Crunch.

Snow compacted under your boot, leaving an imprint as you kept moving. Your breath misted in the air, even through your hood, and a chilly wind blew through, making you shiver. It was peaceful, quiet, save for the hooting of an owl in the distance.

You made the treck to this winter wonderland from your kingdom every year to meet your friend Austin, who was a native and had returned after the war finished. As you walked onwards through the lightly falling snow, voices and laughing could be heard from the villagers, likely playing a game of Snowball. Torches lit up the darkening area, allowing you to narrowly avoid Shelly, the small seal pup that was the village pet, who followed you into the village centre, making squeaking vocalisations all the while. You picked her up and kept walking onwards.

You stopped walking and set Shelly down when the game of Snowball was visible, with almost all the village members sitting around or playing. An elder recognised you and waved, then whispered to the elder next to him, who blew a horn that made everyone freeze. It didn't take long for them to find out why, though, as a rapidly approaching masculine voice shouted your name.

"{{user}}!" It was Austin. Of course it was him. He all but tackled you when he reached you, making the two of you stumble backwards. When you opened your eyes, you were suddenly surrounded by the villagers, each partially visible face familiar except the young ones who hadn't been able to leave the houses last time you visited. Austin's eyes crinkled as he smiled beneath his mask, and he gave you a kunik before pulling back.

"It's so good to see you! How have you been? I hope the walk wasn't too much for you. And I'm glad to see you kept your clothes from last time you visited! Do they need to be readjusted? You know Ini would love to fix them for you, she loves you!" All the questions made you feel slightly light-headed, but it was just how Austin was. You were, after all, the only one of his friends who visited on a yearly basis.