[Closed]

[familysucks]

Who: Michael & Aloy; Michael & Wanda; Michael & Nanaue
What: Closed prompts for the month
When: April
Where: Solvunn
Warnings: None at the moment, will add as required

Comments

[familysucks]

Agreed.

[Though Michael is usually one for seeing a job through, today there are no arguments from him. It's a deal. She makes her own food, and he'll reassure the locals that there's no reason to go stomping out all the way out into the woods to check on her.

Michael continues standing, both because archangels don't really tire and because there don't seem to be a whole lot of seating options around Aloy's camp, or at least not on this side of it. Perhaps it's to discourage visitors from overstaying their welcome. He figures she can tell him outright if she wants him to leave—or simply make an excuse and disappear back behind her home. The talk of repercussions to recent events is enough to keep him here for the moment, however.]

That's possible, though Solvunn's own people were also taken. Would you demand revenge, in their place?

[lightkeeping]

I don't know.

[Unfortunately, Aloy isn't accustomed to having guests, so she doesn't invite Michael to sit down--if he wants to, he can, but his options are mostly logs. She, on the other hand, busies herself while he talks, going back to the chores she was doing before the interruption.

Aloy would be lying if she said she didn't sometimes want revenge. She doesn't particularly relish death or killing, but she also knows that sometimes it's necessary. When it's the government doing it, however, it sits less well with her.]

Do you think they'll do a better job of protecting their citizens from zealots on the inside, next time?

[A council that's not willing to do that has no right enacting such revenge.]

[familysucks]

[Michael wouldn't mind a log perch, but his ego likes the extra height standing affords him. This body is already so much smaller and ground-bound than he should be.

Since he hasn't been invited to help, he's satisfied to observe Aloy as she works; see what goes into maintaining a homestead outside of the Settlements. He's no different from the birds watching from the trees, except that he's slightly chattier.]

You do realize they're all zealots, don't you?

[Of a different flavour to Josselyn Creed's madness, sure, but Solvunn's leaders are zealots nonetheless. Michael recognizes fellow fanatics. If the Council or the Elders believed their gods wanted Summoned flesh instead of Summoned labour, he's sure they'd all have found themselves pulled out of the well and straight onto a sacrificial altar.

He can't guarantee the faces that have gone missing from Solvunn haven't met exactly that fate, for that matter.]

I believe they'll make an effort and think it enough, but that we may not agree with them that their methods amount to anything. [Refer to: bone wreaths. He waves a hand towards her 'gift'.] They could offer more concrete means for Summoned to protect themselves.

[lightkeeping]

Well, yeah.

[But if she has to choose, she'll take the elders, for now. Aloy's homestead doesn't imply as much, but she's ready to pack up and go should the situation become untenable--she'd rather take her chances in the wilderness. It's possible that the only thing keeping her here is the fact that many of the villagers and other Summoned wouldn't be able to protect themselves, should the worst happen.

It seems Michael has a similar idea--or, at least, the same train of thought.]

We can't count on them to do that. I can make weapons and train people, but not everyone wants to learn.

[familysucks]

[At least Aloy is realistic about the kinds of people they're dealing with, both local and Summoned. Michael gives a nod of approval. They're on the same page.]

And of those willing to learn, not all are fit for combat. [Just a fact of life. Some people don't have the nerves or coordination for it.] Perhaps the first step would be organizing the Summoned into groups, in the event of another incident. Pair those who can fight with those who who have other skills.

['With those who need protecting', is what he's really thinking, but he can admit there are other useful talents out there in Solvunn. They have a doctor now, and quite a few others who are at least competent in basic first aid.]

[lightkeeping]

[She shrugs, figuring there isn't much more to say in that department. Sure, Aloy could probably squeeze some defensive skills out of just about anyone and it would be better than nothing, but he's right in that it could be a lot of effort for little results. Still...]

It might not hurt to try. Even just survival skills.

[She doubts that as many would survive the kidnapping ordeal without people like her and Steve Rogers and Geralt, those who knew how to build shelter and find food.]

People think they're safe just because they're in the settlement. That's not true anymore.