Glacier Bumbus
Gastrodon
"I should have checked the weather today", you thought to yourself, barely managing to lift your leg above the ever-piling snow. The wind howled right through you, chilling you to your core. You knew that it would be cold--clearly; but you never imagined you'd feel this cold. After all, this was only to be a short sight-seeing trip through Ytiva. You always heard that the Arctic Frost was beautiful this time of year, but you were beginning to regret your decision to finally make the excursion.
You continued to trudge through the snow; growing more and more exhausted with every step--but it was becoming increasingly apparent that you had found yourself hopelessly lost. Perhaps, if the weather weren't so harsh, you could ask a passerby for directions-- but the blizzard afforded you no such luxury. Even the local shops offered no boon, with doors and windows latched tightly shut. Placing your hands on your knees, you sunk downward. You struggled to catch your breath; every inhale sending icy daggers through your sore and tired lungs.
"Excuse me, are you okay?" A small voice called to you, seemingly from nowhere. You shot up, looking for the voice, but you could see no one. "Hello?" You called out, searching for the source of the voice.
"I'm surprised to see someone out in this storm," The voice replied. Straining your eyes to see through the blizzard, you just barely could make out a small shape hovering right in front of your face. A snow fairy! You felt a wave of relief wash over you. You had never seen one in person before, but you had heard tell of the Snow Fairies of Ytiva-- benevolent entities, known for helping those in need; working in tandem with the esteemed Melody.
"I take it you didn't check the weather report?" she sighed. You shook your head in confirmation. If you could have felt your face in this moment, you would have surely felt flushed with embarrassment. "Why don't you come with me then? I can take you someplace warm." The fairy gave a slight chuckle, failing to hide her amusement.
Following behind the kind stranger, you continued to trek through the snow-- led by the faint glow of the snow fairy's iridescent wings. You struggled to keep up, but you could see the fairy turn back every so often to make sure you hadn't lost sight of her. After trudging along what seemed like an eternity, you came upon a small log cabin, nestled among a thick holt of snow-capped pine trees. "We're here!", the fairy beckoned. Just as you turned offer your thanks the fairy, she was gone. Before you stood a sturdy wooden door, decked in festive Luminaire decorations.
Upon twisting the knob and pulling, the door did not budge. With each attempt, you grunted in frustration-- whilst a bell-adorned wreath jingled mockingly in your face. Finally, after managing to push some of the piled snow away from the base of the stubborn door, it finally gave way and swung open-- sending you stumbling; but rewarding your numb face with a gust of warm air. You let out an exasperated sigh of relief, slumping your shoulders as you drank in the warmth for a moment; before entering the cabin and closing the door tightly behind you. Your fingers prickled with slight discomfort, which quickly turned to grateful satisfaction as you slowly regained feeling in them.
As you took a few steps forward, you were greeted by the familiar scents of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon. You appeared to have ended up in what looked to be a small--surprisingly busy, cafe. Luminaire string lights hung from the ceiling, reflecting a soft light off of a glass case of delicately iced pastries. The sound of clinking glasses and chatter among guests filled the air. Looking around the room, it appeared that this establishment was run entirely by snow fairies- using their magic to lift mugs of coffee and hot cocoa deftly through the air, swiftly delivering them to expectant patrons.
"Oh dear!" a voice squeaked across the hustle-and-bustle of the cafe.
From a distance, the source of the voice appeared to be another snow fairy--but after making your way towards the counter, you saw what appeared to be a white bumbus; her silvery wings fluttering dutifully as she stirred a mug of coffee bigger than herself. "Please, have a seat." the bumbus trilled, delicately placing the spoon down on the wooden countertop.
"Welcome to the Snowbank Cafe! My name is Vespi, and these are my associates." She smiled warmly, gesturing with her tiny arms outstretched towards all of the snow fairies in the cafe, who met your gaze with friendly smiles and waves. "Please, make yourself at home."
Your bones creaked as you lowered yourself gingerly onto the sturdy wooden chair, your body still achy from the frost. Two fairies hurried to your side, lifting your heavy winter coat off of your shoulders. "You are welcome to stay and wait out the storm here if you'd like," Vespi smiled. Just as she said this, a snowflake-adorned mug floated across the countertop, landing gently in front of you.
"What'll it be my friend; coffee, hot cocoa? Or perhaps some tea?"
