It was another day at the farm and Minorta had to wake up in the cold.

The clock pointed at somewhere between 5 and 6 am, this early is the usual.

The house doesn’t receive heating until someone wakes up and ignites the fireplace.

Therefore, Minorta doesn’t waste time and gets up, shivering still from the breeze.

The air is as cold as it would be outside, perhaps a little warmer, and she is only wearing light clothes.

In this situation one could simply stay in the bed, but that’s not permitted by the freezing temperature.

Reaching the kitchen, Minorta sits down and uses matches in order to start the fire.

There are some leaves and paper in order to make the temperature enough for the logs to ignite.

This process takes a while and the little lass is only equipped with a blanket until the fireplace eventually lit up.

This is what she is doing every morning, since the snow fell down outside.

“Good morning.” Her brother says.

“Good morning brother.” She replies.

Besides the blond haired girl her brother and her old grandma also reside in this house.

She doesn’t have any other siblings and her mother is no longer here.

On the other hand her father one day said he would be back but he hasn't returned yet.

The girl believes that one day he might return, so she doesn’t lose hope.

Other than those three, there are not many visitors or neighbours that frequent her house.

It’s somewhere in the middle of nowhere, close to a forest and away from civilization.

That is to say because she and her brother can provide for each other, that’s not the problem.

In fact, her brother is not welcoming when it comes to visitors since they might bring about bad news.

“Here, take it.” Minorta’s brother gives her a bucket.

“I know.” She takes it.

“In case you forgot.” He says.

“I would never forget about milking the cows.” She tells him

“Sometimes you do however.” He replies.

“Says who? You forget to put on shoes sometimes!” She exclaims.

“Because it’s faster, and I don’t need shoes for work in summer.” He explains.

“But your feet get dirty and then you have to wash them.” She says.

“They are going to get dirty no matter what I do.” He answers.

“That’s not a point for playing in the mud on purpose.” She responds.

“But at least the shoes don’t get dirty huh?” He smirks.

“I suppose, but you never clean them anyway!” She complains.

After this brief exchange, which is normal for those siblings, they walk outside.

It’s snow everywhere you look. The trees are leafless and there is hardly any green.

The roofs are filled with white and there are icicles hanging from the edges.

Except from the paths to the barn and other facilities everything is peacefully covered by an unruffled snow coat.

The two walk towards the barn and perform their usual, everyday duties.

Her brother cleans up the after products while Minorta milks the cows,

and provides them with wheat that still remains in the storage from previous harvests.

A lot of moo and some chickens can be heard. It is a peaceful morning all in all.

Just that for some reason the farm birds always come inside the barn uninvited.

They probably prefer the company of humans during the winter or are simply hungry.

Since the priority is cows, they wait until their caretakers are done and then they receive their seeds.

Every day is like this at the farm, though in winter the cows are less productive and eventually stop giving out milk at all.

So are the chickens, who don’t think much about laying eggs in the winter.

They do still have a knack at digging in the ground and finding food though,

when they are not heating themselves up inside their hen

Obviously they don’t find much, which is why Minorta has to feed with seeds.

After the morning schedule, the siblings return to the house, which is a little warmed up,

and proceed with making breakfast. The milk they gathered is used, along with other products.

It takes them a bit of time in order to warm the food up, but eventually the meal is done.

With that, the grandma leaves her room and using her walking stick, gets to the chair.

The family can enjoy their breakfast after all this work in the morning.

“I miss going to school now.” Minorta says.

“Why would that be that sister?” Her brother asks.

“Because I don’t know what to do now.” She answers.

“I can give you a job if you want.” He replies.

“Making a snowman? What purpose would that have?” She tells him.

“I was thinking more about sewing.” He says.

“But we don’t have the material.” She replies.

“Then go and buy some.” He suggests.

“With what?” She tilts her head.

“Don’t create problems, just find work.” He adds.

“But you said I should help you around more!” She tells him

“And that’s exactly the helping hand I expect.” He tells her.

“Just because you are sitting here and trying to find things to do…” She complains.

“What can I say, books don’t interest me.” He replies.

“Find some friends instead sitting here on your bottom, will you?” She replies.

At this point the grandmother had enough and hit the ground with her walking stick.

This was an indication that the two siblings are supposed to stop their scuffle.

“Yes grandma, I’m sorry.” Minorta says to her and she nods.

“I’m sorry too, sister.” The brother adds.

With that out of the way, only washing the dishes remains. However, the water is cold,

it needs to heat up a little before it is used with hands. There is plenty of it however,

since the icicles are a good source. They simply require enough time to twat before they are usable.

Naturally the water from the well is used to in the kitchen, but during the winter that’s impossible.

Since only the snow falls down now, it doesn’t fill up the well as much as rain would.

Thus there is a need for a different way of acquiring water in this season.

Minorta and her family use the icicles that stick to the roof as their source.

She tries to break them off using a broom and her brother helps her.

Additionally, they also both sweep the roof so that the snow wouldn’t cause the ceiling to collapse.

With that work done, there is nothing more to do however, thus the girl leaves the house wondering,

looking for something to do in the snow, while her brother stays in the house.

She is just about to go back when something happens.

“Good morning Minorta!” She hears from afar.

Luckily her friend appeared. Ellien, who was carrying the basket, took the shortcut.

Their houses are connected by a small path that cuts through the fields.

It saves time over using the road, but during the winter you have to traverse through the snow.

“Ellien, you have surprised me!” Minorta says running to her friend. “Are you okay? Are you thirsty?”

“Not at all, but I appreciate the concern.” Ellien answers. “I have brought you some goodies.”

“This was not necessary, please come home and warm up a little.” Minorta suggests.

“I would be grateful, yes.” Ellien bows.

“Then let’s not waste time.” Minorta grabs her hand and heads towards home.

During the winter it is easy to catch cold thus the two friends quickly rush to the fireplace.

The shoes are not removed, despite them being coated in snow, but the floor will be cleaned later.

Right now, what is more important is to warm Ellien’s hands, since they are a little red.

“So what gave you the idea?” Minorta asks.

“My grandpa told me to go to the market.” The green haired girl replies.

“Then why would you end up here?” Minorta giggles a little.

“Since I figured that your brother would ask you the same thing.” She explains.

“And he actually did, if you can believe.” Minorta says.

Strangely however, the brother was not in sight. The girls figured he must be somewhere else.

“What did you bring?” Minorta asks curiously looking inside of the basket.

“Just a little leftovers, we didn’t have any luck with the eggs since the little chicks hatched.” Ellien explains.

“I can give you some milk from that.” Minorta suggests.

“So a bargain after all?” Ellien says.

“That way we won’t need to go to the village.” Minorta smiles.

“I presume our the trade wouldn’t function as satisfying the conditions.” Ellien puts her face down.

Since bread doesn’t come from cows or chickens, it is necessary to get a fresh supply from the market.

Alternatively there is the bakery that recently opened, but somehow it doesn’t get many clients.

Despite that in the winter the wheat products are naturally more scarce,

despite that there is a delivery every week and fresh bread baked there every day,

There seems to be a general disinterest in buying from that shop.

The villagers generally prefer the millman and his products.

As for the two girls, who deliberated a little about the bakery’s reputation,

went on the journey to the village, while passing time with a small talk.

“Remember the last time we went there?” Minorta asks.

“Yes, I’m positive that we went there with Pyrie.” Ellien says.

“But the bread was good!” Minorta states. “I really would like to go there again but my brother will get mad at me for spending too much money.”

“It’s not like it’s wasted, it’s really good value.” Ellien mentions.

“Perhaps I should get a job then.” Minorta jokes. “My brother suggested that.”

“What kind of task?” Ellien tilts her head.

“Anything really. What about the bakery? They sure need help, right?” Minorta ponders.

“With sales I presume.” Ellien adds.

“Then that’s enough for us!” Minorta voices happily. ”I’m sure people would be convinced by the taste alone. I was!”

“Are you planning to involve me?” Ellien discovers with a worried face.

“It is only fair.” The blond girl nods. “Since you are in need of a task, no?”

The green haired girl couldn’t deny that logic, since her family was in the same position.

It’s not rare for children to help around the house, whenever it is cleaning or cooking.

However, when it comes to winter there are much less jobs around the farm that require their help.

Therefore parents send their offspring to the village for them to find a source of income.

“So what do you think Pyrie is doing now?” Minorta decides to ask.

“She must be working on her musical talents.” Ellien explains.

“I wish we could have visited her though.” Minorta sighs.

“I would too, but there is an issue.” Ellien says. “I’m not informed about her new lodging.”

“We can ask her mother, right?” Minorta suggests.

“And perhaps see that she takes us with her when she visits her?” Ellien ponders. “That would be too much, I worry.”

“We would go on foot.” Minorta replies.

“That is also a little bit unreadable.” Ellien looks down.

The trip alone could take them half of a day. Especially in the snow, that’s not a good idea.

“Yet, I do miss her, despite the episode with Davithea’s father.” Ellien says.

“I would have been glad if the father had something to say back.” Minorta speaks. “All he did was to accept his fate, despite that we tried to convince him.”

“The matter still makes make me wish it didn’t happen that way.” Ellien adds.

“I do not blame Pyrie here either, rather I am not sure why she thought that was the right thing to do.” Minorta says. “She also distanced herself from us during the last days of the semester. Rather, she wanted to get friendlier with Harrivetta more?”

“We can only wish it to be so.” Ellien nods. “Her fate relies much on her connections.”

“But we are still her friends right?” Minorta asks.

“That we are, I am sure of it.” Ellien states.

However the blond haired girl is not really convinced about that. Ever since Pyrie left,

she didn’t encounter spirits or abnormalities that would heighten her senses as a spirit medium.

Her red haired friend was the only person she could talk about those incidents.

Having her taken away she was pondering if Ellien could ease her worry instead.

“It’s because I think she was a spirit medium as well.” Minorta voices. “I could feel a deeper connection between her and me. You must understand, don’t you Ellien?”

“As far as my knowledge on the subject goes, I presume you are right?” Ellien tilts her head. “I only read coloured books, those for children. I don’t find them specific or reliable.”

“But do you believe in spirits Ellien?” Minorta asks.

“Of course, I’m positive because of what you did for me and my father.” Ellien explains. “If you say it is so, that the wind spirit was involved, why would I disbelieve you? There is no other explanation.”

With that the two decided that they won’t be speaking more on the subject of the spirits.

“Yes, thanks for that.” Minorta says.

“There was even that priest that visited me the other day.” Ellien mentions.

“And he asked you about everything, right?” Minorta responds. “He paid me a visit as well.”

“How did the interview progress?” Ellien asks.

“Wasn’t troubling. I told him everything apart from admitting to being a spirit medium.” Minorta tells her friend.

“Since you ill wanted attention, perhaps?” Ellien suggests.

“That and keeping it a secret between us three is more logical.” Minorta explains.

“That is fair. We should be…” Ellien says as something catches her attention.

Passing by a ruined house, with a peaceful landscape of snow surrounding them,

the two friends hear a worrying, loud sound that resembled something heavy falling onto the ground.

A ruined, burnt down building had its roof collapsed to the snow and the wind.

“Ahh!” Minorta jumps startled.

“It’s just the snow.” Ellien points out.

“I wonder who lived here.” Minorta ponders.

It is natural for things to decay and dissolve back into the ground.

Nature engulfs everything, the wood and the flesh alike.

People like trees, animals and the soil too have to die someday.

And when that time comes, their material causes a new life to be born.

That is the order of things, here in this world, and that’s how it has been ever since.

Of course Minorta and Ellien know that that too, and dare not to challenge their fate.

They pass the ruin, pondering about who was the resident of that house, head towards the village.

It won’t be long until they arrive there and see if they can manage to buy bread.