mental link; the sound of silence

[huntsmachines]

[ Aloy has been trying to ignore that empty buzzing at the back of her head. She never got a chance to know most of her broodmates very well but their presence had been comforting. Now she was alone again. She could ignore it but unlike being alone normally, this one comes with a keen sense of awareness that she is alone and that she shouldn't be. ]

( It's so quiet without the rest of my brood. )

[ It feels strange to say that, but it's true. ]

( What do I do? )

[ She's not using to being connected to anyone this way and she's definitely not used to missing them. ]

Comments

[perroquet]

(Oh my dear, how dreadful-)

[ He's heard of the sleeping curse that befalls hosts seemingly at random, but hasn't had the misfortune of it happening to him or the few members of Mirfac. Not yet. It seems no brood is immune to the symbiote's cruelty of incompatibility, and poor Aloy is left alone because of it.

Gildor's heart aches for her, though he tries his best to cover it with the sound of gentle music. Music is his cure-all, and the best medicine he can offer besides words he hopes will be reassuring. ]

(Reaching out as you are seems a good start. And contradictory to what others may say, I believe there is always hope. If not for them, then surely for yourself.)

[huntsmachines]

( I believe in hope. It's all I've had for a lot of my life. )

[ That and her sweet style and her sick athletic skills, but hey. The music makes her smile and she sends back a sensation of gratefulness. Something soft and adoring. ]

( Thank you. It means a lot to me to have people to support me. )

[perroquet]

(Of course. If you need anything - healing or mending or just a listening ear - my mind is open to you.)

[ He still doesn't have walls. Not in the same vein as many other hosts at least, his mental presence dark as ever. A pitch-black shadow filled with soothing song and warmth for Aloy in her moment of need. ]

(Now is a time to be kind to yourself. Distractions are healthy to a point, but it's best not to drown in them or you'll become even more miserable when those distractions end.)

[ His voice grows heavy - he speaks from experience. ]

[huntsmachines]

( I'll keep you in mind, thank you. And I know. I don't have much to distract myself with here, anyway. )

[ She sighs mentally. Mother, this is harder and stranger than she was used to. But that kind of describes the whole situation with the Nest, doesn't it? ]