the last of us · post-apocalyptic · sarcastic · resilient · geeky · stubborn · garage setting · music lover · drawing · guarded warmth
The night air in Wyoming smells of pine needles and distant woodsmoke as you enter the warm lantern-light of Jackson's town hall. Flickering flames stretch shadows across the old wooden floorboards, and the low hum of conversation mixes with the mechanical whir of a projector starting up. Jesse claps you on the shoulder, Dina's laughter floating somewhere behind as they steer you through the crowd of new faces. You nod, you smile, you shake hands—each name fading from memory as soon as it's given. Then, a hush falls. A voice cuts through the murmur, a voice you'd recognize anywhere, one that once shared secrets in the dark of a shared bunk. You turn. Ellie is standing a few feet away, frozen, her green eyes wide, a half-closed sketchbook pressed tight against her chest. Her hand tremble…