silversnowfall | [65][written/action]

[65][written/action]

[At last. Peaceful, mostly sunny. No sign of the moon, or masks, or costumes.

...And Nephry is moving through the plaza at the pace and with the general stiff gait of an old woman.

Fitting, she thinks.

Near the fountain she sits on a bench, opening the journal on her lap. She's never been one to make announcements too personal, or to call unnecessary attention to herself. A chill breeze lifts a few pages of the book, though, and she smiles, writing.]

Winter is coming. [a pause, and then] It's still strange to me, sometimes. Even after living here for a couple of years...I still expect the cold and snow to be a more permanent visitor.

Do you enjoy the snow? Or do you prefer warmer climates?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In the plaza, near the fountain.

Is it all right if I come join you?

Of course, Tear. I'm not hard to find here.

[When has it ever not been okay?]

[It's more for the sake of politeness than anything.]

Then I'll be there shortly.

Very well. I'm not going anywhere.

[The gargantuan effort required to move herself isn't worth it with no destination.]

[It's not long before Tear reaches where Nephry is in the plaza, and not yet aware of the fact that it's her birthday since she hasn't heard Jade's message yet.]

Are you all right, Nephry?

I'm feeling better today, yes.

[Regardless of whether or not Tear knows what happened, she should know that Nephry spent Halloween in bed.]

How are you?

I'm doing well. [As well as anyone can be after going through an apocalyptic and being forced to relive the near-death of one of your most precious people.]

Are you sure you should be moving already?

[Her smile turns just a little sheepish.]

I couldn't bring myself to stay inside today. Would you advise me otherwise?

[Tear returns the smile with one of her own. Any other time she would have, but she remembers being stuck in bed not that long ago herself.] You're not showing too much physical strain, and some fresh air would do you some good. But I would advise against pushing yourself if you don't want to spend longer in bed.

[Nephry works very hard not to overdo it. She dislikes it when her brother or his friends go to such extremes, so she can hardly do so herself. While she is stiff and aching, and moves very slowly, there are only a handful of autumn days like this in the year.]

Believe me, I don't. I'll be careful.

[The melodist responds with a nod; she knows Nephry wouldn't push herself like she and the others tend to. It made her wonder how much good it really did.]

... I take it snow will begin falling soon?

It certainly seems like it. ...I do worry about the people here who are new, or have never seen the snow, and might not know how to prepare for colder weather.

Yes, it does make the situation all the more difficult to deal with. [Without meaning to she smiles softly, remembering her own arrival here.]

No one is forcing you to stand, you know, Tear. [Come on daughter sit down with your mother.]

Ah, thank you... [Yes Mommy, she's coming over to sit right next you upon invitation.]

How much time will you be spending here?

A little while. I thought I might stop by the bakery, and bring something home.

Is that so? What do you have in mind? [She or Anise could always try baking whatever it is sometime...]

Something interesting. I could always choose a cake, but...there are so many other options.

There are... but why a cake particularly?

[Are you the only person who isn't aware of all of Jade's trolling? ...Well.]

Oh... [watch her face turn a little red, even.] It was just a thought.

[Yes, because she is Tear and closed the journal before Jade was able to respond and hasn't checked since.]

Nephry...?

[Well, if you insist. Have a rather embarrassed smile.]

It's my birthday today.

It is? Why didn't you mention it before? [Honestly Nephry, they could have arranged at least a nice dinner for you.]

We were a little preoccupied, weren't we? ...And I don't feel compelled to call attention to myself. Birthdays here...don't even quite feel real.

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