[ Her cough hasn't quite gone away, but she stands out in the early spring chill anyway- the snow is half-melted leaving puddles of mud and splotches of yellow green grass all around Mother's Heart. Ivy, with her incredibly limited vocabulary and Zero's own intuition, had worked together to discover that this evening's migraine inducing tantrum had been because Aloy would be coming home soon and she absolutely needed to greet her outside.
She knows Aloy will scold her for it. But if she had to choose between a toddler's screaming and a compromised immune system, she'd choose the latter ten out of ten times. They spent the cooler months at the base usually. The scar's of Zero's sickness had never truly gone away and she was prone to illness.
But again she'd been brought to a crossroads: Take care of two children under five by herself, or suffer through a winter out east but with help. Often when Aloy was gone for this long Zero would accompany her or travel to Meridian with Alana. Traveling with one infant had been doable, traveling with a child and an infant was panic inducing.
Ivy will not allow Zero to hold her, but she demands they hold hands. When Aloy's figure is finally visible from further down the hill she raises her hand and flexes her fingers- the prequel to an actual wave. Zero almost forgets this infant has been the bane of her existence for the last two months.
Ivy tugs and whines, again not wanting to let go of Zero's hand but very clearly wanting to propel the both of them forward. She gives in, and once they're in talking distance Ivy fights Zero's grip and Zero concedes.
Ivy hobbles toward Aloy. ]
Well you're a sight for sore eyes.
[ With age their reunions have become less fraught, much warmer. ]
[Snowmelt further north in Banuk territory had waylaid her, making travel along rivers treacherous even for her, and the winter's last blizzards always hit the Cut hardest, out of all the tribal territory. Even though she was venturing out less often, and not as far away these days, with Zero and two little children at home, the Nora's Anointed and the savior of Meridian herself could not fight off weather. Feeling homesick's still something she's getting used to, and talk of the new machines in the mountains, while curiosity-sating, could not distract her from it. She's grateful when the weather breaks enough to make her way back to Nora land, as always with her customary trinkets for her family. Rich Banuk dyes for Zero, a shawl for Beta, who had never taken well to the cold snaps even as spring began to creep in. Little toys for the girls: a Grazer doll for Ivy to teeth on, a puzzle for Alana to preoccupy herself with. She hops off her Strider before her youngest can toddle right into metal limbs, and catches her midway, easily swinging her into her arms with a "hup!" She tucks her into the crook of her arm, unmindful of the way that her face is patted at and tugged by chubby little hands.
Aloy's smile is warm and relieved. She leans forward to press a kiss to Zero's temple.]
The same to you. [A moment later, and her expression sobers some.] You didn't come out here just for me, did you? You'll both catch a chill.
[ Ivy is appeased some by finally having the pieces of her life return to some semblance of normal it seems; she screams at the sight of them together again in that way babies do when they need to express excitement. Zero can't blame her. She releases a breath she didn't know she'd been holding for the last two months when Aloy finally steps off her charger, feet standing on the same ground as the two of them, finally. ]
It was this or letting her cry her lungs out.
[ Zero has gotten better at being a part of things so she stays close to Aloy as they begin their short trek back up to the cabin, craving closeness after so long apart.]
Beta took pity on me and took Alana with her into the village. They've both been needy-
[ She nods toward Ivy, babbling happily as if a part of the conversation. ]
But they're bad at sharing.
[ Usually, when Aloy would return home from a longer trip it would be different- the house warm and cozy, food and a hot bath already prepared. But instead the cabin is littered with toys and half cleaned messes from the tantrums of two children. ]
I'd say sorry about the mess, they're your kids- so maybe you should say sorry to me.
[As they walk, Aloy turns to the baby, frowning in an unserious way.] Is that so? You've been fussing at your mother?
[She wags her finger, smiling when Ivy grabs it and tries, as babies did, to immediately put it into her mouth. Her pace stays level with Zero and while the mess is uncharacteristic, she doesn't complain — setting down both Ivy and her travel pack. Her first gift she hands to the baby, who sets to the work of chewing on the toy Grazer with comically serious focus, appeased by both the return to status quo and a new trinket to fixate on.]
The weather was worse than I thought. [She says to Zero, beginning to pick up the clutter without being asked. Travel had worn her out, but it was, she'd found, not comparable to rearing two small children who got into everything.] I wanted to be back weeks ago, but even GAIA told me to stay put. Lots of avalanches this year.
[She gives Zero a sheepish smile.] Does it help that I come bearing gifts? Look in my pack; there's something for you.
[She adds, after a little while of picking up clutter:] And no trips for the spring, I hope. The tribes are starting to figure out their own problems.
Have you been alright? And Beta? Catch me up on things.
[They all regularly communicated during her trips through the Focus network. Aloy was particularly insistent on video correspondence, when neither she or Zero were too exhausted, but in person updates were always preferential. Already, being home and surrounded by familiarity is helping her to relax.]
[ Zero's digging through Aloy's things to find the promised souvenir when she calls over her shoulder without really turning around. ]
Stop messing with all of that and sit down. Also take your shoes off.
[ She finds the dyes easily enough- the colors are bright, a unique sheen in the undertones of each color. Zero smiles to herself while still faced away, something warm and content settling in her stomach. ]
You're not off the hook yet.. but this is a start.
[ She sets them down for now and returns to her previously discarded work. Zero lights the little iron stove in the corner of their kitchen (the rudimentary appliances designed and built by Beta, the renovations to Rost's cabin were Aloy's work) and sets to work on the stew that Ivy had refused to allow her to work on. ]
Beta's been fine- busy, between all the shit she does all day and keep Alana from moping. She still hates Ivy if you were wondering.
[ Their eldest had not been pleased with no longer being an only child. Most kids didn't, so Zero had expected as much. What she hadn't expected was her ability to reach critical levels of annoying when it came to her displeasure. ]
Ivy's in the thick of teething, almost bit my nipple off the other day. She hasn't let anyone catch a wink of sleep for the last month- Beta feels bad about complaining but I know she's at her wits end. Can't blame her.
[ Bits of these things Aloy knows already from their near daily correspondences. For the most part Zero kept her informed; but there were some things she hadn't had the heart to share while Aloy was away.
For a moment she is quiet, intently focused on chopping a particularly large raddish. ]
I forgot to tell you- I got sick a few weeks back. Beta explained it, some shit with my lungs.. don't really remember the details. Varl came by and took Alana for a bit. It's mostly fine now.
[ She'd asked (threatened) them to keep quiet, not wanting to add to Aloy's stress. Shifting tides had created greater tension in some aspects and Aloy spent nearly every day trying to defuse bombs.
Neither Beta nor Varl had been comfortable with her request, but they'd both done it- even if only to keep her from working herself up and growing more ill. ]
Hm? I'm almost done... [She's well aware that arguing with Zero on this subject is pointless, however, and goes to sit on the floor beside Ivy, pulling off her boots and allowing the baby to climb all over her without even the murmur of complaint. To the baby, she says:] Did you hear that? We're almost off the hook. [She tickles her, smiling at her excited screaming and giggles.
Aloy busies herself with her child while she listens, one of the few people who seemed to never tire at her boundless energy and tendency to pull at hair.]
She'll warm to her eventually. She just needs the time. It took me a while to get used to Beta too, remember? — easy, easy! You're going to pull my hair from the root.
[This is said to Ivy.
Aloy seems as if she's going to let Zero's remark go, and then she speaks up, softly:]
[ She listens distantly to the ruckus behind her. All of this was so common she can easily fill in the gaps in between Aloy's unintentional narration- it's a helpful distraction from the anxiousness that she didn't expect to come. ]
Yeah.
[ The vegetables go in the pot with a quiet splash. The smell of bone broth and simmered meat. She takes her time in answering, fixating on the task of dinner for a moment. ]
Beta says I have to stop smoking. She made me this thing- I breath it in when I have coughing fits and they go away.
[ She turns around finally, resting her back against the counter. ]
She says it's manageable, just need to be careful in the winter. That's all.
[Being a mother and partner hasn't made Aloy lose her observant nature. On the contrary, it's been magnified. She quickly surmises then, that Zero had possibly forgotten to tell her directly, but she'd likely kept Beta from mentioning it. She and her sister had bickered about these things, early on in the stages of Zero's chronic bouts of illness. GAIA, having taken the role of mediator in their dynamic without either of them noticing, had sided with Beta. Patient-doctor confidentiality, she'd explained, and reluctantly, Aloy had agreed to keep out of it.
Early on, this would be cause for argument with Zero too, but the years have taught Aloy to choose her battles. And she's happy to be home, content to be with her rambunctious baby and with the easy flow of her conversation with Zero. To hassle her about her caginess would ruin things.]
Okay. [...] Okay. That's good. We'll have to keep it warm in here then — I'll get more firewood. We're lucky not to be further north, at least. I'm still getting the feeling back in my toes.
[Ivy is trying, with all her might, to climb up Aloy's back. She winces when she yanks at her hair, then stands up to walk toward Zero, keeping the baby supported on her back in a piggyback ride.] I can put the girls to bed now that I'm back. A brisk walk around, and this one will be out like a light.
[The lack of sleep couldn't be good for Zero's cough, she thinks.
Drawn to the food, she stares down the pot of simmering stew, grabbing a wooden ladle to try and steal a sip of broth.]
[ She lets this transgression pass unchecked because she feels guilty. In any other scenario she would whack Aloy's hand away with a wooden spoon (and with the same ferocity as she would in battle at that). ]
Slow your roll there pal- you just got back. Last thing I need is for you to be out of commission for another two months. We have enough wood for now and Beta got the hot water working. She's working on spreading the power of a good bath to the rest of the Nora, by the way-
[ Her eyes drift just slightly behind Aloy. Ivy peeks over her shoulder, resting her fat baby head on it- cheek smushed against Aloy. ]
I remember when I used to climb you like that.
[ There's a smug little smile forming on her face. ]
[Accustomed to having her hand smacked for sneaking food before dinner was ready, Aloy waits for the blow, pleased and surprised when it doesn't happen. She risks taking another sip, and then decides to not press her luck with a third.]
C'mon. After a few bickering werak chiefs and navigating a stuffy Carja retinue in the freezing cold? Putting the kids to bed's a breeze. And you, [She points the ladle at Zero.] need the rest too. [Any minor reprimand in these words is quickly diffused by Aloy's smile.] Glad to here Beta's hitting her stride. And that the Nora are accepting technology. Never thought I'd see the day...
[Aloy nuzzles her cheek against Ivy's, an absentminded gesture of affection. She trails off when she catches the meaning behind what Zero says next, both eyebrows raising.]
Now, now, don't start anything we can't finish. [... after a moment of thought, she adds, amused:] ... Though, you know, if you did let me take the kids out, they'd sleep through the night. You could give climbing me a shot again, for old time's sake.
[She leans in, kisses Zero's forehead, more annoying than flirtatious.]
[ She rolls her eyes at Aloy's attempt at being smooth- it lights something in her, the spark a combination of how long they've been apart and her own stubborn spirit. In response to Aloy's inquiry Zero leans in, kissing her on the mouth, finding both comfort and something less wholesome in the gesture. It's a deep kiss, slow as they come but her tongue is ruthless. When Zero pulls away there is still the thinnest line of saliva connecting them. ]
Yeah, should be.
[ Is all she offers in response.
She's moving again, this time to pull Ivy off of her back. ]
Go eat.
[ There is some resistance from Ivy, though it dissipates once she realizes Aloy isn't going further away than a few steps. ]>
It wasn't easy- Beta had to work them over. Never seen a group of people so spooked over plumbing.
[ She sits when Aloy does. Ivy tugs at the neckline of her clothing, as babies do when in close proximity to their food source. ]
There's a girl in the tribe who helped get them to agree. I don't think it's the plumbing that had her all worked up, if you catch my drift.
[It takes her by surprise, though it shouldn't. These games of one-upping one another had become less common as the two of them fell into the hectic life of raising two children, but their attraction for one another hadn't waned. The kiss is slow and thorough, and Aloy is flushed and out of breath by the end of it. Dumbfounded, she offers no resistance as Ivy is pulled away from her. As Zero leaves, however, she mutters under her breath:]
Jerk.
[It takes her a moment to remember what she was doing. She listens, eating while sitting with her back against the wall. These little habits were commonplace in her — as if she were always prepared to go somewhere else in a hurry. She's relaxed, despite this. The stew is good, the company better. She half-smiles at Zero's updates, only to look up, suddenly, at the remark about Beta.]
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no subject
She knows Aloy will scold her for it. But if she had to choose between a toddler's screaming and a compromised immune system, she'd choose the latter ten out of ten times. They spent the cooler months at the base usually. The scar's of Zero's sickness had never truly gone away and she was prone to illness.
But again she'd been brought to a crossroads: Take care of two children under five by herself, or suffer through a winter out east but with help. Often when Aloy was gone for this long Zero would accompany her or travel to Meridian with Alana. Traveling with one infant had been doable, traveling with a child and an infant was panic inducing.
Ivy will not allow Zero to hold her, but she demands they hold hands. When Aloy's figure is finally visible from further down the hill she raises her hand and flexes her fingers- the prequel to an actual wave. Zero almost forgets this infant has been the bane of her existence for the last two months.
Ivy tugs and whines, again not wanting to let go of Zero's hand but very clearly wanting to propel the both of them forward. She gives in, and once they're in talking distance Ivy fights Zero's grip and Zero concedes.
Ivy hobbles toward Aloy. ]
Well you're a sight for sore eyes.
[ With age their reunions have become less fraught, much warmer. ]
no subject
Aloy's smile is warm and relieved. She leans forward to press a kiss to Zero's temple.]
The same to you. [A moment later, and her expression sobers some.] You didn't come out here just for me, did you? You'll both catch a chill.
[As predicted, she's scolding.]
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It was this or letting her cry her lungs out.
[ Zero has gotten better at being a part of things so she stays close to Aloy as they begin their short trek back up to the cabin, craving closeness after so long apart.]
Beta took pity on me and took Alana with her into the village. They've both been needy-
[ She nods toward Ivy, babbling happily as if a part of the conversation. ]
But they're bad at sharing.
[ Usually, when Aloy would return home from a longer trip it would be different- the house warm and cozy, food and a hot bath already prepared. But instead the cabin is littered with toys and half cleaned messes from the tantrums of two children. ]
I'd say sorry about the mess, they're your kids- so maybe you should say sorry to me.
[ She's only half joking. ]
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[She wags her finger, smiling when Ivy grabs it and tries, as babies did, to immediately put it into her mouth. Her pace stays level with Zero and while the mess is uncharacteristic, she doesn't complain — setting down both Ivy and her travel pack. Her first gift she hands to the baby, who sets to the work of chewing on the toy Grazer with comically serious focus, appeased by both the return to status quo and a new trinket to fixate on.]
The weather was worse than I thought. [She says to Zero, beginning to pick up the clutter without being asked. Travel had worn her out, but it was, she'd found, not comparable to rearing two small children who got into everything.] I wanted to be back weeks ago, but even GAIA told me to stay put. Lots of avalanches this year.
[She gives Zero a sheepish smile.] Does it help that I come bearing gifts? Look in my pack; there's something for you.
[She adds, after a little while of picking up clutter:] And no trips for the spring, I hope. The tribes are starting to figure out their own problems.
Have you been alright? And Beta? Catch me up on things.
[They all regularly communicated during her trips through the Focus network. Aloy was particularly insistent on video correspondence, when neither she or Zero were too exhausted, but in person updates were always preferential. Already, being home and surrounded by familiarity is helping her to relax.]
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Stop messing with all of that and sit down. Also take your shoes off.
[ She finds the dyes easily enough- the colors are bright, a unique sheen in the undertones of each color. Zero smiles to herself while still faced away, something warm and content settling in her stomach. ]
You're not off the hook yet.. but this is a start.
[ She sets them down for now and returns to her previously discarded work. Zero lights the little iron stove in the corner of their kitchen (the rudimentary appliances designed and built by Beta, the renovations to Rost's cabin were Aloy's work) and sets to work on the stew that Ivy had refused to allow her to work on. ]
Beta's been fine- busy, between all the shit she does all day and keep Alana from moping. She still hates Ivy if you were wondering.
[ Their eldest had not been pleased with no longer being an only child. Most kids didn't, so Zero had expected as much. What she hadn't expected was her ability to reach critical levels of annoying when it came to her displeasure. ]
Ivy's in the thick of teething, almost bit my nipple off the other day. She hasn't let anyone catch a wink of sleep for the last month- Beta feels bad about complaining but I know she's at her wits end. Can't blame her.
[ Bits of these things Aloy knows already from their near daily correspondences. For the most part Zero kept her informed; but there were some things she hadn't had the heart to share while Aloy was away.
For a moment she is quiet, intently focused on chopping a particularly large raddish. ]
I forgot to tell you- I got sick a few weeks back. Beta explained it, some shit with my lungs.. don't really remember the details. Varl came by and took Alana for a bit. It's mostly fine now.
[ She'd asked (threatened) them to keep quiet, not wanting to add to Aloy's stress. Shifting tides had created greater tension in some aspects and Aloy spent nearly every day trying to defuse bombs.
Neither Beta nor Varl had been comfortable with her request, but they'd both done it- even if only to keep her from working herself up and growing more ill. ]
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Aloy busies herself with her child while she listens, one of the few people who seemed to never tire at her boundless energy and tendency to pull at hair.]
She'll warm to her eventually. She just needs the time. It took me a while to get used to Beta too, remember? — easy, easy! You're going to pull my hair from the root.
[This is said to Ivy.
Aloy seems as if she's going to let Zero's remark go, and then she speaks up, softly:]
Mostly?
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Yeah.
[ The vegetables go in the pot with a quiet splash. The smell of bone broth and simmered meat. She takes her time in answering, fixating on the task of dinner for a moment. ]
Beta says I have to stop smoking. She made me this thing- I breath it in when I have coughing fits and they go away.
[ She turns around finally, resting her back against the counter. ]
She says it's manageable, just need to be careful in the winter. That's all.
no subject
Early on, this would be cause for argument with Zero too, but the years have taught Aloy to choose her battles. And she's happy to be home, content to be with her rambunctious baby and with the easy flow of her conversation with Zero. To hassle her about her caginess would ruin things.]
Okay. [...] Okay. That's good. We'll have to keep it warm in here then — I'll get more firewood. We're lucky not to be further north, at least. I'm still getting the feeling back in my toes.
[Ivy is trying, with all her might, to climb up Aloy's back. She winces when she yanks at her hair, then stands up to walk toward Zero, keeping the baby supported on her back in a piggyback ride.] I can put the girls to bed now that I'm back. A brisk walk around, and this one will be out like a light.
[The lack of sleep couldn't be good for Zero's cough, she thinks.
Drawn to the food, she stares down the pot of simmering stew, grabbing a wooden ladle to try and steal a sip of broth.]
no subject
Slow your roll there pal- you just got back. Last thing I need is for you to be out of commission for another two months. We have enough wood for now and Beta got the hot water working. She's working on spreading the power of a good bath to the rest of the Nora, by the way-
[ Her eyes drift just slightly behind Aloy. Ivy peeks over her shoulder, resting her fat baby head on it- cheek smushed against Aloy. ]
I remember when I used to climb you like that.
[ There's a smug little smile forming on her face. ]
no subject
C'mon. After a few bickering werak chiefs and navigating a stuffy Carja retinue in the freezing cold? Putting the kids to bed's a breeze. And you, [She points the ladle at Zero.] need the rest too. [Any minor reprimand in these words is quickly diffused by Aloy's smile.] Glad to here Beta's hitting her stride. And that the Nora are accepting technology. Never thought I'd see the day...
[Aloy nuzzles her cheek against Ivy's, an absentminded gesture of affection. She trails off when she catches the meaning behind what Zero says next, both eyebrows raising.]
Now, now, don't start anything we can't finish. [... after a moment of thought, she adds, amused:] ... Though, you know, if you did let me take the kids out, they'd sleep through the night. You could give climbing me a shot again, for old time's sake.
[She leans in, kisses Zero's forehead, more annoying than flirtatious.]
Food for thought.
Is the stew almost ready?
no subject
Yeah, should be.
[ Is all she offers in response.
She's moving again, this time to pull Ivy off of her back. ]
Go eat.
[ There is some resistance from Ivy, though it dissipates once she realizes Aloy isn't going further away than a few steps. ]>
It wasn't easy- Beta had to work them over. Never seen a group of people so spooked over plumbing.
[ She sits when Aloy does. Ivy tugs at the neckline of her clothing, as babies do when in close proximity to their food source. ]
There's a girl in the tribe who helped get them to agree. I don't think it's the plumbing that had her all worked up, if you catch my drift.
no subject
Jerk.
[It takes her a moment to remember what she was doing. She listens, eating while sitting with her back against the wall. These little habits were commonplace in her — as if she were always prepared to go somewhere else in a hurry. She's relaxed, despite this. The stew is good, the company better. She half-smiles at Zero's updates, only to look up, suddenly, at the remark about Beta.]
What? Who?