Perhaps I was naïve, foolish, wide-eyed and incredibly unprepared. Perhaps I thought the climes of Antarctica, and the survival training I went through to qualify to live there for the time that I did, prepared me suitably for this world. Everyone kept talking about the upcoming season as some kind of metaphysical being, some weather event that was also sentient, that was out to kill and torture any who did not take necessary precautions.
I suppose I should keep reminding myself that I was in Antarctica during the middle of summer, which was survivable, but only by those who had undergone the rigorous training to qualify for a spot there. My logical, scientific brain knew that temperatures plummeted there in winter, knew that all human life fled the southern island to warmer climes for exactly that reason - survival.
So when the man before me insisted I take more care, albeit kindly enough, I nodded, and fully intended to heed the advice a bit more seriously.
"Chulane," I offer in response to his name, easily falling into step with him, towards the Kraai. "I came through the Portal, some weeks ago, from a world very different to this one," I begin. "How about yourself?"
I suppose I should keep reminding myself that I was in Antarctica during the middle of summer, which was survivable, but only by those who had undergone the rigorous training to qualify for a spot there. My logical, scientific brain knew that temperatures plummeted there in winter, knew that all human life fled the southern island to warmer climes for exactly that reason - survival.
So when the man before me insisted I take more care, albeit kindly enough, I nodded, and fully intended to heed the advice a bit more seriously.
"Chulane," I offer in response to his name, easily falling into step with him, towards the Kraai. "I came through the Portal, some weeks ago, from a world very different to this one," I begin. "How about yourself?"
Chulane
