Inbox

[theunluckygirl]

[it's an automated voice recording.]

Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system. [A hesitant British voice picks up here] Jennifer? is not available. At the tone please record your message. When you have finished recording you may hang up or press 1 for more options.

Comments

[theunluckygirl]

[oh.

oh boy.

Jennifer feels her face turning bright red as the image of Aloy on the device comes flashing through her mind again. It takes her a good minute or two to calm herself down from her embarrassment]

Well. I did notice everything else. You'd just gotten out of the shower, after all. I didn't mean to look, but it was sort of hard not to? I'm sorry.

I'm rambling a little now, I'm sorry.

[despitethenora]

Are you sending me an "I'm sorry" every time you look at me again?

[theunluckygirl]

It's in the message box. I see it everytime I open to respond. I can't quite avoid looking at it.

You look very nice?

I'm sorry, I'm terribly flustered right now.

[despitethenora]

[That one isn't just being polite; for once, Aloy can practically hear the other young woman in what she reads. Terribly flustered sounds like Jennifer.]

I do look nice.
If it helps, I think you'd look nice with your hair down, too.

[theunluckygirl]

[there's a decent 5 or more minutes before Jennifer responds and when she does it's with a slightly crooked picture in the mirror, of herself, her hair down and her face bright red.

She's been trying to figure out how to take a decent purposeful selfie for that entire time.]

I don't usually wear it down. It feels strange and not quite proper, I suppose?

[despitethenora]

[Did Aloy just get the Jennifer equivalent of nudes? Aloy thinks she just got Jennifer's nudes. Oh no, the blushing is cute.]

Another cultural thing, like the baths?

Maybe you just need some time with it down, and it will stop feeling so strange.

Maybe I'll take you out, and you'll wear your hair down.

[theunluckygirl]

I think it might be a 'me' thing rather than a cultural one. People wear their hair in all sorts of different styles where I'm from. Short or long, down or up in all sorts of styles.

I just feel strange having it down, I suppose because I almost never do. My hair is long, so it gets in the way. Maybe a braid like yours' would be nice once in a while though.

[Oh.

Oh wait. Was... Was Aloy asking her out somewhere? She considers the rest of the message, her heart pounding and she's suddenly glad that text can't convey how surprised she is about all of this]

I could do that for you.

[She hits send before she chickens out]

[despitethenora]

It can get in the way, and I think the braids do help. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to keep it out of my face.

[With every message Aloy finds it is easier to send another in that vein. She finds herself immensely pleased with the answer, but not all that nervous. The days of being shunned by people seem to be over.]

If you could, then I think you should do that for me.

Where do you want to go? I think somewhere quiet, but I'm the one with the tattoo. You'll have an easier time getting us places.

Just, if it's quiet -- I can show you how to do my braids.

[theunluckygirl]

I was going to ask if you ever thought of cutting it short, but I do like it long on you. It's nice.

Oh, right, I forgot about that. There are some very nice indoor gardens here. There's one that has the most beautiful roses. And there are quiet, private rooms. No one really seems to go there much anyhow.

You could show me how to do your braids there?

[despitethenora]

Thanks. There are times I thought about it, but I'm used to it. People have recognized me as "the red-hair," so I might as well run with it.

We'll go there. And I will show you the braids there. Bring some feathers or beads, and thread, too.