#threade

She paused, trying to gauge just how the other woman was feeling. While Elise didn’t want to overstep, she also just couldn’t sit there while Ruby ran herself to the point of exhaustion. There weren’t a lot of good options, but better to say something than completely ignore the situation. “Hey... uh hey Ruby? I know what you are doing is pretty important, but do you think you could stop for now? I don’t think I’ve seen you like move at all for several hours. Have you had some water? Anything to eat?” 

“I...I’m sorry Aloy, but this is a lot to take in....” She stopped speaking and leaned down to put a log in the fire. Elise ran a hand through her hair and tried to find the proper words. “How come they couldn’t control the machines, if they built them? Are... Does this mean that we are being controlled by the will of the people who came before us? I just have so many questions. I know you don’t nearly have all the answers, but this...this changes everything, you know.” She looked at Aloy, trying to read what was happening in the heart of the one person she held in the highest regard. Surely all this knowledge was a burden on Aloy. 

Gazing up at Eliza, Elise couldn’t help but feel a little anxious about why the professor had called her over. It couldn’t have been about her grades, those were impeccable, and it wasn’t about the class that Elise was TAing as they’d just had a meeting about that. She took a breath and remembered that it was probably fine. “Was there something you wanted to talk to me about Professor Danvers?”

Hearing those words, Elise clung to Aloy tightly. It was hard to really know what to say back to such kindness. Her mind did still have it's doubts. Even after having traveled with Aloy for so long. It was difficult when everyone that they met and traveled was so great and had such important parts to play. Elise sometimes wished that she had taken the time to learn how to fight, rather than spend her time trying to please her father by learning their family trade because then she could at least help more directly. "I know, I know," she muttered, trying not to feel silly about it, and sniffled slightly. "It's just hard feeling less than useful in the face of all of this. Which, I know I am. You remind me of that. But still." Elise just shrugs.

What sort of FBI agent went around investigating people in bars? Elise shifted uncomfortably. It wasn’t that she was against speaking to law enforcement, but she never knew how to react to them. Her brain always assumed she’d done something. Not that she ever had. But if speaking to her helped with something, Elise was willing. There was no use for her own misgivings to prevent the solving of some crime. She sat back and closed her laptop. Her back straightened. It felt better to sit straight, almost like she wasn’t hiding her panic. Remember, she hadn’t done anything wrong. There should be nothing to worry about. “So,” she started. Then, having spoken, her mind went blank. Elise stammered and blushed. How embarrassing. Hopefully it wouldn’t be taken as a sign of guilt. “What can I help you with?” She swallowed and focused on the figure in front of her. Then something hit her. Her face. Elise knew that face. “Wait, do I know you from somewhere?” The question was out of her mouth before Elise could stop herself. For a moment, her curiosity had overpowered her nervousness. 

The figure was hunched, trying to turn itself away from her as Elise crouched down. But Elise had heard the cries and she could see the blood. Something had happened, something bad. “Please, I won’t hurt you. I just want to help,” she whispered, trying hard to not make things worse. She couldn’t just leave them alone, not like this.

The move to National City had been a very long and drawn out conversation between her and her father. Eventually she had won out. There were more opportunities for her to to both write and for her to actually get a job. Her father had given in to those arguments. Thankfully Elise had found a part time position at a construction company. It was just analyzing dig sites for potential run off, but it did use her geology degree and paid her portion of the rent. It being part time also gave Elise a lot of down time. She did enjoy roaming the city. Her favorite thing was to head to a particular bar and people watch. Though it turned out it was mostly aliens that she was observing. She’d found that so interesting that she’d started bringing her laptop and jotting down ideas. Somehow it was completely inspiring her creativity and so Elise spent far too many of her night with a beer by her right hand, typing away while her eyes would glance up at the room every so often.