Now that Aether was back home with Gaia, the subordinate function that was the cause for so much weather issues, finally seemed to have settled down. There was no heavy snow outside the door, no distant thunder looming on the horizon; no grey storm clouds looking to come rolling in with high winds, it was actually rather peaceful. The last anyone in the base heard, was that Aloy was trying to recover Poseidon, but the AI was hiding somewhere that was ironically in a desert, but also out of reach.

Being the tinkerer of the group, Nureka was not totally surprised that one day a transmission came through asking for her advice. Though it sounded like Aloy had met some interesting Oseram out in the place formerly known as Las Vegas, she still wasn't entirely sure whether what they were scheming between them would actually work.

Back home, oftentimes, Nureka was the one entrusted to strip machines for parts, that was a part of being a Shaman, well another part at least. Ice-drills, enhanced and mechanised weaponry was one thing, but something that could breathe underwater? Something like that had never crossed Nureka's mind before. She was used to ice, ice which was sometimes too thick to drill through. Even if it did crack, the water would be so cold, freezing in fact that swimming was a no. Even the small rivers and streams of Ban-Ur were a frigid temperature that would surely freeze anyone's toes and fingers off if they were in it for long enough.

"I could travel out and help you? It may seem like a bit of a silly thing to suggest, but I'll throw the suggestion out anyway." Nureka said while walking around the base, of course her words had caught the attention of at least one of her friends. Erend for one turned in his seat to watch her every move like a hawk. "Plus, any machine parts which are left over, I could always bring back here. The way I see it, is that the more parts laying around for enhancing our gear the better."

"You really don't have to do that, Nureka. As a counteroffer, how about I bring back the parts instead?" Was Aloy's response, kind as ever yet also with a slight hesitance. It wasn't that the redhead disliked relying on people, but there was a want to avoid pulling people into things that could cause them harm. Aloy knew full well that Nureka hadn't explored the lands they now found themselves in. Varl had been a little further than her, Erend hadn't exactly. But if he knew Oseram were around, he'd no doubt want to find them and get to know them.

Nureka sighed and placed her hands on her hips as she tilted her head, the Focus now glowing a faint purple against her temple was temporarily hidden by her hair from this action. "Someone told me, just the other day, that we can all help each other out while we're here."

"That sounds suspiciously wise."

Nureka chuckled a little at that, she also nodded even though Aloy couldn't see the action. "Kotallo is apparently a well of wisdom. Who even knew?" She asked, hearing a quiet laugh from Aloy's end. Though even Nureka could tell that she was relieved that the Tenakth was socialising with the people around him. Nureka could very well sense the stoic, broodiness that seemed to radiate his general aura, but also, the times she had spent with him, he'd been nothing but polite, even a little funny with the sarcasm but insightful.

It was clear that said Tenakth had heard this as Nureka walked past the room he frequented the most. There was a look sent her way, a slight shake of the head and she could be wrong, but a tiny smirk seemed to be tugging at his lips. Case and point, though he could clearly carry the bearing of intimidating warrior, he could also be laidback enough to humour her joking, even if it was slightly at his expense. She would apologise if he felt offended, but he evidently didn't.

"Do you know the machines you need?" She made her way to her room, ignoring Erend's constant staring. If Aloy was declining her aid in travelling to her, the least she could do was listen to the parts which were listed, put it together in her mind and confirm if Aloy and the Oseram delver's idea could work. She would feel awful, naturally, if she gave the go ahead and it was a failure. Shaking her head, Nureka needed to remind herself Aloy wasn't stupid, she wasn't going to start diving deep if the thing wasn't working, there was no drowning that was going to happen. "Also, why is Poseidon down there? How did it manage that?" Nureka asked, she needed to know why a breathing mask was needed, and Poseidon had gone to ground, in a way.

"It found somewhere safe, somewhere where it felt safe and flooded the building to stop anyone getting near." Aloy explained, from the sound of her voice she was walking somewhere, her breath came out short and sharp and by the sounds of distant skidding, she was actually picking up running. No time like the present to get those parts, clearly. "Compressed air capsule, which I already have and managed to retrieve. But also, a machine knee cap and synthetic membrane. I've seen Bellowbacks out here, there's been a convoy seen by others in the surrounding area."

"And the rest?"

"Leaplashers and Longlegs, perhaps."

Nureka thought over the pieces, how the machinery would slot together in her mind before finding herself nodding slowly. "It could very well work. Remember, any salvage left over, bring it back. You never know what could be useful!"

"Will do, thank you, Nureka."

She said a brief bye in return and looked about her room with a sigh. She was in here, but didn't have a reason to be. Was she surprised Aloy denied her coming out to her? No. But a small part of her wished she had taken her up on her offer. She wondered what this Las Vegas place was like, other than being a desert. With a thoughtful hum, she walked over to her bed and settled down. She had made a little nook for bedding to reside in, it was cosy and left the rest of the room feeling open and spacious.

Las Vegas, it seemed like an interesting topic to research up on; not that it would resemble what it once was, but to see how it was, it would be interesting to see for sure. Nureka always found it interesting, what things from the Old World looked like. Their lives seemed so different; their homes were incredibly different to theirs. Despite being on the same planet, they did truly seem like worlds apart.

Hearing a knock on the door frame, Nureka sat up and looked forwards. "You're not off then?" Erend asked almost hesitantly, he may have overheard some of her conversation with Aloy, and put the pieces together.

"You know how she is, you offer, and she says no. She's trying to get Poseidon, but I think she's ran into a small snag, but there's a way around it." Nureka explained watching as Erend came in and leaned against her desk. "I'm not going anywhere, Erend. I promise," Nureka said while standing up and walking to the taller male leaning there, looking down at his boots as if they were the most interesting things ever.

She knew what Erend was like, for all his bravado, he was a deeply passionate and caring person; especially for his friends, if he knew he could help, he would and could. But also, if he knew they were needing help or in danger, he'd try everything within his power to aid them. It was clear, evident already, that he worried about Nureka just running off into the wilds, with no clue about the lands, or where Aloy was exactly.

The almost instant relief was clear on his face as he looked at her. "That's good, who else am I going to get to break the ice for me where Kotallo is involved?"

"Varl? Zo?" Nureka offered, laughing as it was clear Erend was still hugely hesitant around the Marshal. She hoped Erend wasn't still dwelling on the blood drinking thing.

"Oh, no. Trying to tear them two apart is as hard as trying to mine ore from rock, while hitting that rock, with another rock. It's impossible!" Erend explained with a laugh as he threw his hands in the air. Nureka shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose, she couldn't deny he was wrong. "Plus, are you really blind enough to not see the sparkles in his eyes when he's looking at you?"

Nureka snorted at that and looked at Erend dubiously. "There's no sparkles. Perhaps because I'm the one who's spoken to him the most, I'm actually becoming his best friend?"

"Is that what they call it now? So Varl and Zo are best friends, huh?" Erend commented, a smirk growing on his face. He was just teasing her, but seems she was now taking this seriously, he couldn't help but jibe some more.

Nureka clasped her hands to her cheeks, they felt rather hot underneath her palms. Too hot for her liking. Blinking a few times, she just stared at Erend, he let out a loud laugh and clapped her on the shoulder. "That isn't even funny!"

"It was funny."

"It wasn't," Nureka said while putting her hands on her hips and nodding towards the door. "Want to break the ice now?"

"Oh, no, don't want to be a bother. You're in here reading, he's in there doing...whatever it is he does."

"Kotallo? Erend wants to play Strike with you," Nureka said while rounding out of her room, of course hearing his name, Kotallo appeared in the doorway to his war room and looked across the small corridor at her. Her room was a few doors and small off-shooting corridors away, so she basically called this out to him. Even Varl and Zo looked over confused, both couldn't imagine Erend saying that, and both smiled and laughed quietly. It seemed Erend had backed himself into this corner, and no one seemed to be helping him back out of it.

"That is a surprise to hear," even though there was nothing in Kotallo's voice that sounded even remotely like surprise. Machine Strike was something that Erend had commented he'd be interested in playing, and whenever Kotallo heard him say this, had offered to help teach him. It seemed like a good way to break the ice to her.

Nureka walked over to where he was still standing, she hummed and nodded and looked back at Erend. He was sheepishly edging around her doorway, trying to look anywhere but at them. Leaning close, Nureka looked back up at Kotallo. "He's still a bit scared of you. I think it's the drinking blood thing."

"That is a habit which hasn't been followed through with for long while." Kotallo responded simply, as if it was nothing to worry about; yet he watched as Nureka's nose scrunched.

"Strike?" She just asked as casual as anything.

"He'll lose."

"You never know."

"He'll lose, badly."

Nureka hung her head, putting a hand to his arm, she patted it gently. "You're impossible."

"What?" Kotallo asked as he watched her slip away from his side. "What have I done?" He stood there looking truly confused as Nureka just walked away from him, simply waving a hand over her shoulder and pointing towards the table where Erend usually sat.

Clapping her hands when she appeared back before Erend, she smiled. "You have ale, right?"

"Well yeah, but where-"

"Have a drink, play Strike, become best buddies." Nureka said while looking quite achieved with this suggestion, "I have full faith in you, Erend." She patted him firmly on the shoulder and walked off to leave the two males standing across from each other in awkward silence.

"How long do you think it'll take for this to end badly?" Varl had sidelong watched the whole thing, he saw Nureka come sidling up to Zo and lean against the counter, turning things over and looking around the room curiously.

"Five minutes, maybe?" Nureka countered, Zo took whatever it was she was twiddling with from her hands and placed it back down with a shake of her head. Nureka pouted, well she didn't blame Zo for her reaction, she'd get annoyed if someone would pick and play with her belongings too.

"The other side of this is that Nureka's plan has some semblance of success." Zo said while shutting down her Focus and looking at the pair, she glanced from Varl who looked uncertain, to Nureka as she continued to lean against the counter.

"This is Erend we're on about, he loses his temper over his Focus not responding sometimes." Varl said worriedly, running a hand across the back of his neck as he hesitantly looked over his shoulder. At least the pair had actually sat down, even if it was in awkward silence, and like suggested, Erend had hunted out some of his ale from his liquor stash in his room.

"Hm, somehow I feel if he loses his patience and temper here, Kotallo can easily counter it."

"We don't want them fighting," Varl looked sharply back at Nureka, she looked innocently back at him. "But then again...no, no! I don't want to watch that fight." Varl's mind was conjuring up just what that bout would look like, yes, he was aware Erend would probably lose, much like he was going to lose this game, but the different styles in fighting would be interesting to view and watch at least.

Nureka rolled her eyes, "We've all got to train together, Varl."

It was like a realisation hit him hearing her words. Varl looked her over, back to the table where Erend and Kotallo were, then back to Nureka and Zo. "Oh no..."

"I feel like all of us would get beaten by a Marshal, there's no shame in that." Nureka shrugged and waved a hand in the air.

Varl pointed a finger at her, "I know what you're doing." Nureka looked aghast, Varl just frowned at her. Varl wasn't frightened of fighting, nor was he concerned with losing; at least, not against someone who was here, who would become a friend. The way Nureka was making it sound, made it sound like it was the complete opposite.

"I'm doing nothing." Nureka held her hands up in defence.

"Haven't you got some reading to go and do?"

Nureka just looked at Varl suspiciously, "Trying to get rid of me?" She asked yet pushed away from the counter. "Or are you trying to subtly tell me, that I am annoying you?" Nureka smiled and walked away anyway, Varl just looked at her simply but laughed over her questions anyway. Nureka was inclined to say that the answers to all of her questions would be a yes.

"Perish the thought of me saying such a thing!"

Nureka swatted a hand at him yet went over to the table quietly, she didn't want to disturb this match. She climbed over the back of the settee and slid into the seat beside Kotallo. She kept her knees to her chest, as she looked at the board. In truth, even she didn't know how to play this game; so, in a way, if it was a way to kill time, it would be good to learn it too. Evidently though Kotallo had confidence in his ability to win against Erend, so he'd win against her too; after all, anyone would win at a game of something, when the opposition doesn't know how to play.

"What was the snag?" Erend hesitated picking up a piece, a small Burrower in shape and decided against it from the way a frown deepened on Kotallo's face. But even Erend's question had Kotallo looking sidelong at Nureka too, he could split his attention here because it was clear he wasn't struggling to win this game.

"Breathing under water." Erend looked at her dubiously, Nureka nodded slowly. "Poseidon is underwater, Aloy just wanted to run a breathing mask idea through me. I did offer to go help, as I'm sure you heard." Nureka leaned her chin against her knees and looked at the board. She didn't know if the pieces had specific rules attached to them, but they were expertly carved out. She shifted in her seat, lowering her legs and taking the Burrower she was watching Erend debate about from Kotallo's hand when he somehow managed to take it from its square. It was clear both Erend and herself were confused over what just happened, thus earning a sigh from Kotallo. Nureka got the feeling he'd already explained the rules a few times to Erend, and along she came.

"You sounded up for recovering some salvage, that's what I got." Erend said, sounding a little grumpy that his piece had been taken.

Nureka turned the Burrower in her hands and looked over the smaller details of it. She hummed, nodding even and placing it back on the table. Though that didn't stop her from pushing it around with a finger, her cheek coming to rest against her other palm. "It is boring in here, after a while, right? Plus, I meant what I said, any salvage could always be used for our weapons."

"Yeah, I don't doubt you would've just gone." Erend picked up his tankard, took a contemplative sip from it before his eyes went wide. It was like something hit him, and he moved a piece and looked quite triumphant that he'd taken one of Kotallo's pieces off the board.

Registering what Erend said had Kotallo looking at Nureka quickly, she just raised her eyebrows in return from the stern look on his face. "There are outposts close by. Just walking off in search of Aloy, it wouldn't have been the wisest move."

With a sigh through her nose, Nureka held her hands up. "I'm not leaving, am I? I'm still...here."

"Isn't that what you did when going to Meridian?" Erend just asked simply. He just presumed she'd gone wandering off to the Sundom from Ban-Ur, not really stopping to get there and wait for their mutual friend.

"It wasn't like I had anywhere else to go, being exiled and all." Nureka crossed her arms and slouched back in her seat, she bitterly looked to the side and could just about see the hesitant look flit onto Erend's face from her reply.

"What things do you think will be bought back to you?" Kotallo decided to sway the conversation back to something more pragmatic and less hurtful for Nureka.

"I'm not sure, anything that is possibly explosive is always helpful." Nureka countered with a thoughtful look as she glanced back at the board. She wasn't entirely following the game anymore, and in truth it looked like Erend had forgotten the rules again and was just winging it.

"Don't blow up the base," Erend wiped a hand down his face and rubbed it against his chin, he looked in deep concentration as he stared at the board, as if some move would become obvious to him.

"You've done that?" Kotallo was quick to ask on the back end of Erend's words, a small frown appearing on his face.

"No!" Nureka laughed, "Well, maybe the resonator charge on Aloy's spear was a bit too high once...and..."

"She blew a hole in a wall. A room which Gaia couldn't open, is now open because of this hole." Erend said with a growing smirk, "Only, Zo and herself seem to be the only ones small enough to fit through it."

"And Aloy." Nureka offered, earning a waved hand to be sent her way by the Oseram man opposite her.

"That isn't the point. The point is that although Nureka didn't actually blow up the base, she did destroy part of a wall."

Kotallo received a proud smile to be sent up at him by Nureka before she looked back at the board, still trying to figure the rules out on her own. She looked a little bit too proud of her actions there, but Kotallo wasn't going to comment. "I did apologise."

"To a wall?" Kotallo found himself turning and looking at her with a curious look.

"To everyone! Not to a wall, that's silly." Nureka said with a quiet laugh. "I think everyone was a bit startled..."

"With the way everyone jumped to action, you'd think those Zenith bastards were coming and crashing through to get to us." Erend nodded before letting out a groan and watching as another one of his pieces got taken off the board. "I give up. I officially give up."

"Were you even trying to win?"

"You try playing this," Erend said while pointing a finger in Nureka's direction.

"I have no patience for board games," was her reply while she shut her eyes and scooted back and leaned into the seat cushions around her, such as they were. Slowly they were making this base more and more like home, but some more cushions would be lovely.

"Well, nor did I. Yet here we are, what do you know, here's someone who could teach you and help with your patience, perhaps?" Erend remarked while grabbing a hold of his now empty tankard and standing up.

"I do have patience!" Nureka turned and knelt on the seat to look at Erend's retreating back. He just simply waved over his shoulder, clearly not believing her one bit. Crossing her arms on the back of the seat, she leaned her chin against them with a sigh. Turning her head, she looked at Kotallo, he was simply rearranging the pieces back to their places. "Is it a hard game?"

"Not particularly." Kotallo commented, his hand pausing in picking up a piece, his eyes slowly raised as he looked thoughtful. "It's a good way to test your patience."

"I am patient. Just...not patient when I'm clearly going to get beat." Nureka turned and slid back down, she let out a curious noise, even going as far as patting him on the arm. His head turned curiously upon the contact, "I was thinking, about your offer. About maybe writing notes with the figures, I think I'd like to try and find somewhere here or nearby to place one. It seems apt, seems it's my new home."

Kotallo found himself nodding, that seemed like a good idea to him, it also made sense. "There are a few pieces of level ground above us, that could be ideal." He had ventured out, exploring really what was around this base in the mountainside. There were some aspects which grabbed his attention more than others, and Nureka tilted her head when a contemplative look appeared on his face. "There are Sunwings, they've seemingly adopted a part of the mountain as their home too."

"I've seen them, and that's enough."

Kotallo felt himself nodding, she hadn't encountered many machines which inhabited this land, they probably did differ a little from where she was from. "They are equal sparring partners, whether they know it or not, I don't know."

"You just go up there...and fight them?"

One of his shoulders shrugged, his eyes flicked sidelong at her before he looked at her fully. "My offer for training still stands."

"No, your offer to see which warrior clan is the better stands." Nureka laughed and pointed a finger at him.

"I can't deny it, I am curious." Kotallo said honestly, Nureka rolled her eyes and shook her head with a sigh. She wasn't surprised by his response at all, they would train, she and everyone else knew that. She just wasn't in a hurry to get beaten in a sparring match, Strike or sparring she just foresaw Kotallo being the better; that wasn't to say she didn't believe in her own skills and abilities, but she just had this sense, he wasn't used to losing, be it machine or otherwise.

"Okay, so the Sunwings..."

"I can deal with them, while you leave your figure and note."

"You seem too up for that, Kotallo." Nureka pinched the bridge of her nose, were all Tenakth readily wanting to fight or get into one? She understood, in a way, wasn't like her own clan weren't slightly similar, but even still. Nureka watched as he slid out of the seat and nodded to the side, "Oh...oh! Hold on, now?" She wasn't hinting, Kotallo however was taking it literally. Nureka watched him start to walk off towards the exit, not before making a pitstop at his room and grabbing his weapons.

"Please tell me you haven't insulted his honour and you're off to duel." Varl appeared from over Nureka's shoulder, he had briefly watched their little exchange; he could openly admit the laidback way in which they interacted was strange, if not endearing in a way. That wasn't to say both were hostile, but Nureka was rather personable for someone who came from an isolationist clan, and it wasn't like the Tenakth were known for being friendly.

Nureka looked dubiously at her friend, "No! No duel!"

"I'm inclined to say I don't believe you, that looked all very suspicious to me." Varl speculated while rubbing a hand to his chin and narrowing his dark eyes down at her.

Nureka placed her hands to her cheeks and shook her head, "No duel! He's off to fight Sunwings, and I'm off to do some painting; he just told me to be careful."

"Isn't that kind?"

"Varl!" She exclaimed and scooted along the seat to jump from it. He just laughed and held his hands up and watched her scamper off to her room. Between him and Erend, she was going to lose her last nerve, she swore.

Of course, her exit a few moments later was noticed, even as she pulled the hood of her fur lined coat up, she knew Varl would be making some comment to Zo, and she could almost imagine the Utaru telling him to behave; all in good stead, neither would be malicious. With the dark blue coat on, Nureka had to replace her armour on and over it, she was still checking her gauntlets when she exited the base.

She was surprised to see Kotallo standing out there waiting for her, jogging to his side she smiled up from under her hood. "Ready?" She asked, watching as he nodded and looked at the cliff behind them. Nureka heaved a sigh, this wasn't going to be an easy climb, Kotallo clearly knew the places he had mentioned, and she gestured for him to lead. She would just keep climbing up and up with no clue where she was meant to be going if left to it.

Luckily actually she didn't find herself having to climb too long, the grey harsh rocks digging into her palms and fingertips coming to a stop as she found another small overhanging part. It wasn't big enough to build a garden upon it like the one down below, but it was big enough for her to kneel and place the Grazer down. She had bought a small pack with her, and she dug around inside for parchment and ink.

"I will be back down soon," Kotallo said while he knelt beside her and watched as she got as comfortable as she could on the stone below them.

Nureka tucked hair behind her ear, back into the hood where it couldn't whip her in the face. "Not if I come up to find you first." She countered, watching as he nodded and looked out at the view before them; it was beautiful, the sun was making the colours of the sky blend and bleed together, the yellow of the rays mixed brilliantly with the blue hues of the sky itself. The clouds, white and fluffy and roaming slowly across the expanse just looked starkly white in comparison to all the colours around them; the trees were green, some even with reddish leaves, the white of the snow around them reflected the warm rays and it wasn't cold, despite of the wind breezing past them.

Nureka listened to the scrabbling sounds as Kotallo disappeared upwards to find the Sunwings, she just sighed and leaned back against the mountain wall. She looked at the Grazer, the sun causing its shadow to stretch across the rocky ground. She was looking for inspiration, even looking up at the cliff face that Kotallo had climbed up before she shut her eyes, inspiration was slowly coming to her and she soon found herself writing on the parchment before her.

Once she was done, she placed a nearby rock on the parchment to keep it in place before giving the Grazer one last touch to its small head and took to climbing upwards. She didn't know how many Sunwings had come to call this mountain home too, but she was curious. The machines themselves were large, their wingspans were wide and their wings made of some material Nureka had never seen before. They were beautiful, in a sense all machines were to her; but these sleek flying creatures were amazing to watch sore and swoop in the air, their agility was truly amazing.

She reached the next overlook and peeked up and over the snow, deciding to stay low, she pulled herself up and found the nearest patch of high grass to hide in, and hide she did. She sat down, crossed her legs and kept low and watched, no matter the size difference, or the ability to fly, or lack of a limb, the way in which Kotallo moved and fought was truly something to behold too. There were aggressive swipes, slashes and stabs which went hand in hand with hard blocks, pushes and quick dodges. This was someone who had clearly been able to fight for as long as they could stand and hold a weapon, Nureka pulled her hood a little as a breeze pushed past her, but she kept her eyes trained on the fight before her.

Though there had been mention of more than one being up here, it seemed there was only one at the moment and it was soon cut down and grounded. Nureka shut her eyes, though they opened quickly enough when crunching footsteps reached her ears. It didn't take much for Kotallo to part the grass with his hand, he didn't even seem remarkably out of breath for his fight.

He nodded backwards, and Nureka pushed herself up onto her knees with a confused look. "Isn't it customary in your ways, for hunters to offer machines that have been bought down to a Shaman first before taking parts that are needed?"

Nureka found herself opening her mouth to reply, only to shut it again and just kneel there looking at him with a distant look. She was not only struck by the fact that he had clearly researched more into her clan, which he probably did with everyone else, but he was doing this one thing which would seem tiny, maybe even a little pointless to some, but not to her; this was important, and it was true.

"Thank you." She whispered, even if it was like her voice was getting lost in the wind.

Kotallo shook his head and looked over his shoulder at the Sunwing. "Only because you have left your home behind you, it doesn't mean you have to leave your customs behind too." He looked slowly back at her, Nureka was still looking at him with that distant look. It was like she couldn't quite grasp what was truly happening. "We best finish up here, before the others come back." He looked skywards, he couldn't hear their calls, or see their figures in the air or horizon, yet.

Nureka nodded, she pushed herself out of the grass and snow and walked over. She placed a hand against the wing, the material was like something she'd never felt before. Her other hand skimmed over the head, sleek and designed to cut through the air without any problems hindering it. Kotallo watched her and came to kneel beside her, just watching curiously. He didn't understand completely what she was doing, but it meant something to her, and if that helped her feel a little more at home here, then so be it.

"I take it we've both finished what we set out to do, hm?" Nureka asked while looking the machine over, finding which things would be useful to take with them, or not. "Do I dare to say that there was success for us?"

"Success will determine on if we can get back down before the other Sunwings land."

"Land...oh," Nureka was busy getting pieces from the machine, his words were listened to but one in particular took a moment to really sink in. Her eyes looked upwards, so there were other Sunwings and they were heading this way. Kotallo's hand gripped onto her shoulder and he gently pulled her to a stand, she had strapped together the pieces she harvested and didn't have much time to register what was going on before she was urged towards the way down, with Kotallo shielding her from the possible Sunwings incoming.