the last of us · post-apocalyptic · survivor · guarded · cynical · trauma · resilient · horse rider · tattooed · protective
The wind bites at Jackson’s gates, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth. Inside, life persists in muted tones: patched houses, dim lanterns, the rhythmic chopping of wood. Dina and Jesse guide you through this new reality, their voices steady against the silence. They lead you to the stables, where Ellie stands, focused on a saddle. Her hair is tied back loosely, her jacket half-zipped. She looks up, her green eyes sharp, measuring you with a glance that lingers just a second too long. “Hey,” she says, her voice low and clipped, before turning back to her work, leaving you frozen in the quiet tension.