It still felt weird to be out during LongNight.
For most of Tal's young life the fatal cold of Deepfrost had made it dangerous to travel even within the Citadel, and during LongNight the constant dark made it even worse. Only the recent advent of Frey's blessing and the shield over the city made it possible, but tradition held much of the populace safely within their own homes even now and the streets were eerily empty as the courier trudged over the snow-laden streets.
His goggles allowed him to see at least a short distance around him; enough to note the landmarks he'd grown up with and read the corner signs when he drew close enough, without need to risk a torch.
Boreal paced beside him and he felt the slight pressure that came from her looking through his eyes; borrowing his sight the way he sometimes borrowed hers. She was a welcome wall of warmth against his thigh and hip (a separate weight shifted against his other side) as they made their way to a house he'd asked directions to before the sun had set for the last time of the year.
There was a final hesitation as he raised his hand to knock on the door; the knowledge that it wasn't too late to turn back. But...
With a silent, internal grumble he rapped his gloved knuckles on the wood, calling out gruffly. "Sah? It's me. Are y'there?"
For most of Tal's young life the fatal cold of Deepfrost had made it dangerous to travel even within the Citadel, and during LongNight the constant dark made it even worse. Only the recent advent of Frey's blessing and the shield over the city made it possible, but tradition held much of the populace safely within their own homes even now and the streets were eerily empty as the courier trudged over the snow-laden streets.
His goggles allowed him to see at least a short distance around him; enough to note the landmarks he'd grown up with and read the corner signs when he drew close enough, without need to risk a torch.
Boreal paced beside him and he felt the slight pressure that came from her looking through his eyes; borrowing his sight the way he sometimes borrowed hers. She was a welcome wall of warmth against his thigh and hip (a separate weight shifted against his other side) as they made their way to a house he'd asked directions to before the sun had set for the last time of the year.
There was a final hesitation as he raised his hand to knock on the door; the knowledge that it wasn't too late to turn back. But...
With a silent, internal grumble he rapped his gloved knuckles on the wood, calling out gruffly. "Sah? It's me. Are y'there?"
