The following day, Lana guided Evelyn and me deep into the forest, ascending high into the mountains.
We found ourselves in an area surrounded by Tamarack trees. Fresh snow clung heavily to every slender twig, transforming their natural conical shapes into pristine, white silhouettes, like giant, unadorned Christmas trees.
Lana wore an off-the-shoulder white blouse of lightweight fabric, its wide neckline baring her collarbones and shoulders. Dark brown leather belts and straps intricately cinched her waist and hips, her hair pulled back in a neat bun.
Evelyn wore the same attire as Lana, appearing remarkably unfazed by the biting cold.
Lana had dressed me for flexibility over warmth: a white long-sleeved shirt with a high neckline, layered under a dark sleeveless vest. Brown leather straps formed an 'X' across my chest, connecting to a wide, multi-layered belt at my waist. Dark, fitted trousers were tucked into knee-high brown leather boots.
