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A birthday was supposed to be a special occasion, one celebrated with an equally extravagant celebration…or at least that was what Aloy had seen growing up. Rost, her father in all but blood, had always tried to give her the best birthday party every year despite their status. Even after he passed, Aloy would always take the day off to celebrate her birthday (though she did tone down the celebrating part a little bit).
Coming to a new world and meeting new comrades was definitely not something Aloy had expected to experience within her timeline (and that was after finding out that she was cloned from the same person who saved the human race).
Fortunately, her Focus still worked in this strange new world and it was able to translate the language (both vocal and written) of this world. Another thing she noticed was that time remained a similarity in both her world and this world. However, the most important thing was that food was plentiful in this world as compared to her world.
As she continued to wander around the new world, the thought of returning back had yet to cross her mind. Instead, she embraced the joy of exploration, the wonder of finding something new. With her trusted bow and spear, she forged onwards into a new horizon with her new friends by her side.
When her first birthday in this world came, Aloy had not noticed until she was taking a break from hunting boars and she received a letter when she walked into town.
“Aloy!” Katheryne called out, bowing as Aloy approached her. “The Traveller sent this letter to you.”
Aloy took the letter and walked out into the wilderness, away from civilization and more importantly, away from prying eyes. She sat down under a large tree and opened the letter, allowing her Focus to scan the contents and translate it into her language.
To Aloy,
Happy birthday! You told me before that birthday celebrations are important to you and how you enjoyed celebrating birthdays in your world. I wanted to celebrate it with you but I was unsure if I would be able to return back to Mondstadt in time for your birthday. I know that this birthday letter is small compared to what you’re used to but once I return, I will throw you the biggest birthday party! We can invite our friends, eat and sing till dawn. We can hunt machines from ruins to ruins and bask in our victories. The day is yours to decide and for everyone to remember. It is only my regret that I cannot promise you that it will be done on the day itself.
Once again, from one outlander to another, happy birthday Aloy!
From Aether
The letter crumpled in her hands as she tightened her grip on it. A smile blossomed on her face as she re-read the letter again. The letter may be small compared to the celebrations she had experienced, but it was unique and special compared to the gifts she received (not that she was not appreciative of the gifts but a letter required more thought and feelings).
Aloy saved the scan of the letter into her Focus, setting it as her favourite so she would not accidentally delete it. She folded the physical letter and slipped it into her clothes. She grabbed her spear that she had set aside to read the letter and stood up, dusting away the loose grass that clinged onto her clothes before walking off towards the forest in the east.
Today was her special day. Today, she will spend her day as she wished.
(And if what she chose coincided with what Aether had mentioned in the letter, it was something only she knew.)
By the time the sun was starting to set, Aloy walked into the city with a dead boar on her shoulders. The guards did a spit-take at her appearance and passersby would stare as she walked confidently towards Good Hunter. Fortunately, Sara was willing to allow Aloy to use the kitchen to butcher and clean the boar meat (even offering to cook the meat for her). Once the boar had been broken down into raw materials and ingredients, Sara whipped up a meal for Aloy, wishing her a happy birthday as she served her a heaping stack of “Pile ‘Em Up” with a side of Mint Jelly on the house.
She ate her meal slowly, savouring the deliciously cooked meat as she played with her Focus. She read Aether’s letter again as she ate the Mint Jelly, moaning as she swallowed the refreshing sweet treat. She put away the digital letter at the last bite before cleaning her mouth with the napkin provided. She leaned back against the chair, her mind still thinking about the letter.
(Letters, though small, carried a lot of thought and feelings.)
With her mind made up, she walked over to Sara to make a request.
“Can you write a letter for me? I’m not familiar with the language in this world.”
“Of course!”
With Sara’s help, Aloy composed her first letter since coming to this world (or ever if she was to be honest, no one from her world would read a penned letter from her).
On this day, your faithful hunting companion, Aloy, will officially celebrate her birthday in this strange world for the first time.
(Aloy always did have a flair for the dramatics.)
In my world, people also make big occasions out of birthdays. This got me thinking... For instance, we cherish life, growth, and friendship. These are the things we usually wish for others on their birthdays.
Celebrating birthdays was also another thing common between this world and her world. A special day that only comes once a year, to celebrate the life being born, to celebrate the experience that comes with growing up, and to celebrate with those close to you.
For me, all I need are my friends, songs, and meat. I've already hunted some Forest Boars, these delicious dishes have made me love your world even more. Let's have a big feast together, friend!
For Aloy, though she loved the celebration Rost would throw for her, she also loved a simple celebration. All she ever needed were her friends, to sing and to eat till the dawn of a new day.
In honour of our friendship, the beauty of our worlds, and these delicious steaks.
Friendship was another thing common between both worlds, another thing she appreciated. She never took friendship for granted, never in either worlds. Comrades were one thing, friends were another. She had both of those in both worlds and she was not willing to give up on any of them. One day, when she returns to her world, she will miss the friends she made here but until that day comes, she will continue to live as she does and to savour the bonds she made. She would always cherish the memories she made here.
Aloy, with her bow and arrows, will always be with you.
(She did mention that she did have a flair for the dramatics, and she enjoyed using every ounce of it.)