It was strange really, how one person could be such a presence and constant for background noise, that when that person was gone, it was like this huge vacuum; Erend, Erend and his nonstop talking and mumbling to himself while reading and learning on his Focus, along with any ear-splitting music he wished to play had left a void. It also seemed incredibly weird that the place where Varl would stand and work on his Focus was just, empty. It was different with Aloy, because she was back only mere moments before going again, her presence wasn't so obviously missed within the base; within the company that resided however, yes, because of course they missed their one-woman army redheaded friend.
Nureka deposited her helmet in her room, bypassed Kotallo and made a beeline for Alva's room, the dark haired Quen looked up surprised from having the Banuk Shaman so suddenly swing around the doorframe smiling her way. "I'm cooking dinner in a bit, are you hungry?" Nureka asked while her eyes did drift around the small trinkets which were in this room. They were items which had been salvaged from Old World buildings of importance, a statue here, a statue there; some of a ship, another of...what looked like a bird in flight, Nureka wasn't going to question what the Old Ones thought art was or what was aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Of course, the rest of the room itself was of interest, not that Nureka ventured in here often; but rows upon rows of blinking lights within consoles lined the room, a main column of light and holographic information was in the middle of the room, and this was what Alva was currently working with when Nureka appeared. "Do you need any help?" Alva asked kindly, although still sounding a little uncertain whether she truly wished to cook with Nureka, or rather, to leave the safety of her room.
Nureka got the sense that though kind and soft spoken, much like Zo, Alva could very well stick up for herself; however, Nureka also got the sense that she had become so used to being pushed to the background, that she seemed quite content to stay there, hiding away unless she was needed. Nureka, stubborn and determined as she was, couldn't get rid of those mousey habits, but she could force the poor female to talk more...to her, or anyone else, Nureka was being selfish, that and she didn't totally like silence. Awkward silence, that is, which it sometimes was with Alva, unless that was just her.
"It would be nice! At least this way we can give Zo a break. She is...well, I don't wish to say she seems to resort to a worried mother, but she does have that habit with food."
"I think it's more her doing that on purpose, to annoy Erend." Having only his own room to return to, Kotallo did venture over. He believed they were to ask Gaia for assistance but even from across the room, Kotallo heard mention of Nureka offering to cook dinner. That wasn't to say he was hesitant about her cooking, he was sure she could, but it was more he was curious to see how she was fairing with trying to pry Alva out of her shell.
Unfortunately, all that seemed to happen, and all he got was a look shot his way by Nureka when Alva just laughed awkwardly and shook her head, even hesitantly turning to look at the column behind her before looking back. "I feel like Erend hasn't quite learned that is what her intentions are." Alva said thoughtfully. Even she had witnessed the interactions between the rather loud Oseram and the quietly, yet meaningfully spoken Utaru.
"A plant-based diet isn't...that isn't for Oserams, just, no. You spend enough time around them, and you'll definitely know that." Nureka defended with a slight shrug. In all honesty, she could see why Erend would find Zo's pushing of purely almost vegetables his way irritating and unappetising. Him and his people were boisterous, kind and a bit blunt at times, but were known for a few certain things, and one of those things was definitely not being basically a vegetarian. However, the ale they brewed...Nureka's eyes widened slowly at that thought, and would it be mean if they partook in a little of Erend's home-brew without him? Perhaps yes, but at the same time...
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Clearly suddenly being a mind reader, Kotallo just shook his head slowly. Although his words just made Nureka laugh and earn a chuckle from Alva. "You do not wish to venture into his side of the room. Regardless for ale, or not." What could he say? His roommate was messy. A burning candle was dangerously close to his blanket at one point. Really, it wasn't tidy. Another bay had been set aside for Alva, and though she had put few belongings in there, she didn't seem to really sleep in there. Kotallo couldn't entirely blame her, he really couldn't.
"So...no to Erend's ale, and yes to giving Zo a break from seemingly wanting to make dinner." Nureka said, while waving a finger from side to side in the air thoughtfully.
"That sounds like a plan," Alva agreed with a sure nod, although she did look past them and towards the closed door where Zo was currently residing. "She should be told if we're planning dinner though."
"She won't get mad if we take the job from her, for once. Plus! I miss cooking. I used to do it all the time back home! Although...I don't actually know what we have, in the way of supplies here..." Now that was a troubling thought, although Nureka knew Kotallo said no to venturing out, if they needed meat, they'd need to hunt. Slowly rolling her eyes to the side and looking upwards, a sheepish smile appeared on her face whereas Kotallo's ever stony disposition remained, even though he did exhale slowly. He caught the meaning of her words, well enough, and he turned away and stalked his way back to the small area they used to cook and prepare meals in. Nureka tilted her head and watched him go, frowning she held a hand up and called his name, Kotallo turned and looked back towards the two females. "Can you cook? What? It's a fair question! Don't look at me like that..." Nureka said when all she received was silence and slowly narrowing eyes. "He should be used to my sometimes-odd questions by now..."
"Maybe it wasn't the question, but the insinuation behind it." Alva offered with a smile, Nureka's head snapped back to look at her so quickly, Alva was surprised she didn't hear at least some sort of click from her neck.
Nureka waved a finger, she may have a point, true, and with a quick bye to Alva, Nureka darted off and rushed out a very rambled apology in case she hurt Kotallo's feelings in some way, and he just stood, listened and raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm not offended." Was his simple response, his hand pausing in shutting one of the cupboard doors as he watched her process his words. "You wished to hunt?"
"I never said that, exactly. I wished to perhaps test my armour out some more, plus find parts for you." Nureka corrected, even though she recalled her words of going further than the base more for his benefit...and the nesting Sunwings, they needed a break from the very lethal Tenakth warrior before her.
Kotallo seemed to weigh both options up before figuring both benefitted and aided the other. Shutting the cupboard and gesturing back the way they had come, he almost blinked and missed Nureka's turning and darting off again. Did she ever slow down? He wasn't sure in this moment, she seemed rather excitable. He walked back towards the exit, while Nureka explained to Alva what they were doing, and that they wouldn't be long. Kotallo was unsure how right that was, it all depended on what game was nearby.
Regardless, he sideward glanced Nureka's way when she reappeared by his side. He was going to comment she had forgotten to collect her helmet, only to see her reach up and slip it back on. Fidgeting with it for a moment or two to make sure it was comfortable before stepping back outside, Nureka was more than prepared to go hunting. She had asked Alva if she could risk perhaps waking Zo from a possible rest to say where they had gone. Nureka was expecting to come back and to see both preparing for whatever they would bring home.
Nureka's boot scuffed against the rocky ground beneath her, what if they didn't get anything? Her nose scrunched up at that, admittedly, she may not have minded the rather greenish hued dinner Zo usually prepared, but even she was growing a little bored too. Deciding to forego the rope to scale the cliff face with more ease, Nureka just followed Kotallo's lead and started climbing down. The woodland around them seemed full of life, from the tweeting of birds in the trees, to the distant machine sounds, but also the scuttling feet of animals.
