Work Text:
Snow... snow... more snow... and more snow...
"A! Kali! Wait for us!" A cry came from a distance behind you and the Red Mist. Looking back, you see blue and orange figures running with all their speed, possibly 5 meters away from both of you. You aren't able to do anything else but give a look that screamed: "I'm so sorry"
Not because of something that everyone else knows. Huh? Is there anything you don't know? Yes there is. Oh well, it didn't matter at all. You're happy, even if the research was somewhat delayed by Angela and Benjamin going missing. (though you don't mind the delay at all, you're satisfied being with everyone; and your best friend and creation are much more important.) You didn't need to know anything el— and you almost tripped while keeping up with Kali.
"Be careful, we only have a few healing items, right?"
"Sorry." You mutter as you gasp for air.
After what seemed to be an eternity of running, (though it was only roughly ten minutes) you two stopped. You fell on your knees and sat on the snow, your scrawny physique was never good for anything athletic. Meanwhile Kali stood there, looking out for Daniel and Michelle, seeming like she hadn't run in the first place. As expected of the great Red Mist, maybe this is why Carmen always advocated for you to get more exercise…
You find yourself at the foot of a mountain slope in the middle of a small forest of pine trees. A white fox pops its head out of its snowy burrow and gives you a look. You sat down properly and beckoned it to come; hesitantly, the animal obeys and proceeds to sniff your hand. You fumble about your pockets to give it something to eat, but the small creature runs away when a pair of footsteps come thundering. Daniel and Michelle had arrived.
"Haah...!" Michelle nearly collapses, only to be caught by Daniel.
"Whew... slow down next time, please~?" The blue-haired man tries to retain his nonchalant tone after being so exhausted. "You don't have to flex on your Fixer powers next time, hey?" He smiled teasingly, Kali scoffed.
"Whatever. You guys need more exercise, that was probably just ten minutes of running."
The coffee enthusiast switches the topic, while catching his breath. That's only typical. "So... hah... why... exactly did you two just bolt off...?"
"A found some suspicious shadowy figure around here." Kali explains while pointing to the area around you. "No idea where it is now though. I feel like it has something to do with Angela and Benjamin." Daniel hums in reply while nodding his head.
"Huff... M-Maybe it went up there...?" Michelle suggests as she looked up the slope. It wasn't steep, just a straight road filled with snow. Then again, what is Snowglobe Mountain without snow? (and snow globes, of course)
"Alright, we'll go up there in a minute. Three fourths of the search party need to rest." To this, Daniel and Michelle dropped near you. A meter beyond their direction was a small snow globe, you see a group of gingerbread children making a snowman. Your observation was interrupted by the sensation of Kali sitting beside you. Beyond her direction was the fox from earlier who was now eating berries from a bush.
"Do you think we can find Benjamin and Angela?" Said Michelle who still leaned onto Daniel. The man pats her shoulder.
"Of course we will! There's four of us looking for them you know?"
"I hope they're safe..."
"They can fend for themselves." Kali smiles in reassurance. "We'll find them together unharmed, don't worry Michelle."
After a few seconds, the young girl falls asleep on Daniel, he fixes himself up for her to sleep nicely. You stare at your surroundings, observing, and you notice a heavy feeling on your side. Daniel has fallen asleep as well. Maybe you shouldn't move... the snow's too cold for them to sleep on. The ambient music almost lulls you to slumber when you hear a soft 'thud!' and a small snore, you turn to your other side. The Red Mist has fallen asleep as well; understandable, really...
You gently move Kali near you, just so she won't feel so cold. To your misfortune, your friends' body heat lulled you even more as the gentle music continues. It's just a short break... they'll wake up soon, don't sleep now...
Your eyelids start to feel heavy, come on...
"I'm sure I've slept enough back in Kether's Office..."
You can't sleep now! The snow's too harsh for a bed, and everyone else might catch a cold. You feel like you should wake everyone up, but at the same time, you want them to rest.
So here you are, having an internal battle just to stay awake, but it seems like the entire world also wanted you to sleep. The snow felt so soft, the music is so calming...
Uh... wait... no.
If you fall asleep, you might get attacked, and everyone would be in danger.
If you fall asleep, everyone might experience hypothermia.
If you fall asleep...
If you...
If you......
You've been defeated, you think as your body reacts to gravity alone and falls on the fluffy snow. It's not even so cold... maybe you'll be fine...
...
.......
...Zzz...
...
"Zzz... Zzz... Zzz..."
"Oh dear." Enoch shakes his head with a smile on his face. "They must have been exhausted. Lisa! Could you please call Miss Carmen? She's just over there. Quick! We don't want them to catch the cold!"