It was the twilight of fall; the season's full rattling of the flora and fauna had been complete. Only the strongest remained for the waking parts of the oncoming winter. The first message had been sent and received — snow graced the mountaintops of the Vale, shadowing their depths down into the common areas of Dawnbreak. It was brighter all over — even in the young girl's heart.

In the recent weeks, something had changed. Of course, not all saved from her self-doubt or gloom, there was something— someone that was dredging up feelings of something else. Something more magical, that warmed her heart and reminded her of childhood and that whimsical feeling she once harbored. For the first time in a long time, there was a spring in her step.

It had been a few moons since Dalmatia had visited any one of her sisters one-on-one and she wanted to change that. She had spent so many nights inside, reclusive from the world around her, unable to cope with her mother's death. She'd pin herself deep within the depths of her den and only make quick appearances dressed with her elk pelt even in the warm months of summer to hide her shrinking form — but, no. Today she wore it for warmth. To visit her sister.

The spotted woman hopped up the path towards Euphemia's home, carrying a small pouch made of an old fox pelt. Dal chuffed softly when she was outside, not wanting to intrude on her personal space. Hey, Euphy, The nickname slipped from her lips, a relic from childhood, Are you home?

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

Time had found Euphemia within the hollows of her den. She was almost always found within, or around her home – for if she were going to be a homebody, she must at least like the place she inhabited, no? It was in this pursuit that Euphemia realized that being holed up all day underground did no good for her mental health, and for that reason she pawed at the threshold of her den until it existed beneath a low-lying arbor, which gave her a defined place to rest and recline that was still distinctly hers, but open to all sorts of whim and whimsy that the world might proffer her.

From this vantage point, Euphemia watched ice crystals glide through the air. They were whatever made it through the canopy far above, and evaded her makeshift awning; thus, the snowflakes were few and far between and afforded the fae much fascination. She studied it closely, goldenrod eyes blazing, until each flake crossed paths with her nose, at which point the girl would woosh her hot breath at it, eviscerating the delicate snowflake immediately.

and just beyond her nose, Dalmatia. Euphemia perked up, a smile spreading across her lips like so many melted snowflakes. C’monnn she moaned playfully, batting her paw at her spotted sister as if she wasn’t resplendently happy to see her. It’s Phia, p-h-i-a, Euphy is such a baby’s name! She stuck her tongue out, as if she were nothing more than a cub once more, and her sister sought her out for nothing more than playtime.

At first sight of her, Dalmatia's grin spreads across her face, even though they lived so close, they had worlds of their own going on — sometimes, in Dal's spells, she felt planets away from them all. But today, nor any few days before, was like that. No, she'd been on this planet with them, with him, her paws securely placed to the ground. Not that she didn't have her head in the clouds from time to time — but right now, she is with her sister. Her playful and sweet sister.

Oh... Is that so? She hummed softly in return, pursing her lips and finding her paw underneath her chin, as if in deep thought, Hmmm.... Her gaze found Euphemia's golden eyes, reminding her of when the sun made its curtain call bowing over the horizon for the moon's encore, That's right! Phia. The spotted woman's own tongue popped out, Phiaaaaaa. She teased, unable to hold back a soft giggle, a noise that could make even the old crack a smile.

Dal popped back a pace, leaning down on her front paws, her rump lifted, demonstrating a clean bow-play form. As if they were children about to roughhouse once more. The elk pelt slips up a little and she shivers, picking herself back up, keeping a smile on her lips, C'mon... Wanna take a walk with me? Her eyes sparkled — to be fair, a walk, a race, a dance in the snow, was all the same to Dalmatia. It didn't matter, as long as she and her sister were together.

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

skill: [none]

To Euphemia, Dalmatia was the most paradoxical of her sisters. She had a most peculiar pelage, matched with a most demure personality. It was an interesting thing, truly, and so uniquely Dalmatia. Euphemia took much comfort in the spotted sister’s presence, for it was within Dalmatia that Euphemia saw a little bit of her own quietness, her own instability, her own desire for more.

Of course, Euphemia had noticed that Dalmatia seemed to be more upbeat as of late, but Phia could not fathom why that might be. Whatever it was, she was happy for it.

Their pealing laughter mirrored one another as Dalmatia submitted to Euphemia’s chosen nickname; although sometimes it was nostalgic to hear the name mother and father called her, most of the time it just picked at a barely-scabbed-over-wound that sat somewhere deep down inside her. Yeah, the silvered maiden affirmed joyfully, leaping forward to bat at her sister’s face with a delicate paw, more of a tap than anything serious.

Euphemia smiled, prancing on ahead of her. Sure thing, sis. Orange eyes squinting, she looked back over her shoulder, as if Dalmatia was already lagging behind. Anywhere you want to go? What’s on your mind?

---

Phia got a tap on Dal's cheek in before prancing forward, Dal yipped playfully and dashed after her sister with little care in the world. It didn't feel like they were adults, just two sisters, in a world that was everlasting in their youth.

Dal caught up within a few graceful leaps, paws imprinting the freshly powered snow, matching Phia's pace, shoulder-to-shoulder, No place in particular really... She admitted, having not thought too much ahead about where they might go. The question of what was on her mind, though... Oh, the places that could take them. Have you seen those... Odd snow formations appearing around the Vale? We could go see those...

Stepping in the direction of the last place she'd seen the snow sculptures (near the gathering place of the Vale), There was something I wanted to talk about... A reminiscent heat flash reddened over her cheeks as she thought of him, she was glad she wasn't side-by-side with her sister anymore, one glance over and Phia would be able to see how her cheeks lit up. I met a boy I really like... Her voice barely above a whisper, wondering how Phia would react.

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

skill: [none]

---

The two traveled on quite gaily, at first without a goal or destination – but then, as Dalmatia would, she assigned them one of each, rather quickly. First, she asked if Euphemia had ever seen the strange snow-things. Of strange things in the snow, Euphemia had seen many, but she suspected none of these were exactly what her sister had seen. This land had this effect on everyone; common experiences, with different personal interpretations of the things that happened.

Snow formations? like, the stuff that glows? the maiden suggested passively, almost as if it were normal for snow to glow. Yeah, i’ve seen it… Whatever it was, Euphemia was sold, and she allowed her path to be guided (however gracefully, minutely) by the spotted woman at her side.

It also seemed that Dalmatia had an ulterior motive, which she carefully began to reveal, peeling the cards away from her chest ever-so-slowly. Accustomed to most new in Dawnbreak being bad, Euphemia instinctively steeled herself against the unspoken potential that Dalmatia was about to share earth-shatteringly negative news. What? What’s wrong? she quipped with sudden alertness, hoping that her sister would drop any pretense and allow her at least the ease of knowing first if everything was okay.

---

The glowing snow had been a surprise to Dal, of course, she spent some time studying it (and maybe having a small play session in it). Yes! She chirped in response to Phia's suggestion with a smile. Even if she wasn't too impressed by it, the spotted woman was. She enjoyed the magic of it, something that didn't happen every day within the Vale. Well, we can go see it together now! She suggested, pressing onward to where she'd seen it last.

The worry in Euphemia's voice brought Dal to a quick stop, quickly reassuring her sister that it was not bad news. It was anything but. Nothing! Nothing, Phia, I promise. They'd had so much bad news recently, it was understandable that her sister would react, thinking it was a negative thing. For once, it was a good thing. Something that empowered Dal more than anything had in a while.

If anything... It's a good thing... I think. She started up walking once again, keeping close to her sister's side as if they were two children again, afraid they might get lost if they parted from one another, even though they knew these lands like the back of their paw. Have you met the brother and sister who joined us not too long ago? Sólúlfur and N​ó​ttin? She questioned, her voice soft, Well, one night not long ago... I found N​ó​ttin wandering around, looking for the best place to swim. And... well, I showed him around a little... And even after I departed for the night... He came to visit me again after... Do you think... That means he could like me? Even if the voices in her mind could be mean, telling her she is undeserving of his affections. She'd never really had thoughts of anyone finding her attractive; if anything, she thought he maybe got hit on the head too hard during the bear attack to think she was pretty, but for now, she'd take what she could get. Because... I think I really like him...

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

skill: [none]

---

Immediate relief was writ across Euphemia’s features as Dalmatia assured her that the news she held was not of the negative sort. She audibly exhaled for dramatic effect and smiled at her sister, listening to her speak of a sibling pair who had been with Dawnbreak for some time now. Oh, yeah! Solulfur, I know her… Euphemia commented but allowed Dalmatia to keep weaving her tale, and Euphemia only mused briefly of a reverie with Solulfur and the saccharine tones of honey.

Eventually, the truth of what her sister was telling her registered. Wow, Euphemia commented sincerely, her mouth held open and lips parted. Her first emotion was, unfortunately, concern. A young man had stolen the tender hear of her spotted sister – there was so much doubt that this brute was actually deserving of Dalmatia, who was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and special souls in the world. He would probably just end up hurting her, or disappearing without a word.

What did Dalmatia have that Euphemia didn't?

Euphemia managed to stow her savage disbelief beneath the very emotion that lay beneath that: innocent curiosity. Really? she gaped quietly at the spotted girl's admission that she liked Nottin too. How do you… know? That you like him? Euphemia found that her heart tended to flutter no matter who was near it – how could Dalmatia identify Nottin as someone special, that she was to value above others?

Similar to her question earlier: what made Nottin so special?

Euphemia had nothing more insightful to say; she would probe her sister for more details, drinking up every last drop in a terrible bout of simultaneous envy and worship, quietly living vicariously through her siblings.

---

skill: heartbroken

So she did know them! Or at least, Sólúlfur — but she knew of them and that was enough for her! Dalmatia continued on with her ramblings of feelings for N​ó​ttin and how she thought they may have connected. How she hoped they did, though the spotted woman was engulfed with a morbid spell of insecurity that had plagued her from youth. The soot that stained her was nowhere near as flawless as the two twins or Tibbi's gorgeous raw strength and beauty. They were hard siblings to compete with — if she were even on the level to compete with them; for her to have found these feelings before them (from what she knew of their lives, which wasn't every intricate detail) was odd even to her. It felt impossible, like a fairy tale. She only hoped it had a happy ending.

Phia hadn't reacted in the excited manner that Dal thought she would have, both of them having more emotion than their other sisters, making her heart drop a little. She wondered where the emotion came from — if it was her heart or head, or somewhere else entirely. There is a moment of silence, but her sister picks it back up with her curious nature. This lightened Dal up just a little bit, prompted to go on. Nervously, she went on, Well... I don't really know... It's just a feeling I have when I'm with him... He makes me feel... Seen. She paused, thinking, Like... Even if I wanted to fade away, Like how she did before, after their mother had passed, grieving until she was nothing more than skin and bones, He wouldn't let me. He'd light every dark spot, illuminate the whole place, just to dispel the shadows and find me. Like she wouldn't ever need to hide again; not that she could from him now.

And the way that my heart beats twice as fast when I see him, Her cheeks reddened, a feeling she was becoming used to when it came to anything that involved N​ó​ttin, It makes me feel... Alive. She said, thoughtfully, this feeling one she hadn't known since childhood, if that was even comparable. This one was more lively, a fire that fanned inside her.

I guess... It was then her voice dropped, a sullen tone replacing her previous excited one, I don't know... That anyone could really feel that way about me, fully. Maybe it was a passing thing, after all, it wasn't like he'd met Euphemia, or truly knew Aurelia, or was brazen enough to go for Tibbi. It feels impossible. A whisper, as her tail drooped behind her, eyes softening as she found herself looking to the snow at her paws as they walked.

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

skill: [none]

---

It was then that Dalmatia described something so fantastical that it took Euphemia for a brief ride through a roller coaster of love-emotion. Her sister’s sweet voice described something so lovely, that for a brief moment, the maiden assumed Dalmatia was lying through her teeth. However, it was the passion that colored that spotted girl’s voice that slowly edge Euphemia closer to believing.

But, was something so beautiful and pure even possible? Euphemia had long convinced herself that is was not, since she did not even experience this happy, complete sort of love (as described by Dalmatia) between her own parents. If their creation was not made of love, then it was truly amazing that love had found them at all. Perhaps, Dalmatia had broken the curse.

As much as Euphemia wanted to be jealous, she could not be. When one of her sisters won, it was as if she too, also won. Something about Dalmatia being loveable made Euphemia feel loveable, too. Dal, the silver maiden gushed, It doesn’t sound like you like him – she said, laughingly.

It sounds like you love him!

Her tail lashed, and she could not help how her front paws danced with excitement. How poetical is it that he loves you too – and how could he not, sis? she settled slightly, chest heaving slightly with the depth of her breath, and the sudden sincerity she felt pulse through her veins. You’re the best soul I know. I mean that, truly, from the depths of my heart.

If love was contagious, then Euphemia wished to be a contagion.

---