#Zero Dawn fanfic

[bluntblade]

Tag Game: Ten First Lines

Thanks to @foibles-fables for the tag. Let's, err, let's have a go at this.

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway.

After each line, I’ll note the fandom/ship in parentheses with a link to the fic, in case you’re interested in checking the rest out! Starting from the most recent:

Above Scarif, Thane felt a different kind of weightless than usual, as his squadron followed the reverberations of the Death Star's onslaught. (Star Wars: Lost Stars, Thane Kyrell/Ciena Ree)

Major Blyer Towast of the First Order surveyed the world below him and cursed his fortune, just as he did every morning. (Star Wars: Sequel Trilogy, Rey/Kaydel Ko Connix and FinnRose, but it's mostly action and friendship. Can I say Finn vs Phasma?)

It started with a perfectly innocent and sensible suggestion by Lula, after the Nihil attacked the Republic Fair. (Star Wars: High Republic Adventures, Lula Talisola/Zeen Mrala)

"Ahem." (Horizon, Talanah Khane Padish/Nakoa)

Rey couldn't remember a time when it hadn't been there, in her dreams. (Star Wars: Sequel Trilogy, there is no ship there is only the Force)

The rain was heavy among the Sentinels. (Horizon, Chekkatah/Ikkotah & Kotallo/killing the enemies of Hekaro)

“I know you’re not going to like hearing this,” Varl said. (Horizon series, nonship character study)

He still got looks. (Star Wars: The High Republic, not shippy but Sskeer & Keeve Trennis' bond means the world to me)

“More dangerous than the bounty, you say?” (Star Wars: The High Republic, Ty Yorrick/hunting monsters/getting paid)

One night, traveling up the Cut to seek an audience with CYAN, Aloy and Ikrie found themselves around a campfire with a small Banuk hunting party, swapping tales.  (Horizon series, Aloy/Ikrie)

Tagging: If you're keen, you :D Anyone who wants to do this and share out, feel free to hit me up as your tagger. I’ll keep an eye out.

[redstringraven]

a piece for @joyfuladorable's @tmnt4p request!

they asked for mikey and aloy just hanging out, maybe playing video games, something silly and cute!

i decided to do one in aloy's world and one in mikey's world! this is the first one. i had. SO MUCH FUN with the strider. got to use a lot of new tricks/process methods, too! \ewe/ thank you so much, sea!!

[grimadonnagirl]

[Original dialogue from that scene in Mulan (1998)]

[bakedcrossaintt]

i honestly love it when people say "nobody gets (insert character) like i do" because yeah! everyone experiences media and relates to characters in a different, personal way and i think that's beautiful :3

[quiche-draws]

Updated "A Spirit's Flight" last week with two new chapters!

Author/Artist Note: I also decided to update Aloy and Beta's outfits for my Wind Weaver fanfic on a more official basis. Aloy's was based off @i-lavabean's design during the AU's early stages of dev (sounds so official 😂). For Beta's, I realized her first design was a bit too similar to Aloy's so I figured I'd change it around, give her look more of an identity and realized she'd look great in a skirt!

For the bottom image, I tried sketching out what they'd look like while they're still in the Sacred Lands (didn't really try to change much from in-game, other than Beta getting Aloy's in-game Nora Huntress outfit). Aloy's Nora look would've been similar to the Nora Sentinel outfit. Story-wise, they're eventually given the top-image's outfits as part of becoming members of the skyship crew :)

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST! REBLOG ONLY!

[pastel-peach-writes]

Face Paints | Aloy x Reader

╰┈➤ PLOT: With someone who wears intricate face paints such as Aloy, she needs someone to assist her, right?

╰┈➤ WARNINGS: Cursing, Not Proofread

⍣ ೋ Enjoy!⍣ ೋ

"Aloy," you breathed out. Your girlfriend had sat herself in front of a mirror with an absurd amount of paints and dyes scattered around her. She had a big white blob on her face and scribbled on her arms. What she was doing looked messy like an accident or like she used her body as a cloth between brushes.

With a shaky hand and her face even closer to the mirror, she huffed. "It's fine. I'm fine." The redhead used her other hand to stabilize the hand painting her face. Her jaw relaxed and her eyes grew wide in concentration.

You walked over, shaking your head as you saw how much of a mess she made on her skin. "You are anything but. Here." Sat in front of her, you pry the brush out of her hands and grab her paints.

"Hey, I was using that!"

"Yeah. Poorly." You cleaned the small brush with some water and wiped the remains on the cloth. Aloy huffed again, watching as you primed and prepared the brush for a more accurate painting session.

The girl was fine doing the paints herself. She was taught by Rost when she was younger and has done her own since then. She didn't need her partner to do it for her. Although, she did like the thought of being face-to-face with you. Or watching your face of concentration when you did the intricate designs on her arm.

Maybe you painting her wouldn't be all bad.

With the brush properly loaded with paint and water, you smiled up at her. You used the pad of your thumb to wipe away her previous attempts before resting the side of your pinky on her cheek. "It's gonna be cold so I'll need you to be still, okay?"

Aloy deadpanned, though a soft smile peeked through the corners of her mouth. "I know how to be still. This isn't my first face paint."

You shrugged, smiling wider due to her expression. "Oh, I know. I still need to preface you because what I'm going to do is so detailed and refined that it's going to take some time. So," you pressed the brush to the bridge of her nose. "Stay. Still."

Stay still, she did. For the most part, Aloy is pretty behaved. She only breaks the rules, what? Like, two to three times a day? And she only does it because she's trying to help people. Not for the hell of it. Aloy likes to call herself a rebel with a cause.

As you painted her face, Aloy stared into your eyes with her bright green eyes. Through the sparkle in your eye, Aloy could also see how concentrated you were. She didn't understand why you were adamant about doing her face paint. She's capable of doing it on her own and has done more complicated paint on her lonesome.

However, the more she stared and the more you painted, she started to realize this was less about the paint. You wanted to paint her face because you wanted to do an act of service for her.

You didn't care if she'd done her own before or didn't need your help, you wanted to help her. Take something off her shoulders and spend time with her. Plus, who in the hell passes up time to be face-to-face with your partner?

"How's it going?" Aloy's rasped voice spoke in a whisper. A slight smile crept onto your lips as you heard her voice. You were so immersed in the face paints that you forgot to speak and forgot you could speak. Aloy's voice was soft enough to pull you out of deep concentration but was quiet enough to not startle or mess you up.

"Good," you whispered back. You carefully used two fingers to tilt her head to the other side. With the left side of her cheek done, it was time to do the right. In white paint, you painted rectangular scales. The scales mimicked a futuristic dinosaur's as if the machines that ruled the planet wore some silicone skin to protect their wires and inner workings.

If they had skin, Aloy wouldn't be able to override them as easily. Oh well. Sucks for them.

"I'm almost done with this side," you whispered, your words slow as you concentrated on painting your girlfriend's face.

Aloy almost shook her head in protest but remembered that any movement would fuck your painting up. "No," she blurted in a whisper. She reminded herself to take a breath, an embarrassed smile on her lips. "I mean, take your time. I like being here with you."

You pulled away, your brows furrowed in puzzlement. With a head tilt, you removed the brush on her face. "But I thought you had to meet a village woman to help her find her adult son."

Aloy shrugged, her embarrassed smile growing into a smug one as she looked at your knowing face. "If I had enough time to get my face painted, I could spend a little more time staring into my partner's eyes while they paint me. Right?"

Aloy's smirk only grew when the subtle hint of being flustered peaked through your smile.

Twirling the skinny paintbrush in your fingers, you leaned back in your spot, your gaze piqued an interest in the things next to you. "I mean, I guess so," your sentence ended on a particularly high note.

Laughter filled the air. Aloy grabbed your wrists, pulling her closer to you. "Okay, so resume!" she continued to laugh. "Stop being all cute and finish what you started."

"Stop!" You playfully swatted her shoulder. She faked a wince and held the spot you hit.

"Ow!"

"Oh, please. You ate plants stronger than that hit." Aloy eye-rolled as you leaned back to resume her painting.

Aloy was right. Taking your time as you painted her face felt different than rushing to paint her face. You could seriously examine every textured bit of her skin, perfect your lines, and take shameless gawks at how beautiful she was; little freckles on her face, red cheeks from the sun, and baby hairs on the side of her face, right by her ear.

When you were done, you pecked Aloy on her lips. Much to her surprise.

"What...? What was that for?" she asked, her shy smile revealing her teeth. You shrugged. You swished the paintbrush in the cup of water before taking it out to dry off.

You grabbed a damp cloth to wipe your hands. "I don't know. A prize for sitting so well."

The girl scoffed, her arms crossed across her chest in playful defense. "I always sit well."

It was your turn to roll your eyes. You grabbed a shard of glass, its edges carefully protected with twine and decorated with leaves and pieces of gold that were found in rivers. "Aloy, you can barely last when people go on tangents. Here."

Aloy took the makeshift mirror from you, going to scoff again but when she caught a glimpse of her appearance, her jaw dropped. "Wow, I..." Aloy's voice trailed off as she brought a careful hand to her face.

"Careful," you warned as you stood. "It's still wet. It'll dry on your way."

Aloy matched your stance, her attention still on herself in the mirror. You did this in what, ten minutes? And her face has never been as skillfully painted before. Between the rectangular scales, there were dots and sometimes squiggles.

On the bridge of her nose was a thick white line and a circle of paint on the bulbous part of her nose. You also painted a "V" between her brows with two dots, inside and on either side.

"This is amazing." Aloy finally met your gaze, smiles both resting on each other's lips. "Thank you." She engulfed you in a hug, some of her armor and clothes poking at your own but you've gotten used to the feeling.

"You're welcome." You melted into her touch. Your eyes closed as your hands squeezed around her back and waist. "Just be careful when you're out there, okay?" Your whisper lingered on her earlobe as you pulled away to meet her eye.

Aloy gave you a smile. She shimmed her shoulders, playfulness oozing from her. "Oh, please. When am I ever not careful?" You laughed and shoved her shoulders although there was no malicious intent behind your actions.

"Go before I wipe that smirk off your face."

"Oh," Aloy grinned as she gathered her items from the nearby table. "You promise?"

You laughed louder. "Go!"

"Okay, okay. I'm going! Love you!"

With the quick motion of a kiss, Aloy left with her face freshly painted and her heart warm from the brief, yet intimate moment she had with her partner.

WC: 1,464

[the-horizon-lounge3041]

I’ve got news! The Harpy AU is finished, just waiting for the artists to finish their pieces they chose❤️ just felt like wrapping up the writing so it’s done.

[horizontwinflames]

Horizon AU: Twin Flames - Gaia's Subfunctions' Avatars (part 1)

Because [spoilers], Elisabet re-classifies the subfunctions as "facets."

In this AU, they developed their own avatars and consciousness, giving them a kind of "God" vibes - hence, they are omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent in their respective areas on the Zero Dawn system.

Without Gaia, they also developed new "powers and abilities" (related to their original functions), which can only be unlocked/activated with an Alfa Prime credential.

[wykart]

Against the Lightning

I've finally finished uploading this fic, which I've been writing on and off since around April last year... So glad it's over, and I had to draw something to commemorate it. Thanks to all who have read it and waited (very patiently) for its completion!

[foibles-fables]

❤️ Aloy/Talanah

because yes

scribbled this one on a very quick very unpolished whim. @notadrde, you asked for this one as well!

❤️ first kiss / realization

“Oh,” Talanah breathes when they finally break apart.

Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? Aloy can’t tell. Talanah’s eyes are wide and her pupils are glinted by the sunlight and her lips—her lips are still parted. That’s all her mind can fathom.

“Ah—yeah.” That’s one way to put it. The space between them resounds, echoing the sudden newness of mouth on mouth. Aloy cringes. Glances away. Her hands tremble against Talanah’s waist but don’t withdraw. There must be something else she can say—something that expresses how her heart is knocking hard in her chest, something for her cheeks set aflame—but all she can manage is: “Yeah.”

Somehow the lack of eloquence doesn’t send Talanah on the hunt for an escape. Quite the contrary, she frames Aloy’s face with her hands, urging eye contact. Her gaze is shimmering, high noon cast over rippling water. 

Her smile is—a little bit sad.

She says, “I’m so sorry.”

Aloy’s throat goes weak and sour. Regret. Optimistic assumptions and impulse proven foolish. There it is: the dread, the falling ax, the pale-shadowed urge to tear back and flee. 

And she would, if it wasn’t for Talanah’s thumbs sweeping along her cheekbones, her soft but desperate voice.

“Wait. No.” She reads the silent hurt in Aloy’s eyes and corrects herself, more flustered than Aloy’s ever known her to be. “Please. I meant…I’m sorry I never knew.”

Sunflares dazzle. Time lost. All the ways this could have gone, if. Regret, set in a different framing.

Aloy gets a breath. Feels herself turning towards one of Talanah’s hands. Mouth-corner nudges against the base of her palm as she admits, with the new benefit of self-aware truth, “I wasn’t very good at showing it.”

“Neither was I,” Talanah replies. 

Then she laughs, quietly. Aloy leans in without thinking. It’s the first motion of a bow, a grovel, a nod of long-coming recognition. 

One tiny motion and there’s almost no space between them for daylight.

Forward, forward.

Talanah’s hands slip slow and smooth to the crook of Aloy’s jaw, letting her fingers find her nape.

“I’d like to make up for it,” Talanah murmurs, backbone-throbbing, “if you’ll let me.”

Aloy answers without words, without any need for them.

[kittleskittle]

niloy november day 7 - modern AU

this one comes with an accompanying ficlet by @mythicaitt!!

READ HERE:

[bluntblade]

Because the world needs more Nakoa

[redstringraven]

aloy's world , mikey's world

and here are both parts of @joyfuladorable's @tmnt4p request! they asked for mikey and aloy just hanging out, maybe playing video games, something silly and cute!

ヽ(✿＾▽＾)ノ thank you so much, sea~!!

[thefandomwritersblog]

...Though she had always acknowledged his attractiveness in passing, this encounter left no room for doubt. His physique was beyond impressive, sculpted with precision like a work of art in motion. Every scar on his skin added depth and richness to his already broad form. The soft candle light bathed him in an ethereal glow, accentuating every muscle and contour. Water droplets clung to him like jewels, enhancing the play of light as they cascaded down his glistening body.

@elysiumnightmares you have once again knocked it out of the park.

[gentlyrowan]

These dusty feet have wandered from the Frozen Wilds to the Burning Shores, but the lands of Tumblr are still uncharted wilderness to me.

Hi, I'm new!

I'm Kathleen Rowan – known as GentlyRowan here and on AO3 (where I write Horizon fic, to no one's surprise).

My husband and I explore the real landscapes that the team at Guerilla Games brought to life in Horizon, and capture the adventure as best we can photographically. I'm the one behind the camera for the landscape photos (unless otherwise noted), and he takes those featuring a mysterious woman in Nora-inspired attire.

That's me!

[niloycentral]

Welcome to Niloy November 2024!

Starting November 1, use the above prompts for each day of November to create something new for Aloy x Nil. Tag #niloynovember, #niloynovember 24, or @ niloycentral for a reblog!

Special thank-you to @kittleskittle for the photomode background for this year's prompts!

What is it?

Above, you’ll find a table of one prompt per day of November, most of which contain special significance to the relationship between Aloy and Nil. For those participating, simply take the prompt and create something around it for that day.

As Niloy November starts the day after the Horizon Zero Dawn remaster release, this year's prompts lean heavily into themes between Aloy & Nil in this part of their lives - but that doesn't mean you're restricted to setting your art, fics, gifs, or photomodes during the Horizon Zero Dawn timeline! You're welcome to use them for Horizon Forbidden West and beyond as well!

What can I make?

Whatever you feel most comfortable creating!

If you’re a writer: a drabble, ficlet, even a poem! No word count minimum or maximum, but in the spirit of the event, I recommend no greater than 2500 words.

Artists can do sketches, doodles, fully rendered pieces, comic pages, whatever they are inspired (and have the time) to create.

Gif-makers, virtual photographers, and other types of visual media are also more than welcome to participate and we encourage it!

For prompts that limit gifs and virtual photography, alternates have been provided – though you are welcome to use the alternates for art and/or fic for the given dates, if they inspire you more.

In addition, you are not limited to one form of creation. If one prompt inspires art, another inspires writing, another has the perfect shot from in-game photography, feel free to mix it up!

The only ask is that whatever you create be new for the prompt. However the prompt inspires you, run with it! Some may feel “on the nose,” but those can be fun to explore metaphorically too!

What are the restrictions?

For fic submissions, please use the appropriate submission tags below the text box. All ratings are welcome provided they are properly labelled.

As per Tumblr guidelines, we cannot show any NSFW art or photomodes. If your submission contains NSFW material, please submit a suitable crop preview or censored version that can safely be displayed on Tumblr. The post will also, if possible, have a Mature community content label. This also applies for other types of Mature content.

Can I team up with someone for art or writing for a prompt?

Yes! Fics and art are welcome to inspire each other.

Where do I post?

Wherever you feel comfortable sharing. Fics should be posted on AO3 and you are welcome to share the link on your own social media or in a server. Mostly, I encourage you to submit it directly to the niloycentral tumblr.

If you have a Tumblr: You can submit it directly to niloycentral, or tag your post with either #niloynovember or #niloynovember24 – both will be tracked! You can also @niloycentral.

If you don’t have a Tumblr: You can submit the art or photomode itself directly, or link to your creation on other social media (Twitter, Instagram, AO3, wherever it is hosted) through our niloycentral submissions page using the following format:

Creator: your @(social media) or your alias

Prompt: what day/prompt you have submitted

Plus any applicable tags as per checkboxes below the submission area.

#niloynovember and #niloynovember24 will also be tracked on Twitter, but to make sure we see and catch everything, I encourage submissions to niloycentral Tumblr!

Do I have to do every prompt?

We don’t want anyone to get burnt out or frustrated. Some prompts will inspire more than others and we all have days where we just can’t. You definitely don’t have to do every prompt to be included! Your creation will be featured whether you do all 30, or 19, or 12, or if you even only do 1. You’re more than welcome to continue working on the prompts after November as well.

Do I have to do them in order?

No… but if you do submit to the blog for a prompt from later in the month, we will schedule your submission to post on the proper day (based on EST). Any submissions from previous-day prompts will be posted as usual.

Prompts are being released now, but we ask that you do not post until November 1.

Happy creating!

Prompt list below:

Pulse

Camp

Feather

Eclipse

Voice

Cover

AU - Modern (Alternate: Metal)

Call

Dark

Duel

Proposal

Match

Union

AU - Historical (Alternate: Grey)

Path

Free Space

Humour

Reason

Intimate

Dawn

Bright

Final

Comfort

Kindred

Tether

Dusk

AU - Genre (Alternate: Storm)

Warmth

Future

Meme