Disclaimer: I don't own any part of HZD. Again, I didn't use a beta reader. This was originally set to be either a romance or a fighting chapter, but I'm not a fan of Deus Ex Machina. That will make sense in like 2 or 3 chapters.

So, chapter eight will now be the romance chapter. I think I have to write it.

Also, I want to apologize to anyone who read the chapter 5 quick shitty ending but continued to read on anyway so also say thanks. Aloy ending up with Varl is not the endgame, but that being said, Ikrie's not having a good day tomorrow in story.

Chapter 7

With no goals set, the two women kissed and made out in various settings within the tent. It began in the chair, then after Aloy wanted to remove her jacket, it moved to standing beside the bed. More clothing came off until they were both down to their underclothes, and then they moved onto the bed narrow bed that forced them to lie close together. It was the reason they ended up throwing the furs on the floor the night before, the bunks didn't leave a lot of room to maneuver. Most of their touches were non-sexual, but at times someone's hands would "accidently" caress a sensitive part on the body of the other causing them to gasp, or moan, or even giggle.

It didn't turn into full out sex, as in between make-out sessions, they also used their lips to make conversation. Aloy talked about the fighting style of previous Rockbreakers she had fought, just because Ikrie wouldn't share anything personal until her curiosity about the monsters met some satisfaction. Afterwards, Ikrie talked about the man who had taught her how to be a marksman, it was the son of their Werak's chief. He also taught other children, but Mailen learned from her father. The chief's son was not thought of as being a great hunter, but not because he was bad at it, but because he was lazy. He didn't like to have to clean his weapons, or skinning animals or scavenging through the bodies of fallen machines. His saving virtue was that he had the patience to teach, and was very good at making arrow heads. The story didn't go beyond that before the Banuk inquired the Nora about different aspects of growing up an outcast.

The extended hours of foreplay with unsexy chats left their bodies buzzing by the time Lauvuk whacked something against the door flap and announced they should come out and eat. It was a true hardship to get any amount of clothing back on either woman. Aloy opted to not put on her entire Shield Weaver and instead just put on her Outcast gear with her Banuk gloves. It would be colder, but she didn't plan on being outside for very long. Ikrie did similarly, putting on only the heavy jacket and pants.

They also needed to give their host a list of things for purchase. Since neither carried parchment paper, it was decided they would just gave to verbally relay their needs which were not too extensive: Arrows, all varieties and as many that can be spared. Blast bombs. Trip caster ammunition, also any and all to be spared. Bandages, salvebrush, and if it was possible to acquire an Oseram beverage also known as Oserum, as an elixer if they survive the ordeal. This one was Ikrie's request, Aloy didn't have a taste for alcohol, especially after watching what a fool it made of Erend, but if and when they made it, she would slug back a shot to celebrate.

It was not quite dark when the women emerged from the tent. The temperature was much more mild than it was earlier signalling that either there was more snow coming, or the springtime was finally arriving in the north.

They sat by Lauvuk around the fire and before they began eating told her what they would need. The older woman didn't have much to say on the matter, she handed them their bowls for the stew and left them to help themselves.

Lauvuk was still irate with them for wanting to go on this quest. The longer she sat and thought about it, the angrier she felt. In her life, she had seen the best of hunters stand with certainly and declare that this was the day The Claws Beneath would be vanquished. Her breast ached above her heart. It always hurt when she thought of her long dead child whose newborn silvery blue eyes looked up to her for protection. Lauvuk had been proud of of Nichai for being chosen to hunt with Umnak, but if she knew that day in the old Werak it would be the last time to embrace her daughter, she would have done anything to have stopped her.

She watched Aloy and Ikrie sit close together and make soft and idle conversation as new lovers do. She saw their hands reach for one another, offering the other food and her chest filled with sorrow because with certainty, at least one of them would not be returning. Tonight their tent would be filled with the sounds of life and pleasure, but tomorrow, it would be of grieving. They were both fine hunters, she couldn't deny that, but the fact was they were only two and they would be facing an expert killer.

Then, an idea came to her. She, as a groundskeeper was privy to many songs sung throughout The Cut and even Ban-Ur. She also knew that Umnak would not be the only person who would be aware of the return of the Banuk's greatest foe, but she was sure that few would know where to find it. The reason that Lauvuk even knew was because she forced the man to tell her where it was so she could guide people away from it.

The Claws Beneath needed to die, and the odds were good it would take at least one of these women. While she couldn't save them, she could at least avenge them and those already long lost. Lauvuk would negotiate their goods, and then she would leave. She hadn't been far from the grounds of Snowchants for years, but The Cut was The Cut, she knew how to get where she needed to go.

There were other hunters of Aloy's calibre she could approach.

Having read Ikrie's story on her body while tattooing her the first time, she knew whom she would approach would not be people the young woman would want to hunt with. Her life was etched with small victories, but the drawings on her spine, they reflected deep wounds she had endured but had never been permitted to heal from. Lauvuk deduced the woman's esteem for Aloy was the only reason Ikrie would engage in any kind of physical connectivity. For the past few months the girl had been shutting herself out to the world, because that is the way of the Snow Ghost--to hunt alone and leave without tracks, to accept the icy wind as your betrothed, and on your final day, accept her embrace as she claims your final breath and relieves you of your pains.

Ikrie stood up first, having finished her food. She took Aloy's hands and lifted her up to hold her against her body. The way she touched and kissed the outlander, Lauvuk could see her heart open, and if they could just walk away, they could have a chance at happiness. She knew that if she were to tell them now what she was planning to do, their joy would be interrupted. She could only hope that what they forged in the evening would give the girl the strength to face the ones who wrecked her heart in the first place. Or more specifically, one person.

Her mind was set. She had to do it. For the Banuk. For Nichai.

In my mind, Lauvuk would ride off on a strider, but then I thought "because old hunting lodge keepers know how to tame striders now?"

I hope she doesn't have arthritis, she has a long walk ahead of her.