maybe we're just like flowers startin' down in the dirt

[nobetawedielike]

Who: Aloy and Beta! It's a clonesis adventure.
Where: The farmlands, stables, greenhouse... It's gonna be a full day.
What: It's time for the clones to go on an adventure to pet some horses and look at some plants.
Warnings: Nerd talk. Lots of nerd talk.

Comments

[despitethenora]

[This earns Beta a blank look. For someone who was raised to go all in on a fight and regularly tries to grit her teeth through doing something she knows will get her electrocuted? What if her hands start to hurt???]

Check what you’re holding onto?

[nobetawedielike]

[ don't fret, beta. you'll be annoying and then aloy will decide she regrets making this trip with you before you even leave.

so she tells herself, but she's looking concerned, glancing down at Aloy's hands. she can't help it, when the surge of anxiety hits her whenever she thinks of the dangers Aloy has to face. Her thoughts immediately race while. the sort of nerve damage she could experience is daunting to think about, especially with how seriously Aloy takes her archery. ]

The temperatures up there-- Do you at least cover your hands?

[despitethenora]

[She looks puzzled when Beta takes an interest in her hands. She turns them over, so her sister can see her palms. Surely that will help.]

Wind feels like it'll cut through you sometimes, but I don't think I've run into anything chillier than The Cut. Haven't needed to worry much about covering them up so far. Why?

[nobetawedielike]

[ she makes to take Aloy's hands and look them over, before suddenly stopping herself. after a moment, she follows through after all, giving Aloy's hands a closer look.

Beta's own are soft, with no callouses though her nails are a little ragged from anxiety gnawing. ]

Extended exposure to freezing temperatures can cause nerve damage and frostbite. If you don't stop when they hurt, you may be causing long-term damage.

[despitethenora]

[Aloy stiffens when Beta actually does take her hands. She'd only meant to show her, the hunter hadn't really expected Beta to decide on such a close examination.

But she doesn't draw away. It could be more awkward.]

You can't just let something stop you because it got uncomfortable. I can't let something stop me.

[nobetawedielike]

You have to take care of yourself too. Maybe when we get back, we can figure out some kind of glove for you. Would it interfere with your bow handling?

[despitethenora]

[Let her think it over...a glove. Well, she's seen plenty of people who keep gloves on.]

Might be fine, depends on how they're made. Might make my hands feel a little stiff.

[Casually brushing over whether or not she takes care of herself.]

[nobetawedielike]

Better stiff and functioning, right?

[despitethenora]

Right...

[A little awkward, Aloy pulls back, and focuses on their little hike again.]

When you can afford the choice, I guess.

[nobetawedielike]

[ once they're out of the city and on the path to the woods, it feels like she can breathe a little easier. ]

I just want to help however I can.

[despitethenora]

[What's the right response to someone wanting to help, and isn't 'sneak away and disappear in the woods?']

I guess - show me some gloves, and I'll try them out.

[nobetawedielike]

[ finally letting Aloy out from under the microscope, she just smiles.

of course, the peace and quiet lasts all of two minutes. ]

What do you usually do to keep yourself busy when you're travelling?

[despitethenora]

Just talk, maybe.

[TO WHO? Herself. Don't worry about it.]

Listen to some of the data I've found. Sometimes there's a good path to ride along, and the mount understands to follow it, so you can read a few files.

But a lot of the time...

[Aloy's posture almost stretches, like she's relaxing into her element, here. She tries to indicate their surrounds with a movement of her hand.]

It can be enough to take everything in. Look for things - something might stand out that looks interesting, or there might be something you want to pick up along the way.

[nobetawedielike]

[ It's nice seeing Aloy relax, even a little. Beta copies her, stretching with a sigh.

She hasn't gotten much sun even here, so she's still pale. There's definitely going to be a sunburn later. ]

I don't think there are any ruins to check out, but I'm sure we could find something for you to climb.

[despitethenora]

[They can have some sun exposure triggered rosacea together later, as a little sisterly bonding.]

It's never hard to find something to climb. Just have to be able to get a good grip on a handhold, somewhere.

[nobetawedielike]

Maybe I could try something, if we start with something low to the ground?

[ she wants to do cool climbing stuff with his sister too..... ]

[despitethenora]

No reason you can't.

[She's not second guessing it. As far as she's concerned the only thing to wonder about is wanting it low to the ground. Surely it's appropriate to start out climbing and jumping parkour platforms that are high enough up that you could break your leg if you fall.]

Everything starts out low to the ground.

[nobetawedielike]

[ even since arriving here, Beta's pretty sure she hasn't walked this much. this is a lot of walking. what if she just experiments with walking backward, even if it slows them down? it lets her look at Aloy with half genuine curiosity and half teasing as she asks, ]

You climb mountains and skyscrapers. What would you actually call low to the ground?

[despitethenora]

Anything you can reach.

[A branch, an outcropping...Aloy's eyebrows go up when Beta opts to walk that way. It's an energy that Aloy hasn't recognized in her sister previously. But she does slow to accommodate.

And point at her, like she's challenging something.]

So at least a few yards up, with a pullcaster.

[nobetawedielike]

Was there ever a time when it scared you?

[ points back playfully!!! they're that spiderman meme.

at least the pullcaster came after she had grown up. what kind of trouble could a younger Aloy have gotten into, with something like that? ]

You're so unafraid of everything, but was it always like that?

[despitethenora]

[Aloy drops her hand, and shakes her head even as she forges on down the path.]

Unafraid? It’s never been like that. But sometimes, it’s thrilling. Like if I take a chance on a handhold being stable while I’m climbing. Otherwise - there’s just no room for me to let something like that stop me.

I have to keep going, even if it might be difficult. Or dangerous.