A content hum filters from me as I glide through some clouds. Wind is speeding alongside me, whistling in time with my hums. We just spent the day over in Asia spreading some snowstorms across the continent and hopefully providing some snow days. Everyone deserves a snow day.
Twisting, I lay on my back as I stare up at the light blue sky.
Yesterday had gone better than expected after Ake left. The other seasons were more than eager to test out their new gear, gleefully playing in the small snow piles I created while testing to see just how durable the articles of clothing were. I don't think they will withstand the Arctic and Antarctica's extreme temperatures, but almost the rest of the world can get snow, so they should be all right.
A giddy bubble worms into my chest and I quickly roll back onto my stomach as we zoom over Bemidji.
I still can't believe that they actually went out of their way to gain warmer clothes. I gnaw on my bottom lip. I really shouldn't be this excited. They only just got the clothes and haven't come up to visit yet, so I really shouldn't get too excited until something comes of it.
Wind twirls around me, snapping me from my thoughts as they point at something down below us.
"What is it?" I ask Wind as they whistle louder.
Slowing to a stop, I glance down at where they are pointing. My eyes widen as I spot the dresser that I was trying to unbury. Except, someone has finished my job for me and it now sits on the side of the road, collecting snow on top of its smooth surface. My eyes flicker around, searching for any signs of life as I slowly descend. Finding none, I finish my descent, my curiosity spiking.
My mouth dries as my feet gently touch the ground and my heart pounds as I reach out and brush the glossy finish. A bright yellow sticky note rests on the top drawer and I tug it off.
Sorry for interrupting your work. I noticed that it was still here for you, so I thought I'd help you dig it out. I had a great time speaking with you and would love to talk with you again.
~ Conroy Ignosi
P.S. There is a little something in the top drawer to help you weigh more than five pounds ;P
A grin spreads across my face as I tuck the note into my sweatshirt and I peek into the top drawer. A laugh bubbles pass my lips as I take in the variety of pastry goods. I look up at Wind as they whistle and hum in question. They peek inside the drawer and I giggle at their questioning tone.
"Looks like Conroy still isn't over the fact that I can walk on top of snow," I state, pulling one of the treats out and study it.
It is about as long as my finger and about as thick as three of my fingers together. It appears to be made of some sort of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting spread across the top in a zigzag motion. I can see some white filling starting to peek out from the bottom as I shift the cake around.
Biting my lip, I open the plastic wrapping, the smell of artificial sweeteners and icing hitting my nose instantly. Wind swirls around me as I sniff the small pastry. Tentatively, I bring the treat to my mouth and bite down.
A burst of sweetness and sugar hits my mouth and I tense. Staring wide-eyed down at the treat, I glance up at Wind as I swallow.
"I—Wow," I say, laughing breathlessly. "That's...a LOT sweeter than even that apple that Vita gave me."
I quickly eat the rest of my snack and shove the wrapper into my pocket. Giddiness fills me as I look back at the fully exposed dresser. Turning, I wave my hand, a sprinkle of snow and ice shooting out before shifting and forming a sled made completely of ice.
"Wind, will you help me by keeping the sled in place so I can tilt this on there?" I ask, grunting as I shimmy the dresser closer. Wind swirls around the sled, keeping it in place until I finally manage to lower the dresser down on it. I grin as I grab the sled's rope. "Okay, let's get this home and I put these treats away for when others come visit." I smirk. "Or, I might just hide them and eat them all myself. I think Conroy is trying to make me fat."
I laugh as Wind smacks me in the face as the two of us continue flying through the forest, much lower and slower than our pace before. The journey is a little rocky, seeing as I don't have a straight shot to my house without rocks, trees, and bushes in the way. I should probably make it snow here sometime soon. Maybe then, the next time I find another piece of furniture I won't have to fight with the bushes.
I hum to myself as the clearing for my house appears before me and Wind. I pause when I spot a figure bundled in a thick jacket and boots standing on my porch. Wind rushes up and starts swirling around them.
"Haru," I say, surprise lacing my words as the figure turns around. "What are you doing here?"
The embodiment of Spring jumps and smiles sheepishly at me as he rubs the back of his neck.
"Oh, Frost, there you are. I, uh, wanted to come and say 'hi'. See how you were doing after yesterday."
Frost spreads across my cheeks as I shuffle about. Considering my outburst yesterday, I didn't really think that any of them would want to visit me so soon. I offer him a small smile.
"Oh, well, ya know, I'm doing all right. Just got home from spreading some snow here and there."
Haru relaxes as he nods. His eyes light up as he peeks behind me.
"What you got there?"
My fingers flex on the ice rope in my palm, a wave of embarrassment coursing through me.
"O-Oh, well, uh, I found this nice dresser yesterday and thought it might look nice in…my room?" Why am I so embarrassed about this? Haru and the others already know just how barren my home is, there isn't much I can change about it now.
"Do you want some help getting it up there?"
I look up as Haru talks, his face open and honest as he looks from the dresser to my face. A warm spark spreads through my chest.
"I…Really? You'd help me?"
"Yeah, sure," Haru says, shrugging, an easy smile forming on his face. "I know how heavy these objects can be. Two sets of hands is always better than one."
That DOES make quite a bit of sense. Biting my lip to keep my smile in check, I nod.
"Yeah, sure," I say. "Uh, thanks, Haru."
Haru's smile grows wider as he approaches and helps me push the piece of furniture closer to the house. Wind circles us as Haru talks about his flight up here, mentioning how the clothes did nothing to hinder his agility in the sky even with the added bulk.
"I'm glad," I state as I form a ramp of dense snow over my front stairs. "How did West take the journey? I'm sure they aren't too used to coming this way this time of year."
Haru grunts as he pushes as I pull the sled.
"They didn't mind actually, they wanted to go out for a fly anyways and accompanying me close to the border was the perfect excuse." He releases a startled laugh when he almost slips but he catches himself before I can react. "They're probably visiting East right now over at Mother Nature's place."
I nod and swiftly unlock my door. Wind zooms in before us and I can't help but roll my eyes as they zip around. It's a good thing that they don't need light to see or I'd be afraid of broken objects everywhere. A grunt escapes me as I continue tugging on the sled, pulling it into the space just before my living room.
"I'm sure East is happy about that, but I don't know how Mother Nature is going to handle the two of them together." I pause and wipe at my brow.
Haru laughs, leaning against the dresser. "As long as they don't bother her plants, I'm sure she won't mind."
"Who won't mind?"
A squeak bursts from my lips as Ake's voice filters in from the living room. Clutching at the front of my shirt, I spin around and flick my hand toward my lamps. Warm light floods the room and my eyes land on the Man in the Moon sitting on my sofa, one leg over the other. I breathe out slowly as I try to calm my racing heart.
"A-Ake! I wasn't expecting you." Especially after your outburst yesterday. I frown. "Is something wrong?"
The moon entity pushes himself up, his face passive but kind.
"No, I merely wanted to check up on you, make sure no unexpected…meet-ups happened." Ake's silver eyes shift over to Haru. "Hello, Haru, I didn't see you there."
"Hey there, Ake," Haru says, lifting a hand in greeting, his tone light but slightly guarded.
My eyes narrow.
How could Ake not see him? The element of spring is almost half a head taller than me. My lips purse as a tense air settles in the room. My shoulders tense when Ake strides across the floor. The phantom feeling of his hand on my arm returns for a split second but I quickly shove it away as Ake peers down at the dresser.
"I see that you've found a new addition to your little collection here," Ake says, his eyes flickering over to me. "This one didn't lead to any new friends, did it."
A spike of annoyance spreads from my gut to my chest as I turn and start tugging on the sled again.
"No, actually this is the same dresser I was trying to dig out when I ran into Conroy yesterday. And, when I arrived to finish the job, I found that Conroy finished it for me."
Ake stiffens as Haru and I start sliding the piece of furniture toward my staircase.
"And how do you know it was your little professor friend?"
I huff at Ake's terse tone as I eye the long way up. Should I make a ramp again? Or maybe try to just produce enough snow to bring it level with the second floor? I chuckle as Wind zooms past us, probably heading to push my bedroom door further open for us.
"I know because he left me a note. And some treats." I turn to Haru. "Any thoughts on how to— Hey!"
I yelp as my shoulder is grabbed and Ake harshly spins me towards him. I stare up at the older entity with large eyes as he glares down at me.
"I thought Ela made it absolutely clear that you were to tell someone if you met up with that human again," Ake snarls.
Instantly my fear evaporates back into annoyance and I shrug off his shoulder as Haru appears to my left.
"She did and I promised I would but I didn't meet with him, Conroy left me a NOTE. I found it inside the drawer with the snacks that he left me."
Geez, I'm not completely stupid. I know how to handle myself. I also don't break my promises. I told Mother Nature I will let someone know when I meet up with Conroy again and I meant it. I want to learn more about why the humans are suddenly so interested in us and just how they came across the Aster. If Conroy can provide that information for me, then I'm willing to reach out to him. I just need to work up the courage to do so.
Haru steps closer when Ake hisses at me under his breath.
"Can we see the note?"
Nodding, I pull out the note and hand it over to the embodiment of Spring. His lavender eyes flicker over the piece of paper before he hands it over to Ake to read.
"I don't see anything wrong with that, besides maybe the weight comment," Haru says, chuckling. "But, I mean, you are the smallest out of us, so maybe his treats will help you gain those few inches to at least catch up with Kaia."
Frost spreads across my cheeks but a light chuckle manages to escape me and helps soothe over my annoyance toward the moon entity.
"Yes, well, I think he is more concerned about why I can walk on top of the snow rather than my height."
Ake snorts and thrusts the note back toward me.
"All right, fine. If you say that you didn't go speak with him, then I believe you, Snowflake, but I still don't trust him and I still don't think any of this is a good idea."
Ake shoves past me and Haru, bending down next to the dresser. I share a glance with Haru.
"Ake? What are you—"
The words die on my lips when Ake just LIFTS the dresser and rests it on his shoulder as if it weighs no more than a sack of potatoes. He shifts until the piece of furniture is resting comfortably and he looks over at me. Not an ounce of strain can be seen on his face.
"Where did you want this to go, Snowflake?"
Words stick in my throat as I glance at Haru. The lavender-haired being shrugs and I clear my throat.
"Uh, my, uh, bedroom, please? W-Wind should have shoved the door open."
Ake nods and starts up the stairs without another word. How is he just walking like he's not carrying a 30-pound piece of furniture? Haru pats my shoulder, smiling at me.
"I mean, at least we don't have to worry about dragging it up the stairs," Haru says, tone light as he chuckles. He leans in and whispers. "I do think he's just showing off a LITTLE bit. He just knows that neither you nor me can do that."
I laugh as Wind whistles from down the hallway.
"If you make me drop this, North, I'm not gonna be happy," Ake's voice says with a snort. "I still haven't forgiven you for that joy ride."
My eyes widen as my lips twitch. Haru nudges my shoulder before gesturing toward the stairs.
"We better save Ake before North makes him mad."
Laughing again, I lead the way, taking the stairs two at a time as I call out to Wind.
I think Conroy can wait for just a little bit longer.