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Alva sighed loudly as she stretched her arms over her head. Her stomach was telling her that she had been reviewing data all morning and had lost track of the time. A person could get absolutely lost in all this knowledge. With a bright smile, she walked out to the common room to see what was available to eat. She had only arrived at the Base a few days ago, but already she felt at ease around this eclectic group.
Zo was at the counter prepping some food, so Alva stepped up to ask if she could help. Zo smiled and set her the task of cutting vegetables for a stew she was preparing.
As Alva finished slicing a carrot, she saw Aloy and Erend cross the room. “They make a good team,” Alva commented to Zo as she put the carrots into the pot.
Zo looked up and noticed who Alva was talking about. “Oh, yes. They do, even if they have some unusual methods of getting things done.”
Alva watched Erend walk closely behind Aloy. “This is a terrible plan,” he said, strapping his hammer on his back.
“It will work, Erend. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come.” Aloy turned her head to look at Erend. “Now hurry up—Kotallo is waiting for us.”
“I said I’d help, and I will. But just so you know, some of your ideas—”
“Are what?” Aloy stopped walking to stare at Erend, her brow raised in a challenge.
Erend gestured with hands as his voice raised slightly. “Aloy! Do you remember the case of Blaze?”
“That was just the one time.” Aloy grinned slyly at him. “And besides, it worked.”
Erend laughed loudly. “It did, didn’t it.”
Their voices continued down the hall until Alva couldn’t hear them anymore. She turned to Zo and asked, “Should we be worried?”
Zo shrugged. “I’ve given up.”
Alva snorted and turned back to the vegetables.
A day later, the group returned. Alva was in the archive room reviewing some more data when she heard a commotion in the common room. She quickly stepped out to discover what the noise was about.
“See, it worked.” Aloy was saying.
The second explosion was a little unnecessary, Aloy.” Erend said.
“Maybe, but it did make the rock smaller and easier to move. Besides, your hair will grow back. Here, sit. I’ll take care of it.”
Erend mumbled something Alva couldn’t hear, but he sat on one of the benches. His face was dirty and a little red. He gingerly touched above his eye, where Alva could see no longer had much of an eyebrow. One of his muttonchops also seemed to be a little shorter, and the strip of hair on the top of his head looked a little crisp.
Kotallo sat at the counter, watching the pair as he poured himself a cup of water. Alva went over and sat next to him.
“So, how was it?” Alva asked him.
“It was…chaotic.” Kotallo took a sip of water as he watched Aloy tend to Erend. “I wanted a small trophy to take back. A piece of the Bulwark, but those two decided that larger was better.”
“How big of a piece did you get?” Alva questioned as she watched Erend shut his eyes as Aloy cleaned his face. The pure contentment on his face made Alva smile.
Kotallo looked at Alva. “Let’s just say we’re still working out how to get it up the cliff.”
Alva’s eyes widened. “How did you get it back here?”
“A Bristleback helped,” Kotallo said.
“So, what are you going to do?” Alva questioned.
“Erend says he knows a way.” Kotallo shrugged. “According to him, Oseram move heavy things all the time, so he’s going to construct something to lift it up the cliff.”
Alva nodded; it made sense. “So, where’s the rock now?”
“Sitting at the bottom of the cliff.” Kotallo refilled his glass.
“All this—for a rock.” Alva shook her head. “No offense.”
Kotallo grinned as he drank. “None taken.”
“Ouch Aloy!” Erend called from across the room.
“Sorry, but you moved,” Aloy said as she finished applying what looked like a salve on his head. “Okay, you’ll live. A few burns but nothing serious that I can see.”
“Thanks.” Erend touched his head gingerly. “I’m going to go get a drink, and then I’ll work on the pully system. Shouldn’t take too long—you do have rope?”
“We have rope,” Aloy replied. She patted his knee as she stood. “When we passed by Rukka earlier, she said Peddalo might have some nails and supplies that would be useful. I’m going to go trade, and I’ll meet you outside by the rock in a few.”
Erend nodded, and Alva noticed that he tenderly rubbed his knee where Aloy had touched him. Alva smiled knowingly. They were quite the cute couple, if a little chaotic. She sighed softly—she missed Federa terribly. But Alva knew what she was doing here would help all the people she cared about back home. And though Alva longed to be with those she loved, helping Aloy was where she needed to be.
“As entertaining as it was with those two. I look forward to being done.” Kotallo said as he stood. “I’m going to go assist Erend.”
“Right.” Alva paused. “I can start on some dinner for everyone.”
“If you don’t mind.” Kotallo nodded his thanks and left.
Alva stood to rummage through their supplies. She decided on vegetable dumplings since Zo didn’t seem to eat meat. Alva was glad for the opportunity to eat something other than fish. She was searching for the spices when Zo and Varl entered the room.
“Oh, good, we were just talking about food,” Varl said.
“I’m going to cook up some dumplings—there should be plenty,” Alva replied.
The pair walked over. “Do you want help?” Zo asked.
“Sure.” Alva motioned for her to come around. “Can you show me what spices you used yesterday? These are all different from what the Quen use.”
Zo smiled. “I’d be delighted. Varl, can you check on the others and see when they’ll be done?”
Varl nodded. “Sure. I’m so curious to see how it’s going.” He gave Zo a quick kiss on the cheek and walked toward the western entrance.
“Now spices. Here, I’ll show you.” Zo walked around the counter.
Alva watched as Zo indicated the various combinations to complement each vegetable. She had to resist the urge to write down notes and instead made plenty of mental ones. Alva had never been much of a cook, as it wasn’t the job of a Diviner to prep meals. But being here at the Base, watching the others, made Alva want to learn. And she found herself enjoying it.
As they prepped the dough and began filling the dumplings, Zo poured them some wine she had brought back from Plainsong.
“This isn’t that bad,” Alva said as she took another sip. “Lighter than I was expecting.”
Zo smiled. “It is rather refreshing.”
“There are so many new things to try.” Alva sighed happily. “Federa would never believe everything that I’ve learned.”
“Who’s Federa?” Zo asked as her hands pinched the dough.
“Oh, she’s someone back home.” Alva blushed. “We are…close.”
“Ah.” Zo grinned. “It must be hard to be away for so long.”
Alva nodded with a heavy sigh. “It is, but what I’m doing here is important and world-saving.”
“It is,” Zo said. “We are happy you have joined us.”
Alva opened her mouth to respond, but Varl stepped into the room and called out to them. “The rock is up the cliff, thanks to Erend. I’m going to go help them move it inside.”
Zo shook her head amusedly. “Dinner will be ready when the four of you are done.”
“Thanks. We shouldn’t be too long.” Varl gave a quick wave and left.
Alva chuckled as she watched him leave. “How long have you and Varl been together?”
“Only a few months.” Zo touched her heart. “And yet it feels like we’ve known each other for years.”
“That’s really sweet.”
Zo nodded. “It’s strange meeting someone when the world might be ending, but some seeds will grow no matter the conditions.”
“I hear that,” Alva said. “Federa and I were rivals at the academy. I thought I hated her until one day…well, sometimes all we need is a little push in the right direction.”
Zo reached over and squeezed Alva’s arm affectionately. “True.”
Alva finished her drink as she watched Zo fry the dumplings. “What about Aloy and Erend? How long have they been together?”
Zo looked up at Alva. “Aloy and Erend are not a pair,” she said.
Alva raised her eyes. “Really?”
Zo chuckled. “Yes. Though I can see how you might think that.”
“Interesting.” Alva pursed her lips in thought as she began to set out the dishes for everyone.
The next day, Alva was in the archive room studying some of the data they had acquired from the Greenhouse when Aloy came in. Alva quickly faced and smiled at her new friend. “Aloy,” she greeted warmly.
Aloy grinned. “I wanted to check in—make sure everything was going well.”
“Yes.” Alva moved her hands excitedly. “What I’ve already found is incredible, and I feel like I’ve only just started.”
Aloy chuckled. “I’m glad.”
“Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. Zo has been teaching me to cook, Kotallo is attempting to teach me to defend myself.”
“And Erend?” Aloy questioned as she fiddled with her fingers.
Alva had to hide a grin at the mention. “Oh, he has promised to share an ale with me. I’m really curious to taste an Oseram drink.”
“I’m sure Erend would happily share an ale with you.” Aloy chuckled. “Though you might have to hear all about the making of it.”
“Oh?” Alva responded eagerly. “I’d actually really like that.”
Aloy raised her hand. “I’m sure you would.”
Alva bit her lip as she swiftly decided something. “But don’t worry, I’ll be sure not to take too much of his time while you’re around.”
Aloy’s brow furrowed. “Why would I care?”
“Well, I know you’re very busy, and your time is limited.” Alva took a breath as she put on a mask of concern. “It must be hard to leave him all the time.”
Aloy looked at Alva, confused. “I don’t follow.”
“Being apart from Erend—it must be difficult.” Alva titled her head.
“Why?” Aloy began to shuffle her feet nervously.
“Aren’t you…together?” Alva shrugged as she tried to play innocent.
Aloy quickly lifted her hand. “Erend…and me—oh, uh no.”
“Oh, sorry, I just assumed—anyway, not a big deal,” Alva commented quickly as she waved her hands to dismiss the topic.
“Wait, why did you assume?” Aloy asked, curiosity etched on her face.
“Well, I mean—” Alva paused. “Look, do you want my honest opinion?”
“Of course,” Aloy said, her voice firm.
“Okay, it’s the way you both look at each other. The communication without talking…you know, the seamless way you both just know each other.” Alva scratched her chin, hoping she sounded sincere.
“Oh,” Aloy said, surprise evident in her voice as she took a step back.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make assumptions.” Alva rubbed her arm nervously.
“No, it’s okay.” Aloy bit her lip, and Alva saw her take a deep breath. “I never thought of it like that.”
Alva had to push down the feeling of triumph and decided it was a good time to change the subject. “Actually, before you leave, there's something I'd like to discuss with you?”
“Oh?” Aloy looked up.
“So, as I was sifting through data from the Greenhouse, I found references to an Old World system back in the Great Delta. It’s called Leviathan.” Alva told Aloy what she had discovered. They discussed Leviathan and where they might find more information. Alva felt considerable relief as she realized she might be able to help her people back home much sooner than she thought. She spent the rest of the day researching Eileen Sasaki and where they might find her research.
The next day, Alva walked through the common room. Erend was in his usual spot by the Strike board, and Zo and Varl were talking by the counter. Aloy walked out of her room with her weapons in hand. She walked up to Erend, who stood quickly in her presence.
Alva stopped to watch the exchange. She wasn’t near enough to hear the conversation, but Alva watched as Aloy brushed her hand down Erend’s arm. Aloy then stepped back and fiddled with her hands as Erend rushed to the bunks and came out with his hammer. A bright grin plastered on his face.
Together, Aloy and Erend made their way to the eastern door. Aloy called back loudly to the group, “We’re going hunting—be back later.”
Zo and Varl waved goodbye, and the pair left quickly. Alva had not failed to notice that Aloy was definitely looking a little differently at Erend. She smiled knowingly. Sometimes, people just needed that little extra push.