The city of Aclactica was among the coldest regions within the Hoarfrost Empire borders: it was a place where the average temperature barely reached two hundred Kelvin on a yearly average. This was where Nenrao currently sat, blue coat splayed out behind him in an endless winter vista. He held a contemplative pose even as he held one of his Shepherd pistols dangling loosely from one hand. A few meters away lay the corpse of a Landrigan, a man who'd betrayed the Hoarfrost and been exposed for the traitor he was. The red of his blood in the snow shone even with the layer of restless grey clouds overhead, a perfect match for the blood red of the sash Nenrao wore to symbolize his blood oath.

The cyborg knew he shouldn't linger here. He hardly ever permitted himself to rest or contemplate, but this was one such time. He had to consider his situation or he'd go mad, and this place was oppressively adept at bringing the quandary to the fore. Nenrao's situation was as simple as it was impossible to resolve: he'd realized he had feelings for the woman to whom his blood debt was pledged, the leader of the Hoarfrost, the ruler at whose pleasure Nenrao served. He had feelings for Ker'ach. The icy wind that set his navy cape fluttering only reminded him of her affinity for cold. The snowy banks evoked his secret, forbidden thoughts of her skin. Even the dripping of the corpse's blood reminded him of the cadence of her voice.