I enjoy the snow. I’ve always loved the winter, as early as I can remember. I don’t care to dwell on much of my childhood, but I adore the snow. Ravkan winters are windy, which is, of course, excellent for a Squaller such as myself. My companion enjoys it less, as a Materialki. She prefers to be inside, and requires sufficient coaxing to lure her out of her little laboratory. I do not understand the majority of what she does. She’s quiet, and I like silence. That’s how we became close, I suppose. She’s tall and awkward, taking to the corners in the interest of using her powers to build things. She’s a creator, at the base of herself. She made my amplifier, actually. I told the Darkling I refused to have anyone else do it for me because I didn’t trust their craftsmanship.

Today is one of the mornings I have dragged her out for a stroll. I am not above using the promise of bodily pleasure to entice her. In fact, that’s how I woke her up this morning. That’s likely the only reason she conceded to come along with me. She sips from a thermos of coffee with cream, blinking blearily at the brightness of the snow. I glance her way, and I smile a little. She’s adorable when she’s tired. We don’t hold hands or anything; too public for me. But we walk side by side. My hands are tucked into a bear-fur muff, her hands are stuffed into the pockets of her purple kefta. “I’m starving, Zoya. When will you be finished?” She asks, blowing on her hands to warm them up. Her fingers are long and agile, and always stained from her building, or the coal from her design sketches.

I glance over at her, a pout settling on my lips. “We’ve barely even been out, and you’re complaining already. Saints.” I say, and she shoves me. She checks her watch, and brandishes her wrist in my face. “We’ve been out here an hour. They’re serving breakfast!” She responds, her pale cheeks and nose pink with cold. She takes a sip of her coffee, glaring at me. I roll my eyes as we turn around and head back inside the Little Palace. I shove her back, and she stumbles into a stone column. She doesn’t retaliate, but she does curse in Ravkan, under her breath. I snort, and she smiles at me. It’s fleeting, as we’re entering the finding hall, but I know she must be glad to have made me laugh. I don’t laugh much. I think she’s obnoxious, and she thinks I’m obnoxious. All in all, it makes for some interesting conversation.

We go to the buffet, and make up our plates. She gets the standards- eggs, toast, sausage, and her third cup of coffee. I decide upon some oatmeal with cream and brown sugar, as well as a muffin. We find our usual spots in the corner, and she digs in with gusto. I’m much more refined about how I eat, but I don’t think she could care any less. We don’t have much conversation as we eat, but that’s not unusual for us. I snicker at her, and she flips me off. We eat the rest of our breakfast quietly, and then decide to slop away. I should be training right now, but I’ve made myself comfortable in her bed, wrapped in her arms. This is more for her than it is for me, because I know how much she enjoys cuddling. I do enjoy being wrapped up in her and warm, but if anybody asks I’ll insist I’m just being charitable.