The tavern’s heavy doors thudded shut against the snow, sending a ripple through the quiet murmur of voices inside. Frost crept along the windowpanes like living veins of silver, and beyond the glass, the storm howled across the distant mountains.
Inside, warmth fought against the chill— crackling hearthfires painted the walls with gold and orange light. Bounty Hunters, traders, and rcenaries moved in and out, their laughter and clinking mugs blending into the steady rhythm of the wind outside. The sll of roasted at and spirit wine filled the air.
Near the center of the room, the proprietor— a tall, broad-shouldered woman with braided white hair and a fur mantle draped over her thick shoulders— set out a feast before her newest guests. Her cheeks were red from the heat of the kitchen and her hands strong from years of work.
"This here’s a local favorite," she said proudly, lifting the lid from a carved jade platter. Steam swirled upward, carrying the scent of herbs and charred wood. "Frostvine fish— caught from the icy rivers upstream. We smoke it over spiritwood coals, then steep it with mountain onions, winterroot carrots, a touch of snow lotus oil, a handful of dried moon-thy, and two cracked iceleaf pods. Let it rest a day, and it soaks up both the chill and the bite. It’s said to toughen the bones and sharpen the senses."
She gestured to another bowl, piled high with golden wedges. "Crisp snowpotato fries. Simple but blessed by the frost moon. Our folks say, ’No fries, no fortune under the frost moon.’ Try them with yak butter and crushed fire pepper—it’ll light your dantian right up."
From another tray, she tore open a fragrant roll oozing with cream. "Frostberry cream bread —sweetened with spirit honey and filled with crushed frostberries. You won’t find these berries anywhere else. They bloom only beneath our city’s moonlights."
Next, she opened a lacquered box filled with the salty aroma of the sea. "River shellfish and crystal oysters. Harvested where the snowlt ets the deep channel. Not for the faint of heart, but it’ll make your blood hum."
She unwrapped a thick parcel of leaf and parchnt. "Snow pheasant, spirit ham, and lunar mushroom wrap. And for richer taste—stead cloud duck with dark mountain sugar, served in a golden millet waffle."
Finally, she set down two wheels of cheese. "Golden cloud cheese—smooth and llow. And this—gray ice-moss cheese. Sharp enough to sting the tongue and clear your ridians. Only the brave take a second bite."
Tyla grinned, amused and hungry. "We’ll take two of everything."
Monts later, Tyla and Yumina sat across from each other at a corner table, their cheeks glowing with warmth from the fire and the faint pink of cold still lingering on their skin. The hum of the tavern filled the space, people laughing, coins clinking, and snow lting off boots by the door.
"That guy didn’t even pay," Tyla muttered between bites of the smoked fish. "You sure it’s okay to just let him go?"
Yumina shrugged, dipping a fry into the golden butter. "I don’t really care about the money. I didn’t save him for that. Maybe just... a sense of justice, or habit. I don’t know."
Tyla chuckled softly, then reached into her coat and pulled out a small silver disc engraved with runes. She placed it on the table and tapped it twice. The runes glowed faintly, and a sound barrier shimred around them. In an instant, the noise of the tavern faded away into silence.
"Now we can talk freely," she said, satisfied.
"Whoa," Yumina blinked. "You can use that without entering your pocket dinsion now?"
"Yup," Tyla replied, smiling proudly. "Turns out I can access so of its contents as long as I’ve visited that area before. It’s like a linked storage system."
"That’s... insanely convenient," Yumina said with an envious sigh. "I wish I had one."
Tyla leaned closer, voice dipping low and playful. "You can stay inside forever if you want."
Yumina blinked, then smirked. "Are you flirting with again? Maybe you were a lesbian before you lost your mories. You’ve ignored every man who tried talking to you, but every ti it’s a girl, your eyes light up."
"I don’t know..." Tyla murmured, leaning back in her chair. "I just feel comfortable around girls. Maybe it’s the energy. Or maybe you’re just fun to tease."
Yumina laughed, brushing her short hair behind her ear. "You’re dangerous, you know that? And I already have soone I like."
They continued their al, the warmth and silence wrapping around them like a cocoon. Tyla’s shoulders relaxed for the first ti in days. The tension from the chase, the snow, the blood— they all seed to lt in that mont.
Then, Tyla’s brow furrowed. Through the shimring barrier, she noticed a man across the room shouting at them angrily— his mouth moving, face red, hands waving. She frowned and tapped the disc again, deactivating the silence array.
"—You two dare ignore ? Do you even know who I am?"
The voice rang sharp and loud as the barrier vanished. A slender elf stood near their table, his golden hair catching the firelight, androgynous features glinting with fury. He wore a silk cloak embroidered with leaf patterns and the crest of so noble house. His pale hands trembled as he pointed at them.
"I’m terribly sorry," Yumina said smoothly before Tyla could respond. "We were using an array for privacy. We didn’t hear you."
The surrounding patrons burst into laughter.
The elf’s pointed ears flushed crimson. "You dare insult ?"
Tyla was about to retort, but Yumina held up her hand quickly. "Apologies, truly. Was this about a bounty request, perhaps?"
The elf blinked, thrown off balance. He had been trying to flirt —boasting about his wealth and charm for nearly an hour while they ignored him, unaware of the barrier. Realizing this, humiliation twisted across his beautiful features.
Without another word, he spun on his heel and stord off, nearly tripping on a chair as more laughter rippled through the tavern.
Tyla sighed. "What just happened?"
"No idea," Yumina said, spearing another fry. "But that was fun."
Across the tavern, the elf stopped by the doorway, his expression dark. Pulling a hooded attendant close, he muttered coldly, "Keep an eye on those two. Inform the mont they leave."
The attendant nodded and slipped into the crowd as the storm outside roared louder, rattling the tavern’s walls.
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