I startle awake in the middle of the night with a vague feeling I heard a scream. I glance to my left, my eyes easily piercing the darkness to catch Leomi struggling inside her blankets.

“Mhrh.” She groans.

She isn't moving a lot but she's clearly not having a good time. I almost get up but she told me to let her deal with it. It doesn't feel any kind of right not to go comfort her but... I close my eyes.

I don't manage to go back to sleep, unable to help my feeling that there's something wrong with this. It's frustrating, infuriating even, to hear her struggle yet be unable to help. I feed the constructs build around my heart with more flow, mostly to distract myself.

It doesn't feel right. We thought that already. It feels wrong. That as well. If I don't have a solution, then I should stop sassing myself. She insinuated we couldn't beat her right now. Oh please, of course we can't.

Because we haven't been working on the one construct that could make us strong. Not the only reason and I have a life to build. It's winter, we have plenty of free time. I get up and grab my coat to head outside, sighing.

As soon as I open the door, a burst of glacial wind carrying snow blows in my face. I shiver and hurriedly step out. That's not good, her warhorse has to be suffering. I search for it but I can barely see anything even though it's early dawn.

I rely on silver flickers to guide me but the problem is that I don't catch any. I scan the area for the golden glow of the flow Leomi stored but don't find it, realizing she likely brought that inside the storeroom.

I raise my arm to block the wind and take a few steps towards the place where she tied the horse, catching a glimpse of silver. I squint and distinguish the brown coat Leomi gave it.

The white warhorse is standing in snow, its head is lowered to facing the wind and falling snow. I swiftly untie its bridle from the tree and lead the animal towards the village.

While my house can give her warhorse some cover from the bad weather, it won't be good for its health if this goes on for too long. Otherwise, we wouldn't have needed to build the stables.

I feel my anger boil but shake my head to dismiss it. Buton is dead, the Rykz weren't malicious in killing our horses, and the villagers merely took down a useless abandoned building to protect their homes.

As I make my way into the storm, I focus on what Liz wants. I pull a whole portion of energy from the constructs around my heart, truly hoping that Suxen never realized what she hit on with the perception field.

Ironically, there is a good chance the madwoman's victims are more aware of her genius than she is. Then again, she might have slaughtered them all. I dismiss my anger again, it makes it harder to deal with the weather.

My trick to pain, cold, exhaustion, is not to fight but to work with them. The more you struggle against these things that cannot be defeated, the worse it gets. All I have to do is to let them course through, accept the chill with open arms, laugh with the hurt, endear the fatigue.

I chuckle and straighten my back, no longer trying to reduce my exposure to the snowstorm. I accelerate, after all I'm full of energy and healthy. The warhorse impassibly follows me, clearly thinking me crazy, the fool.

I focus on my flow, calling the unstructured field to memory. It isn't as chaotic as Leomi's jay, it has a recognizable pattern. I've figured out how to initiate it, but not how to make a construct out of it.

Wait, what if I treat it as the core and build on that? After all, there is no chance of me figuring out how Suxen arrived to this result, not with my knowledge. I assemble a timer segment and then a targeting one with my body as the area.

Next, I inject most of the energy into the timer, extending it so it'll release the flow in about three seconds. It should be enough to notice a change. I shape my intent into a wave-like core segment, focusing hard on my memory of the perception slowing field.

I gaze ahead at the snow dancing in the wind as I activate the construct. The timer segment starts feeding energy into the core while the targeting segment sets the area of effect.

A very thin field spreads out from the core segment. The pattern is identical to the one I recalled but there is no change I can perceive in the three seconds it lasts. It's either a lack of energy or a mistake on my part.

Let's think it through, the timer and targeting segments are doing what they should be, so if I made an error, it's in the core. I made it thinking of the pattern, so it should have slowed my perc... I pause.

No, I screwed up. My focus was on creating a core segment that generated an energy field with a specific pattern inside my body, which worked perfectly. Except, it didn't feel like the world slowed down for me.

Which is entirely logical after all, not only did I fail to intend to slow down my perception with this core segment, but all I did was determine an area of effect, not a real target like muscles or eyes.

Not to mention that constructs like sense-enhancing and lion strike are much more specific and precise than that, I've memorized the constructs which is why they work, I'm nowhere near understanding what I'm doing with them.

No, if I want to make this construct, I need to use intent with the targeting segment as well as the core. I accelerate my pace, feeling giddy about stealing some of Leomi's flow to try it out.

There is a very good chance this construct is never going to be efficient but if I manage to put it in order, I'll be able to create it within moments and activate it. It's probably dangerous to just direct unstructured flow to do something and stop paying attention, I realize.

Shaping the air with flow last night succeeded because I did it according to the air construct's structure, it would have just faded if I stopped focusing. But, if I directed the unstructured energy to act by itself, then what?

Then, I would have needed a lot more energy and my every passing thought would have had a chance to affect flow. Aren't we lucky using that perception field in battle didn't turn we insane? I ignore Elizabeth, she's just venting. You're as uneasy about Leomi as I am. I'm thinking, Liz, I'm uneasy because I'm lying to her by hiding the truth. Not just that.

I catch sight of the village, interrupting both my thoughts about flow and our propensity to make destabilizing comments towards ourselves. No matter, I need to sit down with Suxen's notebook and really think it through.

I recall that some of the equations she wrote down in there were present in the huge construct she used on me. I'll first continue on my previous thoughts and then figure that out.

“Hey! Open up!” I yell, slamming my hand into the gate.

“Jessica?” Frank calls out.

“Yes!” I reply.

I hear him run to the gate between two bursts of wind, followed by the sound of the wood beam being dragged off. The left wooden gate opens soon after, revealing Frank in a large coat holding it firmly in place.

I step inside with the warhorse and he hurriedly closes it before leading me under a porch near a fire. The houses block the snow and wind so I finally sigh out in relief and sit down on one of the stools.

“You crazy, going out in this weather with just a coat.” He tells me.

“Leom... Commander Lance's warhorse can't stay outside in the snow, do you mind taking care of it?” I ask.

“Of course.” Frank hurriedly agrees. He then makes a disappointed expression and gives me an apologetic look.

“She didn't send me, I'm indeed crazy.” I tell him, catching onto his thoughts. “And she'll pay you back.”

“There's no need.” He quickly refuses, looking relieved.

“I'll get into a fight with her so you better ask if she doesn't volunteer payment.” I tell him in a serious tone.

“I... You're putting me in a bad spot.” Frank mutters, making a grimace.

“Don't worry about it, she doesn't bite.” She does. “Usually.” I add.

“Are the two of you...” He trails off, waving his hand.

“It's complicated.” I shake my head. “You jealous? I heard from Ms Conner.” I directly confront him.

“About?” He blinks, looking utterly lost.

“Hm.” I ponder. “Never mind, she said you were interested in me.” I explain.

“I am.” He says. It takes a few seconds for him to realize. His eyes widen and make a long face. “Not that way!” He exclaims. “You're a bit of a mystery so I did ask around, but I'm definitely not interes...” He abruptly stops talking.

“It's okay, I'm not going to feel insulted.” I chuckle. “Take the bridle, I'll take advantage of your fire for a while until you return.”

Frank gives me a curt nod and leads the warhorse away into the main street. Ms Conner was going out on a huge limb, which is reassuring because I have enough on my plate. How quickly I forgot the extent of the freedom I acquired for myself.

The shackles that come with being part of a community really aren't anything to scoff at, it would be rather difficult for me to keep refusing advances and maintain good relationships if I kept living here.

Then again, I doubt there would be many who would be interested in me because of my handicap. Ms Conner's idea is pretty good to be fair, Frank has a regular pay and is likely to take residence in a city once he's promoted, both things would guarantee me quite a good life.

I turn back to my understanding of flow. I could direct unstructured energy to manipulate air according to the air construct's method and follow a series of instructions to for the energy work on its own, which would allow me to achieve results without continuously focusing. But, that is merely theoretical.

For this to work, I would need to keep everything in mind as I directed the unstructured flow to do as I wish in one go, I doubt there is anyone alive who can do that without making any mistake. The concentration and accuracy required don't seem to be possible.

Which is why constructs are so important, apart from lowering energy consumption. Not to mention that my knowledge of the air construct is insufficient to be efficient, I could have done what I did last night with a third of the energy if I used a construct and someone like Suxen would likely need a fifth.

A whole portion of energy to move a few kilograms a few meters, that's not comparable to the air-blade that requires the same amount of flow to kill a soldier equipped with a shield and hard leather armor. Still, it shows the progress I've made.

I hold my hand out to the fire and pull the scraps of flow I've regenerated on the way here to draw out conditional segments, refreshing what Celyz taught me. It's about all I can train with so little energy and it should be useful at some point.

Frank returns a good half-hour later. I immediately get up and give him a nod before heading back out into the snow. I struggle to face the wind after having been in the fire's warmth so I spread my arms out and take a deep breath of harsh cold air.

The chill gives me goosebumps but once the icy wave passes, I manage to forge onward. Once home, I open the door to find Leomi up and at work on sawing a plank with the golden jay on her shoulder, near a fire construct for warmth and light. She looks up, allowing me to spot a chip of wood in her hair.

“I brought your horse to the village.” I tell her as I approach.

“Thanks a lot.” Leomi smiles. “Slept well?” She asks.

“Relatively, you?” I question, reaching to pick the wood chip off.

“As usual.” She says, reflexively slapping her hands on her pants to reach up and comb her hair.

“You had a nightmare.” I comment, reaching out to her cheek.

“It... I don't know.” She sighs, leaning into my palm. “But this is good.” She says, glancing down at the saw stuck in the plank.

“Okay.” I nod. I set aside my plans to check out Suxen's notebook. “Let's get to it then.” I grin.

She nods firmly inside my hand, it makes me realize that my gesture is no less possessive than hers was, yet she revels in it as I do. I feel my heart jump inside my chest along with a loving warmth.

We work through the morning, managing to make another chair and cut the pieces for the shelf. I let her do the heavy lifting because she seems to need it and take the opportunity to clean up the wood scraps, throwing them in a stack that I set on fire to make lunch.

While I cook a simple gruel, Leomi goes out with a heavy fur coat to do the laundry. The snowstorm abated while we were inside so it doesn't worry me too much. I chuckle. Like she would be at risk.

Yet, she doesn't return even after I've finished the food so I step out to check on her. I catch a flicker of silver on my left and almost immediately feel an impact. Smack.

I instinctively shift into a low stance and glance at the origin of the attack while simultaneously preparing to retreat. Leomi is standing at the corner of the house, wearing a toothy smile. She is shaping a bunch of snow inside her hands. I stare blankly until she raises her arm.

“No!” I yelp like a little girl and run away.

Poof. Her snowball smashes into my back, disintegrating as she didn't take enough time to prepare it unlike the previous one. The amateur. I scan the area and find a tree to hide behind.

“Jay, don't hide!” Leomi cries out. “I won't do it again!”

Yet, I don't hear her approach so she's clearly being sneaky and preparing a third snowball. I decide to ignore her unless she surrenders and crouch to grab a handful of snow.

I stare at my lone hand for a little while, trying to process the fact that I might be in a bind. Smack. The trunk is hit by another attack. This is no time to hesitate! I set myself to work rolling the snow in my hand on the ground.

“Come on out, I want a kiss!” Leomi yells.

I can't help but throw a look around the trunk, finding an empty yard. Poof. A snowball clips the branch above me. A shovel's worth of snow drops atop my head and shoulders.

“Iuahrhaaaaaa!” I let out an animalistic cry of surprise, outrage, and dismay... only to hear my kitten laughing her ass off behind another tree. “This is war!” Elizabeth yowls.

“Bring it on!” Leomi challenges with a joyful tone.

I take cover and let go of my meager snowball to start another, planning to stock up on ammunition before launching an assault. I keep my senses peeled as I gather projectiles, which allows me to hear her approach when I start on my fifth snowball.

I instantly abandon my plan. I get up and carefully step around the trunk, keeping it between us. I catch the moment when she slows down, likely because she spotted the small pile of ammunition I gathered.

She doesn't hesitate long before launching into a sprint to steal them. I jump out of cover and throw my snowball, barely taking the time to aim because she's so close. Smack. It impacts her in the center of her chest.

“Ayah!” She squeals, falling over backward.

I jump at my other snowballs and start raining vengeance upon her. Leomi crosses her arms in front of her face, screaming murder. I explode in giggles, which causes me to miss her with my last throw.

Leomi suddenly sits up with a snowball in hand. I choke on my laughter and immediately raise my hands in surrender, acutely aware that there's no way she'll fail to hit me at this distance. I try to make the most pitiful expression possible.

“Now, who's laughing?” Leomi asks with a sadistic smile. Ah, shit, shouldn't have tried to trick her into letting me off.

“Wait, wait. We can talk this out.” I plead, calculating that changing attitude will trigger an attack. Besides, she looks so free and happy.

“Not interested!” She exclaims, bringing her arm back and launching her projectile.

Smack. It lands square on my nose. I roar and charge her before the snow even rolls off my face. Leomi guffaws when my shoulder hits her stomach. We fall together on the ground but she broke my fall so I manage to mount her.

“This is inappropriate, I'm a Lady!” Leomi tries to protest seriously but her grin is somewhat undermining her.

“You're a villain! Ambushing me to rob my lips.” I counter with a grin of my own.

“I was just trying to catch your attention? There was definit... probably no lip robbing planned.” She replies feebly.

“Oh.” I say, making a disappointed face.

“No, no, there was!” Leomi backtracks in a split-second, reaching out and placing her forearms on either side of my neck.

“Ah! You confess your crime!” I exclaim victoriously.

“I was distracting you.” Leomi replies, her sadistic smile returning.

I stiffen, a terrible feeling rising much too late to be of any use. Her left hand suddenly lifts my collar up and her right slips under, releasing a handful of snow that slides down my back.

“Urhaaaa!” I squeal like a child again as the utterly freezing sensation spreads over my back.

Leomi takes advantage of my slightly distracted state to pull on my neck and steal a kiss. I manage to pull out, only to find her closing her eyes and letting her head fall back into the snow with an ecstatic expression.

You relaxed too soon. I pull her fur coat open and lift up her shirt, slipping my head under it to start kissing her belly's discreet muscles. Leomi squirms but doesn't make a sound so I start occasionally tickling her with my tongue.

“Ah!” Leomi gulps. “Haha, ahahah, st, ahahaha, haha, stop!” She breaks down in uncontrolled laughter, her body convulsing.

She gathers what little energy she has to make a vain attempt at pushing me off. I take advantage of her failure to grab her flailing wrists in my hand and pin her arms down in the snow above her head.

Yet, doing so breaches my tickling focus and allows her to regain some presence of mind. Leomi raises her legs and uses her thighs to jerk us to the side, throwing me into the snow next to her.

I tense and close my eyes, expecting revenge of an equal measure. I tighten my grip on her wrists to minimize the damage I'll receive only to feel her soft lips tenderly pressing on mine and her breasts pushing against my own. I melt inside. I love her so much.