The world through Stef's lens

“Do you always travel with your pockets full of paint stuffs?”

“Honestly, Sekuli, I go around filling my pockets with most of everything.”

Indigo

Aloy was shivering, tired and hungry; Cliffwatch wasn't too far off, but she needed to harvest that Apex Thunderjaw heart first. Thankfully the snow had let up, and she hoped she'd be able to make quick work of the massive machine.

Though she wished Kotallo was here to aid her. They were a perfect team, but if she was being honest, what she really needed, what she really wanted, was his warmth, his closeness, his affection. She missed him so.

Quickly she recorded a message for him to find in the morning when he woke. "I miss you, my darling. So much. Let's take a few hours to ourselves when I get back, please. Have a good day tomorrow. I'll be home soon."

She sent that off, but before she could record a video to send him more love and kisses, her Focus trilled and his message came through. "I'm so relieved to hear from you. I was starting to worry. Please be safe, my love. I miss you, too, so very much. I can't wait for some time off. Just you and I. Please, be safe and return to me." 

Somewhere over there

She missed him terribly. It was too late to call, it'd be selfish to wake him, so she quickly dismissed that notion. Instead, she quietly made her way up the winding walkway to the majestic tree from where she had a perfect view of the mountain that housed The Base. She couldn't make out the fire of course, but it was good to know he was over there somewhere.

Unyielding

Fashav's heart beat out of his chest. Anxiety rose and ebbed away, only to rise again a moment later.

He watched Kotallo approach, their farewell imminent. His breath caught in his throat.

When at first all he wanted was to return to the Sundom, now, after all these years, he wanted nothing more than to remain. By his best friends side. Spend his life sharing the way with him, watch each others children grow up, raise them to be close like they were.

Fashav felt the knot in his throat aching painfully, constricting his airway. This hurt.

He would have to make due, he was Unyielding Fashav after all.

They'd vowed to keep in touch; though he knew things usually didn't pan out as desired...

Daybreak

Her Focus recorded the spectacular sunrise that chased away thick clouds filled with snow.

As the last flurries gently floated into the valley, Aloy sent the recording to her archives. It was too early yet to wake the GAIA gang - barely six o'clock.

Kotallo of course would already be outside, close to Varl, sitting cross-legged in meditation, watching the sun rise, inhaling its energy as he did every morning.

Intertwined

Kotallo knew right away that she hadn't eaten properly when Aloy entered the rec room and leaned heavily against his workstation. She was beyond tired, and in desperate need of rest.

He also knew she didn't want to hear about it and would need extra tender loving care tonight.

"Aloy," he started, but was immediately met with a stubborn sigh and arms crossing over her chest defensively.

She looked away and muttered an annoyed, “Don’t start. Please. Don’t.”

Kotallo moved closer, the armored pieces of their tassets touching but she kept her gaze determinedly averted. A moment passed in which he watched her shoulders rise and fall ever so slightly with each breath she took.

There was only one solution ─ close combat.

Kotallo eased his left foot between hers, intertwining their legs. As if on cue Aloy put her head on his shoulder, uncrossed her arms and wrapped them around him.

There she was, Kotallo thought, put his arm around her and kissed her hair.

“I’m just tired,” she began. “It’s been a long day, and somehow I had the hardest time fighting off that stupid Rollerback just outside of Salt Bite.”

“You didn’t sleep well either. And you left without breakfast.”

“I took the left-over slice of Blood Bread from last night…” Aloy mumbled.

“That’s not enough, my love. You have learned this lesson before.”

Aloy huffed a tired exhale. “Can we please just go to bed and snuggle. I never want to leave this embrace.”

Kotallo smiled. “As soon as you’ve eaten,” he said, took her chin between his fingers, then dipped his head and pecked a quick kiss onto her soft lips. “I’ll make us Mountain Caps,” he offered affectionately. “And there’s fresh Mountain Trail Bread from this morning.”

“Then we can cuddle?”

“If you promise to eat a proper breakfast with me in the morning.”

“I promise,” she smiled into his lips, and Kotallo let himself be pulled into a deep kiss.

“You know, Marshal…,” she whispered, when their lips parted.

“Hmm?”

“I love how you show your love.”

Kotallo - Stone Crest II

With one last fleeting look over his shoulder at the willful Nora huntress, Kotallo turned and walked away, anger rising like icy bile. The Chief should have executed him, maimed as he was, worthless, half a man in constant pain; instead, here he was, playing escort to an outlander on a doomed mission.

Kotallo scoffed. Ridiculous!

Yet he couldn't deny the spark in her eyes, the obvious will to live he currently lacked so severely. 

He'd never seen hair as bright as hers, glowing like flames, especially when the sunlight kissed it. Those freckles dancing on her cheeks… He turned once again, hoping she wouldn't catch his glance.

But she did. Their eyes locked for a fraction of a second and his heart skipped a beat.

Pull yourself together, Marshal, he scolded himself. Your romancing days are over!

Hope

Hopeful, Kotallo looked down at the prosthesis that would give him a chance at a new beginning. He was unsure yet, worried it might not live up to its promise.

Everything was in place, all straps secured, all fittings adjusted, all mechanics greased, checked and double-checked.

He met Aloy’s gaze, who nodded at him encouragingly. He pulled his lips into a straight line and took an apprehensive breath as he carefully flexed his new arm. He rotated the mechanic wrist, stretched and bent the metal elbow, balled the prosthetic fingers into a tight fist. It worked.

Kotallo smiled cautiously, then nodded in Aloy’s direction.

“None shall stand in our way,” he said.

ref is here 🌌✨