell arm and then with his own hand grasping the front of her shirt, exchanging angry words about what she did in the scavenger hunt. But the file keeps cutting - a Zenith man holding her up with a hand near the same spot in an old world ruin, chuckling to himself as the metal on his right wrist reshapes itself - a giant man in Carja clothing holding her up, a knife starting to bite into her neck, the man's words laying over the regular audio. "Turn your face to the sun, child."

Archival copy
Donatello Hamato
Robin's Egg turtle inventor
A mutant turtle with the DNA of a human who was an old-fashioned holo star. The Hamato brothers were made for a purpose, had to hide from a world that wouldn't understand them. Whether or not it was a self-appointed role, Donatello has defined himself by how he can support his family. It's hard for him to say it, so he shows he cares through action. He and Raphael confirmed it. He makes and fixes things for his family, and the team.

I've been in his psyche. I saw his family enjoying the projector he fixed, and it felt good to sit and act like I could have had that for a bit. I think I understand him. We share the outlook of outsiders. We understand gear and machine parts. We scan the world around us, and see things others overlook. Maybe he understands me, too? He texted Raphael about how I'm not used to contact.

But then, doesn't it mean something that there's no time for my project? Knowing what the role means, it seems wrong to push the matter. I don't know, once you've been rejected by a talking door, it's time to put yourself out less.
Recommended support: Mechanical expertise, media knowledge
Video: Family movie night.]

[She allows herself a fond expression as she trails their profiles and Aloy's memories of them. She pauses, reaches out as if she can touch Claudine.]

Nothing is sweeter than love; all other bliss comes second.
And compared to it, even honey is too bitter to hold in my mouth.
This I say: Whom Claudine has not kissed
Does not know her flowers, what kinds of things roses are.

I wish Aloy loved Claudine. If I knew that the two of them could be together, not simply because I wished it...

[She sighs, and continues on.

Her smile fades slightly at Raphael's profile. He was more than fair. And he'd never end things with her forever. How can she help Aloy and the big man reconnect?

It's Donatello's profile that fills her with red hot rage that threatens to overflow and consume her every thought until she forcefully crams it back down, as if with a rod.

Even so, she's left trembling in fury. A week later. A fucking week. Just to posture and humiliate? After Hunter had made his peace with her?]

How dare...

[The AI listens, a hint of Aloy’s expressions breaking through in the projection. Eventually:

“It would prove difficult for Aloy to approach Claudine for that. The connection is most likely to be made if Claudine demonstrates an interest to her.”

The lighting in the room shifts a little, toward red, as Tryse’s rage surfaces. There’s a large orb of machinery near the door that would normally lead to the rest of the base, with a spear stuck in it; it hums quietly in response.

“You are experiencing heightened anger.” An observation.]

I'd been wondering if it'd be better to ask Claudine. There's my answer.

[She tries to keep her tone level and even, even for that, but she's still too angry for perfect control.]

He laid hands on her. Humiliated her. A week later. He let me think it was a verbal disagreement. Just an argument over Hunter.

And then I see this.

I've worked so hard to find ways to get Aloy to feel comfortable around them. Spent hours in bed, thinking of how best to approach her, convince her it's safe to ask for things. Treating this as just an argument.

If I'd known, I could have...

I can see why she didn't tell me. She'd hate to seem weak, wouldn't she? She's Aloy, she gets things done. She stands alone when no one else can.

["With Sobeck, all things are possible."

It's like a recitation. GAIA seems...bigger. More real, in that moment. She gestures, calling up imagery. Aloy and Donatello, considering a book in Tryse's hut.

"Is it not enough for them to work together? She has done the same with another individual who offended her."]

[There's a little bit of a flush to her ears, but it doesn't do much to dispel the anger she's trying not to let leak now.]

I'd hoped they could be friends. She needs those, so badly.

But friends don't treat each other like that. That's the way someone treats another they view as inferior. That they want to show that they have power over. And that's totally unacceptable to me.

He wouldn't treat Hunter that way. Not Eve. Not Korone. He'd probably try to break anyone he saw treat them like that. So why is it okay to treat Aloy this way? The fact that he didn't tell me about it-

[She paces a little, clenching and unclenching her fists, taking slow, deep breaths.]

She shouldn't have to work with someone who treats her like that. Not unless he makes an effort to change. And-

GAIA, has Donatello ever apologized?

Edited 2023-07-18 23:34 (UTC)

["It seems he made a peace offering at the end of that very conversation."

An image of Aloy floating on the ceiling and scanning Donnie's tech bo, which has been suctioned to the ceiling.

"Since, he has emphasized that a fight is not the end of a relationship for him. He cannot apologize for a justified anger, and Aloy is not asking for it."]

[She can't change anything. She promised not to change anything. And she isn't Donatello, she isn't just going to write how she thinks Aloy should feel into her heart without permission.

She wants to rant and rave. This wasn't an argument, this was a demonstration. A humiliation. If he'd done this to anyone else, someone he actually cared about, no matter the provocation, he'd probably be coming back within that week with a gift. A box. A dagger. A new quiver. Instead, he'd left Aloy dangling again.

Tryse paces for a moment more. Mentally checks how much time has passed. She doesn't have the time to spare for this.]

GAIA, I've... allowed myself to get sidetracked. Is there anything that I should be focusing on here that I'm not?

["There are several recommendations, depending on your goals. However, in all cases, the starting point is this."

Purple letters scroll into the air: Tryse: You are an onion. Many delicious layers. I work in each one.

"From what I have seen, you have not yet attempted to see your surroundings here as Aloy would."]

[Tryse scrubs at her face. As Aloy would. Try to think like Aloy.

Try to calm down so you can think like Aloy.

You're such a failure, Tryse.

She takes a long, shuddering breath and gestures to condense all of the profile data. Shove it to a corner of her field of vision. First things first. First thing Aloy always does.

She taps her focus to ping her surroundings.]

[The ping goes out.

And each memento on the walkway populates a file icon, as well as the low-humming machine orb with its spear sticking out of it by the door.]

...Nothing to climb?

[Well. That spear had drawn some attention earlier, hadn't it? Best to go inspect that, then. She approaches it and taps the icon.]

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