The two walked along a path across the snowfield toward the station. Snow covered their shoes, crunching with every step.
The wind whipped Varesa's long hair around, but she paid it no mind and began humming a song instead.
Bai You turned to look at her. The setting sun fell across her profile, tracing its outline in gold.
Her fin ears swayed gently to the rhythm of her humming, full of life.
"What are you looking at?" Varesa suddenly turned and met her gaze.
Bai You immediately looked away. "Nothing."
"What do you mean, nothing?" Varesa pressed, leaning closer. "Do you think I'm especially pretty?"
"...The wind's strong. Your hair's a mess."
"Oh-" Varesa drew out the word, grinning like a cat that had stolen a fish. "So I'm so pretty you're speechless. I get it."
Bai You didn't answer, but the tips of her ears turned red again. Varesa noticed and secretly curled her lips into a smile. She stopped teasing her and simply tightened her grip on her hand in the pocket.
After about ten minutes of walking, they reached the train station.
Though it was called a train station, it looked more like a little stop in the woods-a log cabin with white smoke rising from its chimney and a dim yellow kerosene lamp hanging by the door.
The platform was short, with room for only two or three carriages. Perhaps because it was so remote, larger trains didn't pass through the station.
The air smelled of coal and steam, mingled with the crisp scent of snow, giving it the unhurried feel of days gone by.
"Wait here for me." Varesa let go of her hand and patted Bai You on the shoulder. "I'll go buy tickets."
"I'll come with you-"
"No need. Stay right here and don't move. I'll just go buy the tickets.
"And don't wander off. Trains in Snezhnaya don't wait for anyone."
With that, she ran toward the ticket window, her teal figure flashing across the snow like a nimble fish. No, wait, wasn't she some kind of fish to begin with?
Bai You stood by the platform, watching her go.
Varesa leaned against the ticket window, gesturing animatedly as she spoke to the person inside.
Then she turned and waved the two tickets at Bai You, smiling until her eyes narrowed.
Bai You smiled too, without realizing it.
Before long, a whistle sounded in the distance.
"Woo-"
The low blast carried across the snowfield, making the snow underfoot tremble slightly.
A black dot appeared at the end of the tracks, growing larger and closer-an old-fashioned steam train billowing white smoke.
The train clattered into the station, its wheels screeching against the rails, and slowly came to a stop.
The carriages were dark brown, their paint peeling in places, and a thin layer of mist covered the windows.
A conductor in a heavy padded coat jumped down and shouted to the passengers on the platform, white breath puffing from his mouth. "Anyone going to Snezhnaya City! Get on, quick! We're only stopping for three minutes!"
Varesa grabbed Bai You by the wrist. "Come on, hurry!"
She pulled Bai You toward the carriage door, their footsteps scattering little sprays of snow across the platform.
Varesa jumped aboard first, then turned around and pulled Bai You up with both hands.
The carriage was warm and cozy, a world apart from the ice and snow outside.
Dark red velvet covered the wooden seats, a few old suitcases rested on the luggage racks overhead, and the heating pipes gave off a faint hiss.
There weren't many passengers, and they sat scattered about. Some were dozing, while others watched the snow through the windows.
"Over here, over here." Varesa pulled Bai You farther into the carriage and stopped at a window seat. She pressed Bai You into the inside seat and sat down beside her.
She wiped a patch of mist from the window, and the snowfield outside immediately came into clear view.
"Look," she said, pointing out the window. "We'll pass through a few forests and cross a great big icy river on the way to Snezhnaya City. If we're lucky, we might see the aurora."
Bai You murmured in acknowledgment, but her gaze rested on Varesa's profile.
Varesa had one hand against the window, her nose almost touching the glass. Her breath misted it over again, so she wiped it clean once more, never tiring of it.
Looking at the adorable Varesa, Bai You thought sweetly to herself,
What a something-or-other little water sprite she is.
The train whistled again and slowly began to move.
The carriage swayed gently. Bai You lost her balance and tilted a shoulder toward Varesa.
Varesa steadied her, then simply pressed her head onto her own shoulder.
"Lean on me. You'll be much more comfortable this way," Varesa said gently.
Bai You nodded slightly and stayed where she was.
Varesa's shoulder was small, soft, and warm. She had a faint, pleasant scent that mingled with the smell of the carriage's heating, making Bai You feel inexplicably at ease.
The tracks clattered rhythmically, like a slow lullaby.
Outside the window, the snowy scenery began slipping backward. Woods, snowfields, and snow-covered peaks in the distance swept past frame by frame, like an endless scroll.
The sun sank lower and lower, setting the sky ablaze with orange-red. Then it slowly darkened, turning deep purple and finally inky blue.
Varesa rested against the top of Bai You's head, humming on and off. Her voice was very soft, for fear of disturbing Bai You, and was almost inaudible amid the train's clatter.
Bai You closed her eyes.
She thought of the first time she had seen Varesa, the snowman they had built together in the cave, the bubbles they had blown together in the water, and the last song Varesa had sung when they left the cave.
She recalled how happy they had been, playing together. So happiness was this dreamlike...