[Moloch]

tap
tap
tap
tap.

This winter is particularly aggressive.

Enough so that you can't hear a soul around you.

tap
tap
tap
tap.

That's a good thing, I'd say.

There's much less to filter out.

tap
tap
tap
tap.

They'll tell me as soon as I'm home.

That they've chosen me as the Ambassador; that I'm to set for -that- shrine as soon as the frost clears.

I can already imagine it. The door sliding open, news striking before I can brush off the rime or take my shoes off.

tap
tap

...
tap.

They're sending me to a much louder place.

I should just... stand here and empty my head. If I don't go inside, then I won't be obligated to travel abroad.

.
.
.

fwooooooshhhh...

.
.
.

"I'm cold."

.
.
.

tap
tap
tap.

If the alternative is to freeze to death, then that's just very unfortunate.

A very Yueliang way to go.

I can't have that...

tap
...
tap
tap

The door's right there, the news are surely behind. I can read them in the air.

The shikigami keep whispering them, louder each step nearer I draw.

.
.
.

My words to them are so predictable, a rookie could read them in the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup.

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.

"So be it."