It's a winter wonderland, right? (open)

[Kale Harlyen]

It was a nice scene maybe even beautiful some might say. The sunlight reflecting softly off of the ice covered lake. A blanket of white surrounding the lake as it did so. The snow extended only seemingly not covering the side walk's and major path ways which had salt sprinkled around on them so as not to invite the snow from coming. Everywhere people walked slowly, laughing. Some were running others casually walking their dogs. Yes it was a great scene, if it hadn't been so god damn cold. No one ever likes to mention things like the cold in scenes like this. Kale thought as he trudged along pushing his glove covered hands deeper into the pockets of his black jacket. Parts of his cheeks could be seen glowing a bright red behind his gray scarf which wrapped around his face.

He hated the cold fiercely with a passion. Snow would be an amazing thing had it ever decided to fall on a summer day. But nope it had to pick the winter to work it's magic. And Kale did not like the snow that much to go out and play. Sure a few times a winter he ended up being dragged around like a rag doll to play in the snow. And it was fun for a time until his hands froze and he felt his self moments away from getting frost bite. Honestly he didn't see the fun in it. Centuries people tried desperately to get out of the freezing cold, but now people rush into the snow deliberately making themselves cold it was like spitting in their ancestors faces.

Kale excused the idea from his mind however and got back to the matter at hand trying to remember what reason he was out in the winter death land for. He needed to get something downtown and decided when he got out to take the scenic route. A decision that he regretted twenty five minutes in. Kale glanced up the street and spotted the buildings in the distance. It would probably be another ten or fifteen minutes before he got there...and then he had to walk back. Well he would take the shorter route getting back. He had enough of nature for one day. Kale mumbled some choice words but was quickly snapped back to reality as his foot seemed to lose all the friction it ever had.

"Oh cr-..." Kale was able to get off before his leg kicked out from under him. He could see the sky as he fell and in the seconds which seemed like eternity to him wondered just where he went wrong in his life to get to this place. He was not able to come up with an answer before slamming his back on the packed white snow. Immediately he could feel the cold from the snow as it penetrated easily though his coat.

"You know I'm not mad that I fell, but into snow really? Low blow God, Low blow!" he said raising his voice at no one in particular. And continuing to lay in the snow.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

Nakia loved the winter. it was the season of her birth and the season of her engagement, not to mention the holidays and the birth of her younger daughter. She looked perfectly at home in the snow as well, being albino and dressed in light blues and whites during much of her waking hours. Today, winter break allowed her some time to herself and she'd spent it walking around the lake with a parasol in one hand and a thermos of miso soup in the other. Her white hair flowed loose around her face, and her blue eyes stared up at the sky as she smiled in delight. The snow was beautiful.


Her walk had been prompted by the fact that her husband was baking madly at home, preparing for the upcoming holiday now that his hands were in working order again. She'd left mostly so that she wouldn't get in the way, but also because the house seemed too warm for this time of year. So, she decided to see the lake and enjoy herself before it got too dark.


Walking along the path, there came the tell-tale sound of something skidding on the ice and a loud thud. When she turned to look, there lay a young man deep in the snow, yelling at the sky (and, if his words were to be judged correctly, at God). Apparently, he'd slipped on the icy pavement and landed deep in the powder. With a slight sigh and a smile, the doctor walked over carefully and leaned over him, shielding his face from the sun and falling flakes with her parasol. "Are you all right?"

[Kale Harlyen]

As Kale lay there he began to think of many things. The meaning of life, why his was so screwed up. But the thing he thought of the most was how truly cold snow was when it touched the skin. It was a vicious cold stinging his body. It didn't stop either just got colder probably until he got frost bite and died. Well he'd just have to get up before that happened. So he began the arduous task of lifting himself up. But as he began this monumental task he found that his way was blocked by a woman with white hair. For a moment he thought he died. She was beautiful but mostly because he wasn't used to seeing a girl, especially an Asian with white hair unless they were old. And though she looked to be older than him she definitely was not old.

Soon though he realized he was staring at the woman and was only snapped out of his trance when she talked. It made him blush a little but it was not noticeable because of the already red cheeks he had been wearing. He smiled at the woman as he pulled himself up and brushed himself off. Well that was great now someone thought he was crazy. Well he guessed this little practical joke was not over. Not until he was carted off to the mental institute. Yeah he was sure it would end there one of these days.

"Alright, in the broadest terms I'd say yeah. But the jury is out on that one." he said laughing a little as he finished brushing himself off. As he did so he looked at the woman again he could tell she was probably of mixed race. Maybe she was albino he thought but decided it would be weird if he had asked, after all it was already a pretty weird situation. Just then he realized again he was staring and quickly changed his gaze to the pond that sat still and seemingly asleep. Kale sighed at the present set of events that had befallen him. His breath could be seen escaping his mouth as he did so.

"Well sorry you had to see me doing that, hope I can convince you I'm not to crazy." he said smiling a bit.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

The boy didn't seem to understand why she was there, and the albino woman quirked an eyebrow at him in amusement and tucked some of the long white hair behind her ear absently. She was used to stares and didn't find them as aggravating as she used to - people like her simply weren't seen very often. At her words, however, a slight bit more color filled his cheeks and he smiled, pushing himself to his feet. Nik stepped back, giving him an amused once over as she realized he'd be just fine. Probably soaked to the bone in a little while, but fine nonetheless.


She chuckled at his joke, her blue eyes bright with mirth. Apparently, he was indeed fine, if a little self-deprecating. It was all right, of course - if anyone had the right to make fun of someone, it was the person themselves. "I can check if you like," she replied, continuing the joke, "but I'm afraid sanity isn't in my purview as a doctor."


She caught him staring again and gave him another amused look, smiling broadly as he looked away towards the lake and heaved quite the mighty sigh. Poor boy - he was probably just so very embarrassed at being caught. "I'm not sure there's such a thing as 'too crazy'," she laughed. "Still, a little craziness isn't terrible, now is it?" Holding out one pale hand, she added, "I'm Nik."

[Kale Harlyen]

Kale laughed a little at her response. well at least she wasn't to frightened. Or mad seeing as he was caught staring at her twice. The thought though was lost when he felt the icy cold of the now melted snow on his back. his jacket was helping but not so much that it completely blocked out the cold. But that was to be expected wasn't it? After all he was probably laying in the snow for more than two minutes. Still he wished he might have found some kind of store to escape into. Damn it if only he hadn't taken this stupid scenic route. But the little bit of anger quickly subsided as he realized it was pointless to fret over it. Besides right now he had a person to talk to in front of him. At the very least he didn't need people leaving him to spread rumors about the crazy guy at the lake. Though she probably wouldn't be to far off from the truth.

"Ha really that's good because if there was I'm not sure I'd be standing...er laying in front of you today." he said sighing a bit as he said the last part. He wondered how bad of an impression he had given her. But well he couldn't help it just laugh it off. He knew how to deal with these kind of situations after all his whole adult life seemed to be filled with this. Ever since his power awoke it seemed to be a serious of mis-fortunate events. Kale scratched his head as he reminisced about the thought. Though he snapped out of it when she gave her name. Kale had to admit no matter how much he tried to hide it he was interested in this woman. Mainly because it was eating him up as to what nationality but he soon got his answer. A mix no doubt the apparentness of her Asian blood was clear, but it was the other that stumped him. That is until she gave her name and the light bulb clicked she was Russian, or at least of Slovak descent. Well that was one mystery cleared...man he should become a detective he thought.

"Really you sure, I've got a friend who'd argue that." he said pausing to laugh a little before continuing. "Ms. Nik, nice to meet you my name's Kale, though uh...you can call me crazy if you want."

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

When he didn't take her hand, the pale woman returned it to her parasol without comment, instead smiling at the comment. "Just as long as I don't call you 'late for dinner', right?" she asked sardonically, her voice laced with amusement. He seemed like a nice person (if a little over-concerned about how people viewed him). She also noticed the touch of a shiver in him from the melting snow on his clothes - he'd need to change soon, or else he'd be at risk for falling ill. It wasn't terribly likely, especially if he was going to be walking more, but it was something of concern to the woman anyway.


"I was about to head back into town to get a cup of coffee," she mentioned, motioning forward down the trail towards the road back to the small urban population. "Would you care to walk with me, Kale? You look like you could use some warming up, too." Tilting the wax paper umbrella back, Nik noticed that while the clouds were still a mercurial grey above them the snow seemed to have stopped for now. With a light brushing on her fingers, the snow fell off the parasol in sheets, revealing the simple bamboo and shiny parchment beneath without much effort. It slid shut with a soft crinkle of paper, and she tucked it under one arm for safe keeping before looking back up at the younger man.

[Kale Harlyen]

Kale nodded at her request, he had to go into town anyway why not have a little company? Besides it wasn't like he had met a serial killer she seemed nice enough at least. He didn't hate the idea of getting a coffee either. It would prove a nice reward for all this hardship that he had gone through so far. Something to look forward to at the very least. Kale laughed at her previous statement as he pushed his hands back down into his coat. He was glad the snow flakes had stopped falling. It would be troublesome if they kept that up causing him to only get more cold. He walked a little ways up before stopping.

"Yeah I could do for something warm right now. Actually any place that might have a heater in it, I'm down to go to." he said smiling. He was really starting to feel the cold not real bad honestly, but Kale hated the cold. He had enough of it back where he was from so why did he have to deal with it now? Kale nodded at the idea before turning his attention back from his thoughts. He noticed the crinkling of paper and saw from where it originated. Something he hadn't noticed before though he was sure it was nothing he was a bit curious. But well he couldn't ask her about her private matters.

"So Ms. Nik why did you decide to brave the tundra today?" he said grinning a bit.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

At his acquiescence, the pale lady smiled again. She enjoyed talking to people outside of a medical setting; and even if he was some strange young man she'd only just met, Nik felt the talking to perfect strangers was something to be encouraged rather than avoided.

"Oh good," she replied with a grin. "You can keep me company, then - I know just the place." Shifting the umbrella under her arm to make it more comfortable, she walked briskly with the young man at her side, keeping pace with him easily despite being a bit shorter than he. His words made her glance up for a moment, and the doctor chuckled a little as she remembered her reasons.

"My husband," she answered, a tone of ironic humor in her voice as she replied. "He has these moods where he simply must bake enough to feed us for two weeks on bread alone every once in a while. It makes the house dreadfully warm, and I seem to only get in the way when I try to help. So, I braved the snow and came out for a walk. How about you, Mr. Kale - what brought about your arctic excursion?"

She had a feeling that he didn't much enjoy the snow, but it made sense to her - not everyone liked such brisk weather, and many would rather be by a warm fireplace with a hot beverage than walking around a nigh-frozen lake in January. Still, here he was, so she thought to ask.