Unintended

47

Hearing a familiar voice speaking to Erend in the main room just outside his room, Kotallo's eyes flicked up and watched as Aloy went walking past seemingly determined to hunt out one of the new guests. She certainly had a determined expression to match with her pace. He could only imagine the awkward conversation that was likely to transpire between herself and Sylens. In truth, no one had really tried to talk to him, Kotallo had witnessed Zo and Erend try, with a huge emphasis there, they really did give it a good go, but Kotallo hadn't ever seen someone so disinterested before.

Needless to say, the pair gave up quickly then. What was the point of trying to talk to someone who just didn't want to know? And it was evidently clear that Sylens didn't want to know. Him being here was just because he had to be for the moment, he had something they needed and that worked both ways. He was incredibly untrustworthy, and that was a shared feeling throughout most here, the hardened look on Nureka's face if they had quietly discussed him said it all. She was clearly waiting to get stabbed in the back somehow, hopefully not literally, but it was clear she was awaiting the betrayal to come.

Of course, benefit of the doubt, he might not, but chances were it was either going to be him or Tilda that were going to make things go awry. The awful thing was that everyone sort of knew that but no one had actually voiced it. Hearing footsteps, Kotallo looked up, Aloy's expression quickly schooled to casual, she smiled his way as she walked into the usual darkened room. He was going to bet that whomever she just spoke to left a bitter taste in her mouth, most likely Sylens was the person she sought out to speak to then.

"Haven't seen you since the battle at the Grove. How are you holding up?" She asked curiously, yet with a little hesitance in her tone, clearly expecting something here. Aloy wouldn't put it past him to comment on Regalla, who was still in the basement. She had hoped that he realised why she let her live, Kotallo was a smart man, tactically minded too, surely after some time he'd figure out that Regalla had a use here.

"I saw you fly on the Wings of the Ten and paralyse Regalla's army with lightening. I would say I am inspired." Kotallo turned and looked Aloy's way while he replied to her, she listened and could've sworn he sounded, dare she say, slightly excitable and awestruck about what transpired; the way he spoke was a little lighter than usual, just enough to notice.

"Thank you," she bowed her head and gave a quiet sigh. Not that she was shooting down Kotallo's apparent gratitude but also respect, just Aloy was never one for dealing with complimentary comments well.

"No, it is I who should be thanking you." Kotallo said while Aloy just shifted her weight from one foot to the other, totally not missing the slight smile that tug at the corner of his lips there. A rare smile plus respect, something was truly happening here today.

"You know, things will get ugly once the Zeniths realise, we're in that base." Aloy started, she had pretty much had the same conversation with Zo and Alva, Not Sylens, who she spoke to before finding Kotallo, and that was a battle of sarcastic quips and hedging on sharing information begrudgingly. But this was a similar conversation she'd have with all her friends, just varying it on the person she was speaking to. "You'll need every trick you've ever learned."

"I would have it no other way." It wasn't like Kotallo was expecting this to be easy, he'd be more surprised if anything went smoothly here. But it was another challenge to overcome. "Many soldiers died in the Old World to make sure we stood here today. We will endure on their behalf. Though I am curious how you intend to defeat the Zenith's defences, without an army of our own."

"Leave that to me. Just make sure you're ready to fight." Aloy gestured a hand to herself, no one needed to worry or concern themselves with that aspect, she had a plan hatching for that anyway.