“'Tis came in for you this morning, pup, but I hadn’t the chance to hand it over 'til now.”

Winter sank into a puffy chair by the desk and opened the letter.

When she finished reading, she looked up. “I'll be leaving again”

“Will'e come to pick you up again?”

“Yes.”

“And you shan't be back for a long time, I'm supposing. And no talking it over makes a difference with you.”

Winter decided not to answer that. Instead, she stood up and said, “Will that be all?”

Nora watched her for a while before nodding.

“Yes-- oh, no, no, 'ne more thing. That one who fancies himself Boss needs our fridge charged again. Magic’s just 'bout to run out.”

Winter sighed. “I will need a day off to do that, but it's really busy now.”

“I know, pup, but new products arrived from Northland th'other day… snow troll milk, you know him tastes, he only trusts you with the magic levels in there. I’ll give you ‘few days off, cross my heart. The rest can handle the rest.”

Wondering if this was some elaborate plan to tire her enough so she wouldn't leave, and feeling her energy sapped already, Winter nodded.

“I’ll finish my shift and get to it.”

“Thank you, puppy.”