Taking a carriage from the Seer Association, Shade headed through the snow to Dawn Square. Even in snowy weather, Dawn Square was still bustling with people. The heavy snow from the night before had covered the ground, and the Church's young priests, along with Believers who had volunteered to help, were clearing snow from the entrance. Thus, on either side beneath the church's imposing steps stood two snowbanks over a meter tall.
Children who had come here to the Church with their parents wore hats and scarves as they happily grabbed snow and threw it at one another beside the snowbanks. After getting out of the carriage, Shade saw that Little Mia seemed very interested in the snowbank, so he gently placed the cat atop it.
Of course, since he did not know whether the cat would "sink" into the snowbank, Shade did not let go completely.
Once the curious cat's little paws came fully into contact with the icy snow, it immediately began meowing for Shade to pick it up again. It was not frightened; its paws were simply cold.
"Sir, what breed is your cat?"
Shade smiled and placed Little Mia on his shoulder. Among the children playing in the snow, a bold boy came over and politely asked. Their clothing made it clear that they all came from relatively well-off middle-class families. The children of impoverished Believers would not waste daylight hours that could be spent earning money.
"It's a Tobesk native cat."
"Can you let it play with us for a while? Oh, sir, we promise we won't let it get lost."
"That won't do. This cat is very timid."
Shade immediately shook his head. Though the children were disappointed, they soon returned to playing around the snowbank. Shade casually grabbed a handful of snow as