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

[extradite]

[ He wouldn't have answered, wouldn't have and wouldn't have and mustn't, really. It's not his place. Not his responsibility.

But the question is so bizarrely out of place that, yes. Even he falls prey to it, a whisper of presence materialising long before the tense flickers of a coherently directed reply. ]

( You... rejoice, don't you? You finally have yourself back again. )

[huntsmachines]

( I don't know. I mean--I didn't know them long but it felt right, having them there. Having all of you there. I miss them. )

[ Misses them and never really knew them. What a strange thing to say. But Aloy searches herself and finds it to be true. ]

[extradite]

( I wouldn't miss this at all. Not at all. It's... not natural. )