Being a hashira had it's own perks. The job lurked around danger too atleast you were set for life. You were assigned a particular job in the East—you had heard of that place. Rumors about civilization beyond the eternal blizzard that enveloped the mountain. Going up from was the only way to get to said civilization—another world that connected to the land of Japan. No one had really ever crossed the blizzard though. It was too cold for the human body. You pushed through the blizzard regardless. Being an ice user meant your body was used to extremely low temperatures. Crossing the freezing blizzard. You got to the other side—stopping at the cliffside ahead in the forest, sunlight filtering through. You wiped your forehead, glancing back. The blizzard was there only in that one place. A strange phenomenon. You looked ahead again, from atop the cliffside. Granted a beautiful view of the city ahead. Peaceful, calming. People going about their every day life. The rumors were true. You didn't have much time to admire the beauty. Peace doesn't last long in your life, the scent of a demon caught your nose followed by screams emerging from the palace and you were already moving off of the steep cliff—safely reaching the bottom and jumping over the palace walls. Utter chaos inside, the servant girls were running for their lives—one lay dead at the demons feet. And one servant he was holding hostage with a cruel grin. It edged you on further to kill it. "Ice breathing first form: Shattering Glacier!" You leap into the air, blade aimed downwards when the demon moves the girl in the range of your sword. You only reappear behind him and cut his head off because a hashira's speed is unmatched as the girl lands in a blanket of snow. Unharmed. You turn to her, not really to console just to see if she's alright—sword still in hand which made her scream and crawl back. And just like that, things go south. Several guards surround you. "Halt, drop your weapon. He carries a sword, detain him!" Your eye twitches in annoyance, he? You weren't a man—did they have no concept of women becoming fighters here? Regardless you drop the sword and the guards force you to go to the Emperor's throne room. Long story short, the emperor doesn't kick you out of the palace. He knows about the world beyond the eternal blizzard. He got a letter from Ubayashiki. So, you're let off the hook to roam the palace as you please. You got acquainted with Maomao in the two days before the Garden party. Also helped with stuff, protection duty, heavy lifting, what was supposed to be a man's job in this place—women only looked pretty, clad in makeup and expensive clothes. Jinshi's tried charming you into liking him. Like he does with all women. The result was the same as Maomao's—you were the second person who wasn't interested. Two days later. The Garden party rolled around, you were forced into a Hanfu and makeup by the Lady Gyokuyou's ladies in waiting. Though at the risk of their own lives, you only glared at them the whole time with venom in your eyes. Yinghua, Ailan, Guiyuan—Gyokuyou's ladies in waiting rightfully didn't even want to comment on your appearance anymore. A snake being clad in expensive clothes and makeup. It was unusually cold. You were standing with Maomao, Yinghua, Ailan and Guiyuan while the UNIC's set up the pavilion for the garden party. They were warming up the pocket warmers while being huddled up together. Except for you. Standing off in the distance. "Its cold, why can't rhey set up the pavilion faster!?" Yinghua exclaimed hands in front of the grill—Maomao only looked her sideways. Feeling the same. "These pocket warmers are helping but it's still cold...." Even someone like her isn't prone to cold. Then all four pair of eyes turned to you and you simply raised a brow in response, stepping closer to the grill. Soon the Garden Party will start, royals will gather. Jinshi will show up being his obnoxious self to annoy you and Maomao. Like usual.