Volume 18 - Ski Lodge Kobold, Chapter 139 - Frostbitten

A muscular kobold and a slender frost elemental were seated across from each other at the small kitchen table in Rosty's brand-new home. The interior decor was a unique blend of modern minimalism and traditional Shinto style: plain white surfaces peppered with religious amulets and red braided cords. Korbin sipped hot tea from a thermos while Rosty enjoyed a slice of frozen chocolate cream pie, both delivered from the resort kitchens.

Korbin smiled a wide and welcoming smile and said, "As you may have realized, I built Ski Lodge Kobold to be a vacation destination for all people, human and liminal alike. Liminals have only been living among humankind for a handful of years, and this will be the first resort of its kind in the world."

Rosty nodded, watching Korbin with curious intensity. Then she said, "And how do I figure into all of that?"

"Well, you were here on this mountain first, so I feel like I owe you a great deal. Legally, I own the whole area, but human laws mean very little compared to the power of a mountain god, and I wouldn't try to bully you with them regardless." Korbin scratched at his chin bashfully, then said, "So I guess I want to make sure you're happy with the way I'm running this resort."

Rosty shrugged. "From what I've seen so far, it seems fine. You aren't recklessly tearing up the earth or needlessly destroying trees, the way some people have done."

"About that…" Korbin started, his head lowered shamefully. "I had to cut down a fair number of healthy trees to make the ski slopes. I'd like to plant a new tree for every one we cut down."

Rosty reached across the table and lifted Korbin's chin with a chilly finger. "Do not concern yourself with that. The mountain ecosystem is much more than just trees, and I can handle the trees myself. I'll just foster growth in some young trees outside of your cleared areas. They'll be fully grown in a season or two."

Korbin blinked as he processed that statement. He was still getting used to what a mountain spirit could really do. From what the Shinto priest Hideki had said, a powerful mountain god could move heaven and earth, at least within their own domain.

Rosty continued, "As long as you don't do anything crazy, I can keep the whole mountain happy and healthy on my own, even at my current power."

"Oh, that reminds me," Korbin started. "Do you want me to announce your presence and invite visitors to pray and pay tribute to you? I've heard that another mountain god across the valley has benefitted from allowing visitors to her shrine."

Rosty hesitated for a moment, wary of inviting the public eye upon herself in this age of information. Then she threw that concern aside and said, "Yes, please do. It's been so long since I had worshipers of my own."

Korbin said, "You got it. I'll mention you in our big grand opening announcement. I'm expecting a few thousand visitors over our first week, and I'm sure most of them will at least stop by your shrine briefly."

Rosty's fork stopped just before her mouth and the bit of chocolate pie started to refreeze from her icy breath. She had severely underestimated the number of people Korbin's announcement would reach. At her peak power 500 years ago, Rosty had about 100 worshipers, mostly farmers from the valley below. The thought of thousands of worshipers had her both salivating and trembling in anticipation.

Korbin screwed the cap back on his thermos, then he stood up and said, "I've got a lot of other preparations to see to, but I'm always just a phone call away." He had already explained to Rosty what a phone was, and left a printout with very clear directions next to her honden's cordless phone. "I'll make sure to run any major changes in plans past you, since you're effectively my biggest shareholder. I look forward to our continuing business relationship."

"Oh, of course," Rosty replied, a little puzzled by the strange way Korbin handled things. It was certainly pleasant and agreeable, but also formal in a way unlike the servile priests she was used to having around.

Over the next few days, Rosty roamed around the resort, re-familiarizing herself with the mountain and investigating all the new structures. She preferred the chilly ski patrol buildings and ski lifts, but she sometimes wandered into the main hotel and lodge. The staff all knew her by sight and allowed her anywhere she wished, at Korbin's request.

She meandered into the main lodge area, a massive room with rustic wood decorations on the walls, plush chairs and couches scattered about, and a roaring fire going in the central fireplace. She quickly noticed Korbin in the corner of the room, typing speedily on a laptop. He could be often be found working in odd spots around the resort.

She approached and said, "Hello, Korbin. What's that you're doing?" Rosty still didn't understand most new human technology, but she wanted to fix that. After her long hibernation, she planned to stay awake for a good long time and she meant to make the most of it.

Korbin set the laptop aside on a polished pinewood table. "Oh, I'm just putting the finishing touches on our grand opening announcement. I've got to email all our marketing partners about the new start of season and—" He stopped when he saw Rosty holding up a hand and looking a little lost.

With a sheepish smile, she said, "I meant the thing you were doing with your hands. It reminded me of the 'soroban' counting device I've seen merchants use, but I don't see any beads on your machine."

Korbin smiled. "Some people still use the soroban or abacus, but I was typing on a computer. In some ways, computers are the evolution of the abacus, and typing is just another way to write things down. I was using it to send a message to some business partners about our grand opening."

Rosty was a quick learner and Korbin's explanation was good enough for her to get the gist of it. "Oh, thanks for the explanation. If you're busy, I'll let you be."

Korbin shook his head. "No, that work can wait, and there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about." He patted the seat next to him on the couch and said, "Do you have a moment to sit with me?"

"Sure…" Rosty sat down, restraining her frost powers to keep from freezing the couch.

"To get straight to the point, I'd like to know just how much of the weather you can control."

Rosty quickly answered, "As much as I want, as long as it involves snow or ice and is within my domain, which is a fair bit larger than your ski resort. I won't be able to do much in the summertime, but that's more a limitation of my frost spirit nature than my strength as a mountain god."

"Wonderful!" Korbin said excitedly. "Could you keep the snow coming steadily until Friday, and then keep the skies clear through Monday? That would make for a beautiful opening weekend."

Rosty leaned away, her pale blue arms crossed over her chest. She frowned and said, "That's an awfully specific request, Korbin. I'm feeling a bit… used."

Korbin's eyes went wide, the fur around his neck puffed up, and his ears folded back submissively. "Oh, I apologize for overstepping my bounds, I'm—"

Rosty burst into laughter. It was a cheerful sound that rang out high and clear like a frozen waterfall. "I'm just kidding! I'll gladly do that. I'm looking forward to all the visitors myself and I wouldn't want their first impression of me to be hindered by bad weather."

Korbin spent a moment collecting himself and brushing his fur back flat, then he said, "On the topic of first impressions, I think it might be best for you to leave any television interviews to me for now. They can be very stressful, and it's easy to make a poor impression on accident. Is that alright with you?"

"You think I couldn't handle it?" Rosty accused. Then she immediately grinned and admitted, "You're right. I'm not ready for that yet; I still don't fully understand how that television thing even works. Thank you for looking out for me."

Then she hopped to her feet and strode away, saying, "I'm going to go for a stroll around the rest of my domain, to see if any other interesting residents showed up while I was asleep."

Korbin watched her until she left through the north doors, then he shook his head and grabbed his laptop. He went back to typing his emails, but his attention never fully returned to his work.

"We're here in remote Okayado with local business magnate Korbin the kobold," said a man in a brand-new grey winter jacket. His short black hair was perfectly styled and he wore a small earpiece in his left ear. The man continued, "He's already launched two liminal-centric businesses, a nightclub and a gym, and he's about to open the world's first liminal-friendly ski resort."

Then the reporter turned to address Korbin directly. "A new ski resort is always newsworthy, especially one built with liminal accessibility in mind, but I heard there was something extra special about this one. Would you like to explain what that is?"

Korbin smiled, making sure to not show too much of his sharp teeth. A furry and muscular dog-like man in a suit and tie was an unusual enough sight as is. "Gladly, Yosuke the human."

After a short chuckle, Korbin continued, "While we were building the Ski Lodge Kobold resort, there were some signs that something unusual was happening on this mountain, like bushes growing overnight and ponds freezing solid in the dead of summer. Then a week ago, the entire town was hit with a powerful cold snap."

Yosuke nodded in understanding. He'd reported on that unusual weather himself. "That was certainly wild. They had to issue emergency broadcasts and travel restrictions. But what does it have to do with Ski Lodge Kobold?"

"Well, when that cold snap ended, our resort was visited by a very special liminal, the one who caused that weather. Most liminals, myself included, aren't much different from humans physiologically, but some have abilities we can only describe as magic. Our honored resident is very much in the latter group."

He held up a large picture of Rosty, looking beautiful and regal in her blue dress and crystalline crown. "She's a frost elemental, and she's also what Shintoism calls a mountain god, the protective spirit of this mountain. Her name's Rosty, and she's looking forward to meeting new people after a three-hundred-year nap."

Yosuke didn't need to fake surprise. He'd been briefed on the situation, but hearing all the details was a bit overwhelming. He closed his gaping mouth, then said, "Oh wow, that's amazing, Korbin. But tell me, what are the benefits of having a mountain god at your ski resort?"

"For one thing, Rosty's ability to make it snow on demand will save me a fortune on snowmaking machines." He laughed and patted Yosuke on the shoulder, then continued, "But on a more serious note, Rosty was here before us, so I don't want to treat her like resource or even an employee."

"So she's more like your neighbor?" Yosuke grinned and added, "Or perhaps your landlord?"

"That's actually an excellent description. I've been treating her like an advisor or investor who also has the resort's best interests at heart. In any case, Rosty will be living at the new Fuyukiyama Shrine and accepting visitors and prayers. Come say hello, and maybe pray for some gorgeous weather and perfect powder before you hit the slopes."

Yosuke turned back to the camera and said, "You heard the man, folks. Check out Okayado's new Ski Lodge Kobold winter sports resort, which boasts specialized equipment and instruction for humans and liminals alike, and a genuine mountain god. The shrine and the slopes are open now."

Even after the excitement of opening weekend had passed, Korbin stayed at Ski Lodge Kobold. When he wasn't helping manage the resort and the media, he went skiing, lifted weights in the guest gym, or relaxed in the lodge. Of course, Korbin's version of relaxing was just sitting still while he worked.

He was in the main lodge room with his laptop open on his lap when Luru walked by. She was still in full ski gear, having just finished teaching a ski class. Her ears were hidden by a knit cap, but her face still had enough catlike features to reveal her liminal nature, and her tail was pretty obvious too.

Luru stopped and looked at Korbin, then followed his gaze. He was staring out the window at the pure white slope that rose into the distance. Some skiers zipped by from time to time, but Korbin's eyes remained unfocused. He was totally zoned out.

"Hey Korbin? You alright, Boss?" Luru asked. She'd never seen Korbin looking so out of sorts. Maybe the busy weekend had actually managed to deplete the kobold's seemingly bottomless energy reserves.

Korbin blinked slowly, then looked up at the tall woman. "Oh, I'm fine," he said. "Just a bit distracted."

Luru had a theory about what was distracting him. She'd bet money it was a certain frost elemental, one who he'd been talking to an awful lot lately.

She said, "You have an office at Sports Club Kobold, right? The Lodge is up and running on its own now, so you could go back there. You'll get more work done without so many… distractions."

"Huh? No, I'm fine working here. All the bustling activity isn't distracting… at… all…" He trailed off, staring out the window again.

Outside the massive lodge windows, Rosty was passing by, practically dancing on top of the soft snow. Children in puffy winter coats, some human and some liminal, followed her and tried to catch the fresh snowflakes that fell from the swirling ball over her head.

Luru shook her head and smiled, thinking, Korbin's definitely smitten. Or frostbitten. She sat down next to Korbin, but he didn't even notice. Side by side like that, Luru was taller but Korbin was nearly twice as wide at the shoulders, thanks to his muscular build.

Quietly, Luru said, "Admit it, you're distracted by Rosty." She expected him to deny it, and was a bit surprised by his response.

He closed his laptop and sighed. Then he said, "I am, but I don't understand why. I see beautiful women all the time around the gym. But Rosty, she… she's…"

Luru offered, "She's different?"

Korbin nodded. "She's different. Since she awoke, we've spent a lot of time talking, because she's curious about the modern world, and I like to hear her opinion on how I'm running things. She's got this perspective, this energy, that I haven't seen before."

"So what are you going to do about your distraction problem?"

As Korbin settled back into the couch and reopened his laptop, he said, "I don't see it as a problem. Sure, I'll be inefficient for a while, but that's no reason to run away to my office. After all, I promised Rosty I'd be around if she needs anything."

Luru tried with all her might to keep her mouth shut. She wanted to tell him that he was clearly in love, to push him into Rosty's arms, but it would probably be better for him to figure it out on his own. She settled for patting him on the shoulder and saying, "Sounds like a plan. See you around the mountain, Korbin."