I Will Always Have A Minute For You [Ereloy]

// 4 //

After returning to the Meridian gates, she could see Erend still standing where he said he would wait. He was conversing with a small group of Sun Carja crossing back into Meridian. He looks up from the group, seeing Aloy's face. He dismisses the group he was talking to, turning toward her.

"How'd it go?" He asks.

"How do you think it went?" She would retort.

"Knowing Avad, it probably went a little out of control - especially since he was talking to you."

"Other than maybe one slip-up, it went well." Aloy shrugged.

"Well, good. I know Avad's a good guy, but knowing how he was with his feelings for Ersa - and with you just a few years ago - I wouldn't have been surprised if he tried to ask again."

"He didn't get that far. I'm thankful for that."

"Me, too."

Aloy tilted her head at him in confusion. "Huh?"

Erend realized what he said. "Never mind me." He shrugs. "It'd just be weird, you know?"
"Oh, yeah. Definitely would be weird - I understand what you mean now."

Erend laughs nervously. "Glad you do."

Aloy readjusts herself, mostly her footing. "So, I guess I have to head back to the Cut now."

Erend looks at the ground. "I guess so."

Aloy looks at him, smiling a little bit. "Hey, don't be so down - I'll be back again."

"Can't you stay a little longer? It's been so long since I've been able to catch up with you, and I've been part of your life since the Proving. Come on, now."

Aloy laughs a bit. "Fine, I'll stay a little longer. Just for you."

Erend smiles in return. "Great! I'm glad I was able to convince you."

"I feel like there's something else, other than the fact that it's been ages since we've been able to just hang out, that made you want me to stay, though."

"Nothing else, really." He shrugs.

"Mmm, okay, whatever you say."

Both of them look up at the sky a moment, deciding what they were going to do next. Erend's eyes light up as he comes up with something. "I have an idea."
"What's that?" Aloy looks at him.

"You'll see - follow me."
"Sounds oddly suspicious, but all right." She says as the two of them exit the Meridian gate and head toward the farmland that was nearby - the Royal Maizelands. It sounds kinda funny now, but the area on its own is enough to take your breath away.

"I just want to know, Erend..." Aloy turns to him as they amble down the path. "Since we're not around so many people now... "
"Why did I want you to stay around a little longer?" He finishes her question for her.

"Yeah... That."

"Like I said - there's really nothing else to it, Aloy. You're reading too far into it. Why can't we just hang out as friends?"

That's strange - it really sounds like he's onto something but won't tell her. But maybe he's right, and she is reading too far into it.

"I guess there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just worried, is all. You're never so... attached to me. You've always been accepting of the fact that I've got jobs to do in other tribes."

"That's true." He knows she's right. "Today's just... A little different. Like I'd said, it's been so long since we've been able to talk to each other. And you'd... said you'd always had a minute or two for me. Which, ya know, made me feel kind of special."

"I never meant anything that special by it. True, I never went around saying it to everyone else, but, you've been around since the Proving, like you said. You've been around me for quite a few years now - ever since I became a Seeker for the Nora - and it was only a..." She pauses, thinking of a nicer way to finish. "...friend-to-friend statement. It's not like I meant it as a heart-to-heart."
Erend sighs. "I see." That still wouldn't put him down, though. "But that's all right. I understand what you mean by that."

Aloy nods as they fully approach the farm area. "The Maizelands... I've always thought this area was nice-looking."
"Isn't it?" Erend agrees. "I've always found them really pretty. Especially when you come at the right time of day."

"Definitely." The two look around the area, the sun hitting it just right.

"I know it's farmland and all, but come on - it's pretty nice. The area surrounding it, too."

"It's a nice area."

The Royal Maizelands really weren't that big on their own. It's truly the outside of the area, right after leaving them, that they found to be the best. There was a bridge there, sitting above a small river. Erend sits himself down, inviting Aloy to join him.

"Thanks for deciding to stay," he says, looking over at her. "I wouldn't have... well, been able to understand everything otherwise."

"It didn't take that long for you to understand."

"No, and I get that. I just wanted to thank you... because I know this is way out of your way back to Ban-Ur and the Cut."

"It is, but I chose to come down this way before heading into Thunder's Drum with Aratak and Ourea... I managed to become the Werak's Chieftain. At least temporarily."

"That's cool, Aloy. I knew you had something special."
"But I don't plan to stay the Chieftain. Of course, I challenged Aratak and won, yet almost lost by default since there were some Fireclaws that had come to attack and I defeated them... Aratak told the rest of the Werak that I was deserving of that spot of Chieftain."

"You are."
"Oh, stop. I can't stand the extra titles. From outcast, to Anointed, to savage... and now Chieftain. I've always just wanted to be plain Aloy. Nothing more than that."

"I respect that."

"I... plan to return the Chieftain title back to Aratak after we complete Thunder's Drum. Who knows, then, when I'll be back to Ban-Ur?"

"I think that's a smart decision. Since you're always going back and forth between settlements."

"I know it is, thanks." She retorts. "I just wonder what's so bad about Thunder's Drum... That Aratak wouldn't let anyone go there."

"I'm sure it's something - but knowing you, you'll persevere. You'll get through it and hopefully not sacrifice anyone in the process of it."
"I try not to unless absolutely necessary, especially when it's an ally."

"Which is the best thing you can do."
"I know." She smiles at him.