Winter 2023

The wintry-browed girl was known for many things around the ship: being the little bookworm nested away in the library, and serving as the ship's cook who made everyone their favorite treats — she even made sure the kitbulls had their crystals to suck the energy from. What was not known were the odd little hobbies the girl had somehow become interested in after reading ideas in crafting or adventure books.

With the winter season now well underway and a fresh blanket of snow covering the surrounding area, it was the perfect time for Blossom to attempt her first willed hobby. She wanted to be the best at this one to join contests and collect little ribbons she intended to use as prized bookmarks.

Cracking open the ship door, the swell of cold air caught her off guard and stirred her. She froze momentarily, allowing the first crisp breath of air to escape her. Her body was wrapped warmly in comforting winter clothes, unlike usual days. This season of storms required 'normal' clothes, and she was more than happy to oblige, enjoying the cute idea of wearing her best ugly winter sweater. The ugly sweater matched perfectly with the clash of Winnie's gifted Butterfly Wing Cloak to her. She had it wrapped around her, much like her favorite scarf, for some added advantage in getting around the snow piles.

With the Butterfly Wing Cloak, Blossom would leap to glide around, finding the best spot to start her newly explored hobby. What was that, you may ask? Well, the young snow girl had set her eyes on making ice sculptures! Surely, like some of the best ice sculpture makers, she could use her frost abilities to aid her in crafting up a fine sculpture.

As much as she embodied both of her aspects, Blossom was rare to ever tap into them despite going to school for the subjects. She just had not found the proper use for either, other than having them aid her in small things for everyday life.

"This looks like a good spot," Blossom murmured, clapping her long wood-pattern mittens together, pleased.

"SQUAWKKKKK!" screeched behind her suddenly.

Blossom jumped instantly and took to gliding away from the sudden squawking noise. In a panic, she turned to expect a monster but only found her new pet, Jay, the Sol Roc chick, who ran about in a wild little frenzy. Apparently startled by her reaction and acting as if it were about to attack something invisible, trying to get them both. Little blue chicken-like wings flapping as it jumped around, unable to properly fly yet. Right now, the poor recently hatched thing was more like an angry little ostrich than a true grand Sol Roc.

"Oh my... Jay!" Blossom beamed, calming down at the sight of him, tucking down her Butterfly Wing Cloak to her sides. The silly little Sol Roc had been her Christmas gift from their ship captain, and Winnie's adopted father, Medi. Such a grand little gift it was to receive the Sol Roc egg as a thank you for all her help around the ship and making some of the tastiest food in the celestial seas!

Jay stopped ruffling his little feathers, realizing there was no threat to himself or to his beloved keeper Blossom. Curiously, the little Sol Roc ventured closer to Blossom with the hopes of a few good pets, interested in what she was doing out here.

"You must have escaped my room... I did not think to look if you were up before leaving," Blossom giggled. Usually, pets would be stationed in their own quarters in what the ship called their 'pet barn.' A large location in the back that was suited for many species of pets and mounts to be transported easily through the celestial seas. Given Jay was so small and freshly hatched, Blossom thought it already to make a small bed for him in her room to sleep on. Much like a kettlekat bed at the end of her own, both Magna and Jay were permitted to sleep there as special pets. Surely, when Jay grew, he would be far more comfortable within the pet barn with the other creatures.

"Nonetheless, you're here... No sense in sending you back in. You have your little red scarf bow on... and petting you," Jay felt nice and warm, well-suited for the wintry temperatures much like herself. "You're fine... I suppose you can stay out here and keep me company as I work." Her voice was firm and determined, hoping it would be okay for the little guy out here. No beasts were thought to be lurking that could snatch him up, so Blossom felt comfortable allowing him some airtime. Speaking no more, the snowy girl began her work of pushing what snow she could up into a mound, marking out a good square to work within for her sculpting abilities. First, she used the snow within the square, finding it humorous that Jay tried to help as well by nudging a few snowballs up with his beak, and then went farther out to collect more snow to toss upon the pile.

"Well, this is slowly coming together... Isn't it, Jay?" Blossom said cheerfully, finding it easy to collect this large amount of snow needed. Even if she was picking up handfuls or carting it like a bowl with her Butterfly Wing Cloak, the girl was surprised by the sudden amount. Getting towards the end, Blossom whipped some of her frost magic up to flurry in a few more pounds. Then, the snow girl started to pack the snow upwards while thinking of an idea to do.

"What do you think I should start with, Jay? Make a castle? -- no, that would be too hard," she hummed, her mind racing with ideas. "Maybe a snowman?" That idea made her giggle. "Nah, that would be too easy." Just as she got done piling it to a proper height of around her size, Jay waddled over with his own idea. The little Sol Roc had brought over a single flower that reminded him of Blossom herself!

Reaching down, she picked the gift up from Jay with a smile, liking the little bird's idea for her sculpture. "A flower?... a sculpted snow flower? That is a lovely trial idea!" She looked over the landscape and noticed it would be a nice addition to their view from the kitchen when one looked out the window. Grand ideas tickled at her, liking the thought of the others surprised to see such sculptures randomly popping up before they awoke, the little hobby of Blossom that showed itself randomly at times. "Let us begin..." Blossom confirmed for herself, then went about cutting away at chunks of snow. She used her hands, little sticks, and of course, for more intricate details, her will of Frost magic.

Jay found himself watching, occasionally sidetracked by a tasty-looking winter bug crawling across the snowscape. The little Sol Roc rushed about to collect the skittering little bugs for a snack while his beloved keeper worked.

"There... what do you think?" Blossom exclaimed after some time, having finally finished her snow flower. It looked better than expected, which made the girl rather proud. This interesting hobby she was undertaking would surely bring a lot of spare fun to her winter mornings and be a good bonding experience for her and Jay, now that she found it to be fun with the little bird at her side.