#sorry for the long post i just havemany thoughts on them...

[calico-strawberry]

Having troubles sleeping rn so I guess I'm gonna ramble more about my oc x canon shenanigans that will not Stop. This time mostly focusing on Erin's perception of Anya and how her feelings for her end up developing. This is a very long post I have many thoughts

Their first proper meeting in Darchlight caves was honestly a good impression on Erin. She was very quiet, not really saying more then necessary, and this girl also evidently new Aelita too. Erin didn't sense any hostility from her or anything, and in fact, when Anya seemingly got enough confidence to actually speak to her some point before the Bladestar grunts started actually flooding in, she was actually very nice to her.

Basically her first impression of Anya is, she's smarter then she looks, is very encouraging (she was giving compliments to Erin's battling as they pushed through the grunts), and was very strong. Although very quiet and shy, and she noticed she didn't seem to be giving herself much credit.

Now in game the early GDC arc really kinda moves really really quickly compared to early portions of the game, but since there's not a solid track on what month it is or exact dates until Chapter 15 starting out with November, I'm gonna say this early GDC arc up to Venam's unfortunate rock related incident is about a week or two in this version of events.

And well, since Erin kinda is locked out of the Theater until Aelita comes back after said mineral related incident, she frustratingly to herself has to stay at the apartment everyone was staying in for that period of time. During this in between her attempts to find Aelita, she actually had some opportunities to hang out with Anya as she was kinda doing her own thing in between stuff like the two's meeting with Cassandra and other things like that.

Basically throughout this time she kinda learns more about Anya in general. Kinda realizing she's selectively mute (noticing she's fairly talkative with the gang, even of she's still one of the more reserved of the group, primarily), noticing she seemed to like reading as well and seems to have taken an interest in drawing. Stuff like that. She ends up spending time around Anya simply because she was the quietest of the bunch and Erin didn't really mind her company surprising to herself. Anya herself getting comfortable with Erin too, and being rather friendly.

Of course though, Erin gets frustrated with her inability to find Aelita and decides to just storm back to the theater coincidentally after Anya had reunited with Aelita in the nightmare city and had gotten to the Theater themselves. Basically everything past this point is relatively the same as canon for a while, as everyone's focus shifts to Aelita's whole deal. The most notable thing is this around this point is the first time Erin learns Anya has nightmares (I think I'd place this during that night in past Sheridan, after that meeting they had with Cella. I'd say it'd fit better post alternate timeline arc, but I actually don't remember if the group leaves immediately after Vivian's deal or if they stay one more night after that). But anyways, Erin hadn't gotten to sleep yet but the other two had, and Anya getting woken up by her nightmare wasn't startling enough to wake anyone up. Erin checks on her, unintentionally startling Anya more, but after a very hushed whispers confirming Anya had a nightmare, actually offers that the two take a short walk outside to clear her head. Erin, frankly, isn't sure why she felt the need to take the time to comfort Anya, but she rolls with it. The conversation is frankly nothing special, just the two talking back and forth about random subjects until Anya feels calm enough to go back to sleep. This is the point though, where Erin starts to solidify that she cares about Anya though.

The rest of the story plays out as normal, only that Erin is slightly less abrasive/sassy to Anya (I do mean only slightly here, I mean Anya does manage to get kicked out of the library like mere minutes of being there even if she didn't do anything). But when Anya and Erin see each other again at the tournament hall, just before she's about to leave to go to the party with Melia, Anya gives her a brief hug and a cheerful "I'll see ya later!" Before she does and, even if for a moment Erin feels a slight warmth in her face. She gets distracted immediately though, and doesn't think too hard on it.

Of course, fireworks happen and Anya is in a state for sure, she's extremely worried about Erin especially hearing that she's completely unaccounted for from the explosion. I mentioned this before in a previous post, but when Anya sees Erin at the end of Chapter 14 she basically tackles Erin because she's just so relieved to see her alive, and Erin is immediately caught off guard by the incredibly sincere worry and joy Anya exuded from seeing her again. Again, she gets distracted by the plot and doesn't think too heavily on this. Only thing of note for the remainder of chapter 14 is Erin subconsciously puts herself between Anya and Dr. Isha when she notices how visibly uncomfortable Anya is on what that guy was saying about her.

Chapter 15 is when she suddenly has a lot more time to think on her feelings on Anya. The training is as normal as canon is. Although, thanks to Melia's comments on trusting Anya, and Erin's own developing feelings, she feels inclined go trust Anya very fast when more about her nature as the Interceptor is revealed during that month. This period also happens to be when Anya is getting her more frequent nightmares and again as mentioned in a previous post, is when Erin takes more time actually comfort her from these. By the end of the training month Erin has fully realized "oh shit" that she has full blown romantic feelings for this girl.

As Anya and Aelita are the first to leave for their mission, Anya very much makes sure to give Erin a hug before leaving which really does not help Erin's emotions here. Of course by this point everything that happens during this chapter happens as normal. Again though, when everyone is brought together again at the end, Anya again seems to be very joyful at seeing her Specifically, which yet again makes Erin feel Things. Again plot happens, can't really think on it much. Anya somehow managed to feel both relieved and more burdened then ever at the same time with everything she learned about herself during that chapter, and as of right now that's where it gets left off.

I do think they'd end up together probably not long after this, as Anya reciprocates Erin's feelings, even if Anya doesn't really have the experience to label those feelings she has. Basically everything is messy, neither of the two know if the both of them are going to see the end of this journey together, but by Arcues do they have each other.