The next morning, the frost still clinging to every branch and leaf, Patricia bounced on her heels with excitement. "I know a place," she announced, "where we can really have fun in the snow."
Renkai raised an eyebrow. "Fun? Last time we had fun you nearly slid into a frozen lake."
Patricia just grinned. "Trust me. You'll love this."
They packed small bottles of warm chocolate from Lira's magical cacao batch, and together, they set out for the snow-covered hills not far from the Grove. The sunlight reflected off the snow, sparkling like crystals, while the forest stretched in quiet white beauty around them.
Once at the top of a gentle slope, Patricia pulled something from her bag. At first, Lira squinted. It looked like a miniature shovel, but with a rounded seat at the top.
"What… is that?" Lira asked.
Patricia's grin widened. "Sit on it. Trust me. Watch."
