[seasonal event] Toil and trouble

Seiji

Seiji has not ventured so far out in a long time. After the trials of Longnight, he had reason enough to linger near home, looking after Kiada, fixing up the house, learning what he could in the Atheneum. Today, he leaves the Settlement behind for the first time in many days. He has no goal in mind beyond walking, soaking in the rare sunlight and breathing the fresh air. The last time he visited this place, Deepfrost was just tightening his grip. He had come in search of apples then, met Ronin and the diminutive Sugar. He wonders idly how Ronin fared. Surely the man was well-prepared in his Guild Hall. Perhaps Seiji will visit sometime soon, if only to give thanks again for the extra clothes and supplies. Maybe these thoughts lead him near the small orchard. Maybe it is simply luck. But Seiji notices the woman first, her white hair stark against the branches of the trees, her body twisted precariously atop her ladder. Seiji winces as he spies her, and begins in that direction immediately, concerned he is about to see her hurt. He doesn't notice the dog, its white coat pale against the remaining snow. "Hello!" he calls. "Are these your trees?" Or was she simply taking advantage of some she had found? as a child I mostly spoke inside my head had conversations with the clouds, the dogs, the dead