"Winter..." he sighed, leading Kusuriyuri to one of the spiraling vines, asking permission of the Mother Tree before shaping them to a form more closely resembling stairs so they could climb easily. The Mother Tree's amusement with them was still strong, with it a strong undercurrent of deep and gentle love.

"I have never seen a winter like the ones that are rumored to happen here. A keeps mentioning Christmas... I think it's celebrated differently here."