Noelle

It was a busy day in the town square; a traveling merchants group had showed up, and anyone who lived nearby used the opportunity to get some supplies they were short of. I was less concerned about necessities and more intrigued by the various tail bells being sold by a Spiral with a scar on his wing.

"And this one would match your wings quite nicely!" He holds the small bell up to one of the blank parts of my wing, comparing the colors. "Its one of the nicest bells I have! No dents from whatever beastie I wrangled it from."

I tilt my fins in contemplation, before setting some treasure on the wooden counter of the stall. "Ill take the green one, thank you." He hands the accessory over and takes the money, but swiftly begins talking again before I can leave.

"Would you like a matching tunic? It must be awfully cold without any sort of shirt!"

"Im fine, thank you." I begin to turn, but a different vendor interrupted.


"Perhaps just a coat for your shoulders, then?" The pearlcatcher purrs. "I mean, you do look silly without an entire outfit.'

I flare my fins, agitated. "I'm perfectly fine. I have no idea why you lot think I require something to cover me. I have this holly, and its worked fine in the past." I point to the enchanted plants growing on me. "I charmed the plant myself. Good day."

I duck out of the group of stalls, a bitter chill setting my frills on end. Weaving through the crowd, I hear murmurs of a sudden draft, and one dragon claimed to have seen a snowflake. Sighing, I turn into an alleyway to sit and regain my composure a little.

"Easily angered in colder seasons, got to remember that..." I mumbled to myself. taking off my gloves, I begin to rub my frost-covered fingertips, trying to warm them. It doesn't work, however. It never works. Stupid frost. Why am I like this? Why cant I control my emotions like everyone else?! Am I such a failure that I lack one of the one things my species is know for?? Why, why, why...

"Hello!"

I jump slightly at the sudden noise, and a dusting of snow shoots in every direction, hitting the mysterious person. I turn my head slowly, horrified. "I... I am so sorry. That was... I..."

The stranger cuts me off with a laugh, apparently amused. "Don't apologize! Clearly my fault for sneaking up on ya!" He shakes his fins in a comforting way. "you'd think I'd know better than to sneak up on other frosty faes, but I guess not." He shakes his head, the ribbons on his headpiece swaying.

"What do you mean, 'other frosty faes'." I ask, looking around behind him to see if i can spot the icy dragon in question.

"Y'know, other faes from the ice flight? Never met one that didnt get a little chilly around this time a' year 'cept me, an' I'm pretty sure thats just because my ability to do any Ice magic is at an all time low 24/7." He pauses. "Now that I think about it... the only other ice faes Ive met were my friend Rime, you, and a statue of ice that was made with light magic. Pretty sure she don't count..." He continued to murmur to himself before snapping back to reality. "Ah, my apologies! I never introduced myself. The name's Raja. 'n you?"

I blinked, not quite processing all of his words. "Uh... My name is Noelle."

"Ah, a wonderful name!" He exclaims. "Say, where do ya live? I'll walk ya home!" A few beats of awkward silence before a look of realization crosses his fins. "Ohhhh." Another beat. "...Would ya like to come with me instead? Ya look like ya need a friend right now."

"Sure." I respond, a small crease of happiness folding my fins. "I think I would love to.