Title: fuel the pyre of your enemies
Fandom: Horizon Zero Dawn
Rating: Teen & Up
Length: 329
Pairing: Aloy/Vanasha if you squint, insinuations of Aloy/Ersa/Avad
Summary: Aloy explores the Sun Palace.


The grill - vent? - decoration? - on the balcony is made out of loops of shining metal. Like screens the Nora use, but ... if she gets close to touch it, she can look down at closed courtyard below without being seen. It's empty now, but she's sure this is one of those secret places that'll prove useful somehow.

"Well well well, what do we have here?"

Aloy startles like a flushed turkey, one hand closing around her spear - she doesn't draw it from her back, but it's a close thing, the action stayed only because she recognises the voice.

"Vanasha!"

"Uh-uh, little flame, we don't take lightly to strangers sneaking around the Palace's sanctum."

Aloy turns. It's not easiest maneuver she's ever made - Vanasha is close and not stepping back at all to give her room. She's dressed in her silks, doing nothing but standing, watching (and smirking, but that's just what Vanasha does) but she has her pinned against the balcony's edge nevertheless.

"Even if they're invited?" Which she has been. Since she first talked to Avad, she thinks - certainly had no trouble walking in after that, even if she took the route that avoided the waiting nobles - but there was definitely an invitation to return after bringing Ersa back in mostly one piece. From Erend and Avad. And Ersa always seems happy to see her, so ...

"To watch the Sun Queen in her personal courtyard?"

What. She isn't - Aloy didn't - a personal courtyard? It's larger than two lodges put together, how can it -

"What."

Vanasha's eyes sparkle, jewels on cloth catching the sun. Aloy doesn't trust them. "Fine tradition. Usually reserved for the Sun King, but ..." And she's smirking again. Pointedly smirking. Smirking and insinuating that Avad and Ersa want her to – and she’s having fun watching the blush spread across her face like chillwater escaping a Snapmaw.

She groans.

"You're the worst person I know."