Unintended

16

With the sudden appearance of Aloy, the base seemed suddenly full; there weren't many in number here, but it suddenly felt like there were more faces, more conversation outlets, more friends and comrades and though it was something that was slow to adapt to, Aloy honestly couldn't think of a group of people she would trust more to be here.

Erend was sat at his usual table and only really noticed she had returned when she paused by his side, arms by her sides and hands on her hips. She looked amused, probably because she just caught the tail end of him complaining about the Focus doing something he definitely didn't tell it to do. She got it, it was hard for him, he not only had to come to grasp with how to read the language which was presented on the holograms, but also to navigate them and also learn to use the Focus itself. Hardy though the small triangular piece of technology was, it still couldn't withstand an angry Oseram if it didn't play ball.

"I see the research is going well," Aloy was trying to keep her amusement out of her voice, it was hard. She still sounded like she was about to lightly laugh, and Erend clearly knew that. He shot her a look and turned in his seat before patting his knees and standing. Aloy took a step back and looked around the main room, she did lean to the side slightly to try and find where Alva was.

"Archives," Erend could figure out why she was looking worried. Each time she had seemingly made a new friend, and sent them back here, the times she too visited one of the first things Aloy did was ask how they were. Of course, she was concerned about her long-time friends, but new ones were just as important; especially if they had left something behind to be here.

Zo had left her role as a Gravesinger, it was something she freely did, like everyone else here; Varl may or may not have helped her sway her, however Zo could understand that what Aloy was trying to do would save her own people, but the lands around her. It was much the same with Kotallo, he didn't have to cease being a Marshal to Hekarro, even if he had temporarily stepped down from the role, but Alva, her people where a mystery really, like a myth in way. The Quen were not from these lands, they had to travel by great ships and boats to get here, and what they sought was information to help their own lands.

As a Diviner, it wasn't a surprise Alva had taken residence in the archival room; it was her job, to learn information, to use that information to better her people; but no matter the information which was kept from her, or what she had found while with Aloy, and also here, she was a long way from home. And, well, it wasn't like the time Aloy had spent with the Quen was fantastic. Aloy had tried to be polite, forever being called an Ancestor, or at least anything along those lines was uncomfortable and unneeded...just as unneeded as any title she had accumulated in her travels.

"Has she come out at all?" Aloy continued to question Erend as he stood there patiently waiting for her to speak. She did sound concerned, in some ways, she understood why she would hide away. Utaru and Tenakth did also know of each other, even if sometimes it wasn't in the best of ways...the Quen though? No. All these clans and tribes were new, unknown territory even.

Erend did confirm she had with a nod. "She gave Varl a run for his money in a sparring match. Even if she looked guilty about actually managing to land a hit on him." Erend said while waving a hand in Varl's direction. The Nora heard his words and turned, his dark eyes narrowed suspiciously and Aloy just slowly smiled. Varl's eyes narrowed even more than, he didn't need Aloy joining in with teasing him, everyone else was sort of doing it; even Kotallo who was amazed that Varl let his guard down enough to be dealt a hit by someone who was so non-offensive and mild.

"And everything is going all okay?" Aloy looked away from her fellow Nora and looked back at Erend.

"It depends on what you class as 'okay'. I'm still struggling with this, but that's nothing new. I think there was talk on some more sparring, although that is a match I think will be betted on."