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

[huntsmachines]

[ Funny words, Shepard. For some reason Aloy funds them intensely amusing and that's conveyed clearly across the link. ]

( My whole life was waiting for something that might not happen. I'm used to courting disappointment. )

[earthborn]

( How you wanna cope is your business, but you did ask. )

[Shepard's amused, where she had been grim. It's good that Aloy can joke about this.]

[huntsmachines]

( ...I'd like to cope by spending time with you. So that's kind of your business, too. )

[ Was that too awkward? Too forward? It's the only way Aloy knows how to be and shes not sure if that's the right thing to do here. But Shepard is like her in a lot of ways--blunt, direct, no-nonsense. ]

[earthborn]

( Smooth. )

[She's teasing, but it was. Then again, Shepard's an easy target for flirtation.]

( I'm free right now. You have something in mind? )

[huntsmachines]

( I've never been called smooth before. )

[ More amusement as Aloy turns the ideas over in her head. She's not quite sure what they can manage right now, honestly. ]

( Just spending some time with you would be nice. Can I come by your tent later? )

[earthborn]

( You're kidding. I've seen how you ride and fight-- 'smooth' is the operative term. )

[Shepard knows style when she sees it.]

( Sure, my door is always open. Figuratively. )