#fothseyka

This starting point was a great chance to show Aloy both knowing what's important to Seyka and displaying her inherent compassion for others. There's a lot going on, but in this moment, she's taking time to pause, seek out, and check on the emotional well-being of both an important part of Seyka's life, and a person who was hurt, betrayed, and needed assurance.

This was to introduce a bit of a curveball early on, but it also happened to tie in to lore behind this path's exclusive machine, the Dreadmaw; by this point, Aloy's heard a bit about where it likes to dwell and hunt, and she'll definitely see that heading towards deeper waters can be the path to peril... but also progress.

Besides saving the world, so much of Aloy's emotional journey in HFW was having to internalize the fact that she doesn't have to go at this alone, and doesn't have to be indestructible to be amazing. We wanted to see her put that into action, to be okay with being hurt, and be okay with accepting help from someone she's opened her heart to. And we see Seyka as someone who values that vulnerability, that trust.

By this point in Aloy’s reunion with Seyka, there should be a lingering sense of tension, of unfinished business. No one can pinpoint why just yet, but there are a lot of contenders: Seyka’s concern with the machine, Aloy once again dealing with feelings she hasn’t let herself embrace much before, etc. One thing is clear, though, from all the chatter among the Quen: this machine is a huge threat that Seyka is determined to neutralize. So, by taking initiative and addressing this important topic, Aloy shows Seyka she’s paid attention to her concerns and knows her goal.

In the past, Aloy’s had to deal with learning all these life-changing truths about the world, figuring out how to share revelations others might not understand or want to hear, or just charging ahead to get her next task done. Meanwhile, Seyka’s dealt with Quen leadership that can find out all this information, but decides to pick and choose what to share with a select few. So to best proceed with the relationship at this moment, Aloy should propose she uses her Focus to figure out this puzzle. It’s also an instance of choosing to spend a moment doing something almost carefree; for this moment, neither of their lives have to be solely dedicated to facing peril.

Because of her tragic banishment since birth, Aloy has for so long walked the path of life alone. Though we know how badly she wanted friendship, of course we’ve seen her insist on doing things by herself. So to best proceed with the relationship here, Aloy should hunt with Seyka, which accomplishes a lot: it once again displays Aloy’s trust in Seyka and it shows Aloy is still willing to let someone help - and is happy to spend time with another.

This machine is a looming threat over the Quen, Seyka, and Aloy from the start, and putting a name to it was another way of making it all the more real and tangible target for both of them. This moment also lets them, as a couple, put their mark on this moment in machine history. Them going through and trying to name it also gave us a rare opportunity for innocent fun and outright humor.

For so much of her journey, Aloy takes a practical approach that’s also seen her leave her own party, avoid help like it’s the (Faro) Plague, and try and keep an arm’s length distance after being hurt for so long. But here, she’s proposing an idea to have the Sunwing be their alarm in case of other machines so that she can rest with Seyka. The with is the big part. A lot of their reunion is colored by unfinished business and the sense of the two circling each other in wait.

Aloy, despite all that she has learned under Rost's tutelage, never developed a true appreciation for intimacy. It has been a work in progress; her group of close and trusted friends are a testament to that. However, when faced with newfound feelings toward Seyka, and she finds herself in such close proximity to her, Aloy grapples with an impulse to express physical affections. This decision to stay by Seyka’s side marks a huge step for Aloy: allowing herself to push past the reflexive desire to remove herself from the touch of another human being and just… Be. Exist in the presence of another.

Sharing information - transparency - is such a big overarching theme for this romance, and for both Aloy and Seyka, when exploring their arcs. For Seyka, she's coming from leadership that treats information, the truth, as something that must be controlled, that cannot be given to everyone, that nobody has a right to the truth. We see hints of her being apologetic when she doesn't adhere to Quen laws, but she also recognizes the power of knowing. Meanwhile, Aloy has to make a big step any time she chooses to tell anyone about anything - the state of the world, her plans, her feelings. So, in this checkpoint it's important that she not avoid answering, but finally confront the truth head on. For her and for Seyka. There's bravery in that.

Leaving, even temporarily, without a goodbye or any attempt to tie up loose ends, is a behavior that Aloy is all too familiar with. It was never intentional; the fate of the world as everyone knew it rested on her shoulders, a weight that has never left her… But that has never truly lessened the pain or hurt those left behind can feel. This flashpoint gives Aloy the chance to end that cycle of behavior. To say what needs to be said instead of letting it fade into obscurity. Seyka needs honesty. She deserves it.