To Chase a Dream ⇾ Aloy

four: a brother's proving and an electrifying experiment

The lanterns glow in the dark night as they rise higher and higher. The aspirants crane their necks to watch them go. Among them are Varl and Flek. They're both smiling, their hands clasped together and with their hearts full. The calm before the upcoming Proving.

Flek mumbles something to Varl and makes his way over to Lorea. She's standing all the way to the back and upon seeing him approach, pushes herself off the wall she was leaning against. Her whole posture changes from wary and tense to something more relaxed. She's about to say something but her brother merely wraps his arms around her.

"Thank you," he murmurs against her shoulder. Tears prick behind his eyes, but he doesn't let them spill.

"Sewing isn't my strong suit, but I did my best," she mumbles back.

He lets go and smiles. "It was perfect."

She fumbles with a loose thread and smiles as well, although hers is directed at her feet. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Now are you ready for some dancing?"

Her face falls. She frantically shakes her head, slowly backing away. "No no no. I'll leave the dancing to you and Varl. I have other things to take care of. Have fun you two!" With that she rushes away, disappearing into the crowd streaming down the mountain. She weaves through the Nora's avoiding elbows and excited hand gestures. Loud conversations surround her, all jolly and cheerful and some slightly incomprehensible because the person had too much to drink.

She spots her parents happily drinking their problems away as usual. The small amount of hope she had, that they would at least get their act together on this day dwindles into nothingness. They're not worth even another glance.

The smell of boar stew wafts up from a nearby fire. Her stomach growls and she hesitates. Standing in line for food and having to deal with her fellow Nora or ignoring the delicious smell and lock herself inside her house.

"Lorea, fancy a bowl of stew?" The blonde smiles at her and the decision is made.

While Talara prepares a bowl of stew for another Nora, Lorea takes the time to inspect her change in appearance. Her hair freely flows down her shoulders, with two small braids tying her hair back and out of her face. Instead of her heavy hunting clothes she's wearing something lighter and quite casual. To the explorer this is the most intriguing Talara has ever looked.

"Here." The blonde holds out a bowl of stew. Lorea wraps her hands around it and smiles a thank you. That's all she can manage when Talara is looking at her like she's doing. With red dusting her cheeks and a small smile on her face she enters her home. She shakes her head and rids her mind of any distractions.

"Orbs, you there?" She calls out in the dimly lit room.

He beeps in response and a soft blue light appears in the dark. Somewhere near her bed if she's right. She takes a bite of her stew and plucks him out of her bag. "Please say you managed to find it?"

He chirps in response.

"Good we go tomorrow."

A short, high pitched beep comes from the orb.

"Yes, of course after we've wished Flek good luck," she takes another bite. "Now let's make a plan."

~

A chilly wind ruffles through the armor of the group of Nora's. The sun has barely reached the edge of the sky; it's rays paint the sky a soft pink with lines of purple streaking through it.

The group of contestants are nervously gathered outside the gate of Mother's Heart. Flek and Varl stand near the back whispering to each other and sharing an uneasy smile. There atmosphere is tense with an underlying tone of excitement at the prospect of winning the Proving. A brave overlooking the process gathers them so they can leave for the trail.