Submission (#4435) Approved

Miyu glowered as she walked behind the pink kittom up the mountain pass, making sure to keep her distance. While they were traveling together, she had to be wary of someone like Ayameko. Her brother said so, after all ! Sure, the other had saved her. . . but so what ? She had lied once, and Miyu wasn’t going to miss if she lied again. Plus, she’s dangerous !

. . .But certainly not as dangerous as these frigid wind chills, Miyu thought to herself as she shivered from the cold. Strynhalde was such a foreign place compared to the warm beaches of Palu’au. The white snow that lay fresh on the ground, undisturbed until her steps fell deep into it ; the trees that sparkled in the sunlight, almost frozen in place. When Miyu first saw it, her eyes sparkled just the same. Now, in this snowstorm, she looked back to see her prints immediately being swept away and hidden from sight. Once the storm passes, maybe it’ll be like they were never there. . .

The girl shuddered at the thought, remembering just what season they were in. She opened her mouth to speak, before closing it once more and looking away with a huff. She wasn’t about to start a conversation with Aya ; maybe Aya wouldn’t even want to hear what she had to say, anyway. . . Miyu thought back to Palu’au, hoping it would warm up her body. No matter what, though, she came back to reality with each new step into the snow.

So then, let’s think of something else ! Like. . . Miyu thought for a moment, eventually coming to the Feyhallow season itself. What kind of scary stories does she know ? She glanced up at Aya through the snow that flitted into her eyes. What kind of scary stories does Aya know ? Pondering that, she considered opening her mouth again. . . then noticed something not that far off. It looked ominous. Unnatural. Monstrous. She squinted her eyes to try and get a better look, but the snow made it hard to discern. Then she heard the moaning. Oh, no. Miyu felt a shriek on the back of her throat, but she kept it clamped shut and nothing more than a squeak came out that was swallowed up by the snow. Was there any kind of story about a monster in the snows of Strynhalde ? The moaning echoed in her ears, almost like screams. A moment of the scenery when she first arrived in this land flashed through her mind, the beauty she had witnessed of the white tree trunks and the leaves that she swore were crystal. 

Screw that, this land is anything but that ! Miyu rushed forward, grabbing Ayameko and shoving her between Miyu and whatever monstrous figure was in the distance. The other sputtered moments of protest and confusion, but Miyu would have none of it.

“ Shut up ! You’re a fighter, aren’t you ? So go. . . take care of that monster ! “

 However, when Ayameko meant to move, Miyu tightened her hold and refused to let the pink kittom budge. They stood there for what seemed like ages to Miyu, who was tense as can be as she watched the figure with intense eyes. Ayameko seemed unsure of what to do herself, not wishing to push the other kittom away, and supposed she could take a more defensive stance instead. So, they stood there in the snow that swirled around them as if in a dance.

Then, as if given pity by some magical creature, the wind began to slow. Miyu was motionless even still, save for the shivering that permeated her body from the cold. She watched, eyes narrowed, as the snow began to calm. . . and the figure came into view. Her body rippled for a moment, as if ready to yell “ ah ha ! “ at whoever dared approach, but her expression instead fell into one of bewilderment, for the figure was little more than a rock formation. The calm snow that now fell around them landed gingerly on the rocks, leaving speckles of white that would surely pile on without any disturbance.

Miyu was silent, but a sound did escape her companion. A soft laugh, that grew into a giggle. Ayameko looked as if she was trying to keep it in, but was failing to do so. Miyu’s face flushed, both from how cute she found Ayameko’s laugh as well as the embarrassment. She briskly let go of the other and backpedaled to the distance she had had prior to this frightening moment.

“ Don’t laugh ! It’s not like you knew what it was ! It could have been anything ! “

Miyu huffed, looking ashamed that someone like Ayameko could have seen her like this. Her pomu took this moment to peek out, sensing that the snow had come to a peaceful fall, and let out a chirp of concern as it saw the two kittoms. Miyu immediately grabbed her pomu and held it close, cheeks puffed out as she brushed along the familiar’s fur. She refused to look Ayameko in the eye, sulking and instead finding comfort in her pomu.

“ Oh, come on now Miyu. . . “

Ayameko’s voice was soft, though the bright hint of laughter was still in her voice. Miyu could tell the other was approaching, but even still her gaze stayed stuck to her pomu who seemed quite content in her hold. Certainly, it was only Miyu and her pomu here. No Aya. No rock formation. Nothing.

“ I don’t really blame you, what with the season and all. The way the rocks are formed looks quite manmade, as well. Maybe it was a prank from Feyhallow ? “

Miyu’s ear twitched, and her face looked like she was seriously thinking. Yes, that’s certainly it. It’s not my fault at all for getting scared ! Immediately regaining her confidence, she jolted her head upright. How could she let herself look like such a loser in front of Ayameko ? Not that she meant she wanted to look cool in front of her, just. . . that she didn’t want to be on the same level as Aya.

“ Miyu, look. “

She was already looking. The snow had begun to clear well enough that they could see the eldertree from below the mountain pass. The white leaves blended in with the snow below, but the distinct blue of the trunk and the light of the sky were enough to give a clear view. The sunlight hit perfectly just then, and the land glittered like gems. It was a beautiful sight, enough to make Miyu forget all about the terror she had just experienced.