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Snow fell softly over Nod Krai, the kind that drifted lazily instead of biting, settling into coats and scarves as if it wanted to be admired. The streets glowed with reflected lanternlight, shop windows trimmed in gold and evergreen, laughter trailing out into the cold like music.
Jahoda decided, with great conviction, that she hated winter parties.
Not because of the cold. The cold was manageable. You could layer against cold. You could curse it quietly and move on. She hated winter parties because they involved people, and people involved expectations, and expectations involved her standing somewhere too stiffly with a drink she forgot to sip while her brain screamed about posture and eye contact and whether she looked like she belonged.
And tonight was worse.
Because Ineffa was here.
The hall was warm to the point of fogging her glasses when she stepped inside, crowded with voices and movement and the clink of cups. Pine garlands looped along the beams overhead, dotted with small lights that glowed like embers. Candles flickered on tables, their wax scented with spice and orange peel. Somewhere nearby, someone laughed too loudly, already halfway to tipsy.
And hanging very deliberately in the center of the room, tied with an obnoxiously cheerful red ribbon, was mistletoe.
Jahoda clocked it instantly and immediately looked away.
She stationed herself at the refreshment table like it was a defensive position, arms crossed, staring down at a tray of cookies shaped like stars and bells. She stared hard enough that she half-expected them to explain themselves. Why they were here. Why she was here. Why her heart wouldn’t stop trying to beat its way out of her chest.
She adjusted her scarf for the third time. Red wool, patterned faintly, already slipping crooked over her coat. Her braid hung over one shoulder, strands escaping and frizzing in the warmth. She could feel snow melting in her hair from the walk over. She probably looked like a mess.
She was a mess.
“You’re glaring at the cookies,” Nefer said pleasantly, appearing at her side with two steaming cups. “That feels aggressive.”
“I’m not glaring,” Jahoda muttered. “I’m… evaluating.”
Nefer hummed. “Sure you are.”
She followed Jahoda’s line of sight without even trying to hide it, then smiled like she’d just solved a puzzle. “Ah. So this is about Ineffa.”
Jahoda flinched hard enough that her cup sloshed dangerously. “No.”
Nefer lifted a brow. “You answered that too fast.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did,” Nefer said, smug. “Also, you’re standing like a startled animal.”
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are,” Nefer said, leaning closer. “And for the record, she asked me where you were.”
Jahoda’s stomach dropped straight through the floor. “She did?”
“Oh, yes. Very polite. Very calm. Very obvious,” Nefer said. “She even did that little pause she does when she’s thinking too hard.”
Jahoda groaned quietly. “She’s just being polite. It’s a party.”
“Mhm,” Nefer said, unconvinced. “And that’s why she keeps glancing over here like she’s recalculating her entire worldview.”
Jahoda opened her mouth to argue and then stopped.
She felt it before she heard her. That steady presence, cool and precise, like standing near a quiet machine that hummed just beneath awareness.
“I was,” Ineffa said gently, “looking for you.”
Jahoda jumped so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
Ineffa stood just behind her, posture straight, hands folded neatly at her waist. She wore a long, deep-violet winter dress beneath a tailored coat, the fabric patterned faintly with geometric motifs that echoed her mechanical design. A subtle metallic emblem rested near her collarbone, catching the light when she moved. Her pale-lavender hair was swept back into a low, neat bun, a few loose strands framing her face, dusted with melting snow. Soft lights reflected in her eyes, making them glow faintly, beautifully.
She looked festive in a way that felt unfair.
“Oh,” Jahoda said. “Hi.”
Nefer’s smile widened to dangerous levels. “I’m going to get more drinks,” she announced brightly. “Very far away from whatever this is.”
“Nefer—” Jahoda started, but Nefer was already gone, laughing to herself as she vanished into the crowd.
Silence settled between them. Not awkward exactly, but charged, like the air before a spark.
Ineffa clasped her hands together, metal fingertips brushing softly. “Are you enjoying the party?”
Jahoda shrugged, shoulders stiff. “It’s… loud. But nice. I guess.”
“I don’t like loud environments either,” Ineffa said. “But I like seeing people relaxed.”
Jahoda risked a glance at her. Ineffa’s gaze had drifted upward, following the lights strung along the beams, her expression thoughtful.
“You look… different,” Jahoda blurted before she could stop herself.
Ineffa turned. “Different?”
“Festive,” Jahoda clarified quickly. “In a good way.”
Ineffa paused, then nodded. “I researched seasonal attire.”
Jahoda huffed a laugh. “You researched Christmas?”
“Yes. I wanted to understand why it matters,” Ineffa said simply. “Spending time together appears to be the primary factor.”
Something warm and treacherous settled in Jahoda’s chest.
They drifted toward the center of the room together, not quite touching, though their shoulders brushed now and then. Each time it happened, Jahoda’s brain stalled. She became acutely aware of Ineffa’s presence, of the faint warmth radiating from her core, of how steady she felt in contrast to Jahoda’s internal chaos.
And then she saw it.
The mistletoe.
Hanging directly above them.
Jahoda froze mid-step, heart slamming so hard it felt physical. She could feel her face heating instantly, ears burning beneath her hat.
Ineffa looked up as well.
“Oh,” she said.
Jahoda cursed internally. “I mean— it’s just a tradition. You don’t have to— we can move. It’s not mandatory.”
“I know what mistletoe signifies,” Ineffa said calmly.
“You do?” Jahoda squeaked.
“Yes,” Ineffa replied. “It indicates a social expectation of a kiss.”
“Well, it’s not, like, required,” Jahoda rushed. “You can ignore it. It’s silly. We can just— walk away.”
“I don’t want to walk away,” Ineffa said.
Jahoda blinked. “You… don’t?”
Ineffa’s gaze softened, something gentle flickering beneath her precision. “You seem nervous,” she said. “I believe this is anticipation.”
From across the room, Nefer’s voice rang out far too loudly. “Oh my Archons, she’s under the mistletoe.”
Jahoda groaned. “Please don’t narrate my demise.”
Ineffa stepped closer, close enough that Jahoda could feel the faint warmth of her body despite the winter chill. Ineffa hesitated for just a moment, like she was waiting.
Jahoda swallowed hard. “…It’s okay.”
That was all the permission Ineffa needed.
She leaned in carefully, one hand lifting as if unsure where to rest, and pressed her lips gently to Jahoda’s.
Jahoda froze completely.
Her brain shut off. Her hands hovered uselessly at her sides. The kiss was soft and brief and somehow warm despite Ineffa’s cool metal fingertips brushing her sleeve. The room seemed to hush, lights blurring, snow falling quietly outside as if the world itself had decided to look away.
When Ineffa pulled back, Jahoda was staring at her like she’d just been struck by lightning.
“Statistically,” Ineffa said softly, “that was more pleasant than anticipated.”
Jahoda let out a strangled laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
Nefer clapped loudly from across the room. “Finally!”
Jahoda flipped her off without looking, cheeks burning, heart racing.
Ineffa reached for her hand, fingers cool and steady. Jahoda hesitated for half a second before lacing their fingers together.
“Happy holidays,” Ineffa said.
Jahoda squeezed back, smiling so hard her face hurt. “Yeah,” she said. “Happy holidays.”
And for the first time in her life, she decided winter parties weren’t so bad after all.