[SE] dashing through the snow

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

In a dell between two sweeping hills about an hour's walk outside the Domicile, a cottage lay nestled into a winter-gray copse of trees. Bordering on overgrown, with evergreen vines snaking up the thick stone walls and a crooked chimney stack that looked about ready to fall in on itself, it was just large enough for two people - and some guests - who enjoyed their privacy. Surrounded by snow-covered fields, it looked cozy enough but came with a few drawbacks that the owners hadn't really considered when they chose to move in. One was the sheer amount of firewood it would take to keep two Ancients warm through the long winter, the other was the effort it would take to keep the road clear enough to get there and into the city. And the third was how difficult it might be for guests - or other services - to reach them, when they inevitably realized that they didn't want to do something themselves.

Maea had spent much of the day making rounds to the window to peer out through the snowfall for a sign of the firewood she had bought. The farmer had promised he'd get it delivered that day, but as the hours wound down and sunlight started to fade she was not only growing impatient, but actually worried. The kitchen table was laden with evergreens and ribbons, twigs and other fancies she had gathered, intending to decorate the common rooms to try and take her mind off the approaching LongNight. But so far only one wreath had been completed, and sat by the door, accusing her whenever she walked past for her inability to focus.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!

Not knowing the area, Hadama had been unable to teleport to the secluded little cottage. It did not bother him to walk, though he felt the cold far more keenly now that he was no longer part of the Academy and had lost its blessing. Well-bundled up against the Deepfrost chill, he had embarked on a visit to the pale Ancient he called friend. There was news to share, and he was slowly gaining confidence with his new abilities even if they were different than what he'd known as a Mer.

Only being able to teleport at night, for example, was a larger drawback than he had anticipated.

He was not the only one having trouble finding Maea's residence, as it turned out. Or at least, reaching it. He had come across a farmer whose wagon had foundered in the snow and it had taken both of them to free it. With the farmer leading his horse and Hadama pushing from behind they finally made it to their destination, albeit rather later than the Tidebreaker had intended.

He stood back by the sled, a tall, silent, broad-shouldered shape bundled in furs and with his face hidden between a scarf and cap, while the farmer knocked on the door of the cottage and called out. "Maea? Y'home, gel?"

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

There came a sound like a chair falling over and the rapid thuds of approaching footsteps. When the door opened it was in a rush of warm air and the scent of wood smoke and something savory that's cooking for a long time. (Not burned, not yet at least.) The light spilled out around the figure of the petite woman, comfortably dressed in a homespun wool dress and with a look of intense relief on her face.

"Uncle Merles! It's good to see you, I was worried something had happened." Looking past the burly man, an old acquaintance of her father's, she took in the tired horses and the bundled up shape that stood half-hidden behind the heavily laden sled. "Who's your friend? That's not Stian, is it?" Hesitating, she looked between the farmer and the figure. She didn't remember any of his sons being that tall.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!

"An' it did!" the farmer chuckled. "But this big'un gave me a hand an' we got the sled unstuck between us." He gave a rueful shake of his head, looking back at the horse who stamped impatiently in the snow. "Young Tess 'ere got goin' a bit fast 'round that curve in the ol' road back by the standin' stone an' took the whole sled sideways into a drift." And she didn't look like she regretted it at all, though she was impatient to get back to her warm barn and a bucket of hot mash.

"Aw, naw, Stian's home nursin' a sprained ankle," Merles snorted with a wave of his hand. Hadama, not one to let work go undone, had begun to unload the sledge, shifting bundles of firewood to pile against the wall by the front door in easy reach. He had kept his head tucked down into his scarf until Maea asked about him, and then he looked up to meet her eyes, his own emerald green ones peeking out from the dark skin of his face that was mostly muffled in warm wool. "He don't half say much, does 'e?" Merles said. "Said he's a friend of yours, though?"

One emerald eye closed in a wink as Hadama straightened fully and tugged his scarf down to reveal his face as he gave the petite woman a polite nod as if this was the most normal thing in the world. "Hello, Maea." Mischief danced in his gaze as he sniffed appreciatively at the aroma of cooking food wafting out into the cold. "May I come in?"

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

Listening with rapt attention to the unfolding tale, Maea was too engaged and too busy rubbing her arms against the cold to pay much attention to the stranger, at least until the farmer brought the conversation back to him. Her eyes widened with surprise at the revelation who it was, then a wide smile spread across her face.

"Hadama! Of course. Come in. And you dealt with the firewood for me - that's too much, you really didn't have to." Holding the door open wider to let her friend inside, she smiled at Merles too. "And what about you, would you like to come in for something warm after all your hard work? I can't thank you enough for the wood..."

Past a narrow foyer where a an inbuilt flight of stairs spiralled up towards the loft, the kitchen lay warm and inviting. Whitewashed walls and dark beams in the ceiling spoke of wear and age, and the thickness of the walls lent a sturdy, stubborn sense of imperviousness to the house. It was a neat space, small but well kept except for the mess Maea had left on the mismatched table and chairs. A fire crackled within the hearth, where a pot hung close enough to keep the contents warm.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!

Whether he had to or not was not something the Tidebreaker needed to comment on; the work was done and that meant that no one needed to linger in the cold any longer than they wanted to now. He inclined his head in acceptance and then ducked his head to get through a doorway that had not been built for someone of his height. Merles just beamed to see that the stranger really was a friend of his niece, and a welcome one at that.

"Naw, naw, but thank you. I'm late enough as it is, an' this night's not gettin' any warmer. You be takin' care, gel, an' I'll see you next week." With a wave, Uncle Merles headed back to turn the wagon and the tempermental young Tess around and head home to his own family and dinner.

Hadama had paused just inside the door to begin the process of removing the heaviest outermost layers of his winterwear: gloves off, scarf unwound, coat unbuttoned and hung on a waiting hook, and the heavy boots paintstaking unlaced to free heavy-stockinged feet. Only then did he look around the inside of the cozy little home with interest, emerald eyes eventually falling on the table with its layer of greenery. "I hope I am not interrupting...?" he asked, turning to look at his hostess with a flicker of concern in eyes the same shade as some of the decorations.

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

Waving the farmer off as he turned the sled around, it took her a moment to retreat inside and close the door against the cold. Rubbing her arms to get some warmth back into them, Maea smiled at Hadama and shook her head; if she reeled at the strangeness of having him in her house it didn't show on her face. "Not at all. I've just been waiting for Merle to show up... I couldn't quite focus." Padding across the floor in soft wool slippers, she began to pile the greenery up enough to make a dent where one could sit. "Have you eaten? There's stew in that pot by the hearth if you would like some. Nothing fancy, but it's warm."

From a cupboard she pulled down plates, mugs and utensils, and returned to set the table. A pitcher of water flavored with mint and apple rings was nestled in beside a roll of yarn and a basket with bread; seating herself in her usual spot she leaned back with a contented sigh to gaze curiously at her friend. "I'll admit, I'm surprised to see you. What brings you all the way out here?"

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!

"Mmh. The cold?" he asked, given the delivery of firewood. He followed her to the chair, grateful that the cottage had a high ceiling except for beneath the loft, and settled into it with a slight shake of his head. "I have not," he admitted on the subject of food. There was a moment of hesitation as he tilted his head at her in silent inquiry as to whether she was inviting him to serve himself; to each their own expectations of friends and guests, and it was better to ask before risking unintentional offense. "It took longer to free the sled than anticipated."

He took the time while Maea set the table to examine the strands of greenery that adorned the other chairs, curious as he ran his fingers lightly over the slightly prickly needles of the evergreen boughs. Her return drew his eyes back to her, however, amusement glinting in their depths. "Hmm. It was farther out than I expected," he admitted. "But worth the walk. Have you met a young man named Zavien?"

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

Noticing his pause, Maea gave him a lopsided grin. "Make yourself at home," she told him, gesturing for him to help himself to the food. Having eaten herself not too long ago she reached for a breadroll and poured herself a cup of water, mostly to keep him company while he ate. "Not so much the cold, I just expected him to be here around noon. If he hadn't shown up now I would have gone out to search."

"Hs, that's half the point," she laughed. "My housemate is almost as unsocial as I am." Tearing off a piece of bread she popped it into her mouth. Chewing thoughtfully Maea considered the question, flipping through her memory, to no avail. "No, I don't think so. Name doesn't ring a bell. Why?"

Finally able to wind down, she reached for a few branches, some thread and the knife. It was soothing to have something to occupy her hands with, even such a trivial thing as binding a wreath.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!

Inclining his head in gratitude, Hadama moved to collect a bowl and ladle it full of the savory-smelling stew. He returned to the table to accept a roll and settled in to enjoy the food, drink, and good company on the cold Deepfrost night. He was content to let Maea answer his questions while he ate slowly, enjoying the play of flavors on his tongue and how they worked together.

At hearing that she was antisocial he only lifted steely brows in silent amusement at the claim. "Hmm. Indeed," he merely murmured, emerald eyes twinkling as he blew on his spoon before taking another bite. He watched her clever fingers beginning to make festive decorations out of bits and bobs and branches, making note of how and what she was doing with them. "An interesting young man from Stormbreak," he revealed between bites. "A... helpful one. If you need assistance in your research--" into the Void, its infection, and effects, "I believe he would be willing to help." A bite of roll followed before he added, almost as an afterthought: "And we have finished the barrier against the Void around Haulani." Which was a much more exciting announcement two weeks ago.

He tilted his head at her curiously as he took a sip of the fruit-infused water. "Who is your roommate?"

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

"Oh, I see. Helpful, you say... does he have any experience with research?" Thinking of the student whose ghost she'd helped to exorcise, it wasn't without a certain trepidation Maea considered the stranger. Eager young people had a tendency to get themselves into trouble, she knew that from painful experience.
News about the completed barrier had her brighten with relief. "That's really good news," she smiled, letting out a breath. "I'm sure you saw when passing through the Inner Quarter, but ours is completed too. Not sure what I think of the red tint of the sky so far, but it's a good sight better than sleeping in fear of the void." The cottage lay just within the barrier, thankfully, but a good deal of farms and vills did not. The Grounds was too big to ward as a whole, no matter how she wished otherwise.

Tying off a section of the wreath, Maea began to tidy up the branches and filled in any spots that looked thin or barren. Bending it so that the ends met, she wove the strands together and tied it off with more rope, then reached for a ribbon to add a pop of color to the green.
"Her name is Ophelia. She's an ancient too, and an albino, just like me. Apparently we've lived within a stone's throw of each other for most of our lives without ever realizing the other existed." A touch of excitement entered her voice, and her smile was a soft thing. "She's nice. Far freer in her ways than me - makes me realize how uptight I am in some ways."

Tying a bow on the ribbon, she set the finished wreath aside to start on another.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!