Marmalade

Ropes of snow were falling onto her shoulders, covered by a coat of thick red fur. Despite the black sweater she wore underneath - and the white shirt hugging her skin - it wasn't enough for her not to irk at the rough fabric. Completing the outfit were black stockings that followed her thin legs; and brown mounting boots, narrow and unpolished. Her petite stature made the getup ridiculous looking.

Truthfully, that wasn't the end - two more elements stood out. The first was a bloated gray backpack, carried by thick leather straps. It size made it a prime candidate for an imminent explosion. The woman loathed the additional weight.

For the last - it was her orange hair, the short, thin mass curving around the outlines of her scalp. A white sheen emanated from it, the snow pilling up and melting the color.

Not a dim, boring shade of orange either - rather, the most dazzling, saturated tint. Amidst this white landscape, it was brighter than a beacon.

Otherwise, her face looked ordinary - painfully so.

She looked down - a pile of snow. If not for her chosen clothes, her feet would've been frostbitten in a minute. Then, upward - the sky was a bland gray, the sun smoldering at this height. Finally, she turned around. Inside of a mountain base, a crack, wide enough to be a bear nest, had a flickering white light escaping from its depths.

The woman took shelter in the cramped cave - of course, the bear wasn't much of a threat, because there was none. Here, a weak animal rolled a flawed dice for his chances of survival; the North spared no soul, after all.

As such, it was no wonder how the academy's choice of sending rookies in those very lands, for a training stage, stirred up some - well, interesting discussions. The experienced hunters advised for it, while the rest acted the opposite.

Naturally, the stage took place. And now, she was stuck there, freezing on the spot in-between a dozen clusters of rocks whose peaks stroked clouds. The location of her classmates was an open secret - they had no idea about each other's.

"Shit..." She cursed at her wanting stomach. Food was scarce - and indeed disgusting. The water, made from melted snow, tasted worse than a colony of insects.

The necessity of food made her brain spin around, in lookout for any solutions.

"Ah." It worked. She walked in an unbalanced gait towards her self-made cave, before taking a sharp turn left. On the mountain's rear, a path extended upwards, like a staircase.

The many steps nature had made were of uneven height, some slippery, others swarmed by vines or pointy angles. It coiled on itself about three time - she climbed thought it, then took a halt. Her path was put on hold by

simple issue - there were no stairs left. To reach the mountain's low peak, there was one method.

She had to cut through the rock. Not much, about five meters - but the danger of collapsing the whole structure was a real possibility.

After taking two steps back, the most leeway available, the woman took a deep breath. "I-It's okay. It's the plan, remember." Her muttering was muffled by the whirling gales.

She rushed forward, jumped into the air, both legs folded backwards. A transparent layer of blue particles began forming at her feet, the form of a square. It became solid; she threw her legs at the rock.

Then, the square dug. There was no sound or friction - no images either, as she'd closed her eyelids. When she opened them, it was all white - again. Behind her, a square-shaped hole. A wave of relief flooded her; she panted in hushed breaths, before turning calm.

'It's too scary for me.' she thought, gazing at the new view - another sequence of peak, all one-upping the other in height. Below her, the short mountain's front was fifty-meter-tall cliff edge. She shuttered at the cold.

A minute passed, the woman began looking around in the air. At this height, far more mounters roomed this realm than the ground - at any rate, she wasn't confident in killing them.

Soon, however, as her stomach complained again, she spotted one. A bird, covered in disgusting, thick black fur. Six stick-like legs hanged from its belly, white a pair of square wings made it afloat. Its head - well, she never gazed at it.

A wooky - ugly, yet its meat was one of the most refined meals in this landscape. That is to say, a passable taste.

Then, she blinked. Once, twice. Something happened - rather, two, so close together that there was no time to react.

A ray of light began falling from the sun. The mooky's body, flying underneath, didn't turn into ash. It disappeared - the middle body, soon after, everything else.

"...Huh?" She let out, not much in surprise than complete confusion. In tiny adjustments, her gaze drew closer to the ground; until it landed on them.

A pair of dots, at this distance. Squinting her eyes, she saw a man and woman, crouching underneath a glistering sword. The blade's edge mirrored the ray of light. Behind it lagged a robot. He had on its arms a ridiculous pile of objects.

She didn't know what to make of it - thus, she let out a laugh. Her dinner had been snatched away - also, the least logical sight she'd ever seen was unfolding.

Then, they locked gazes - the two's body revealed themselves. Bad got worse - they were like cavemen, wearing only a strand of cloth on the waist. In the woman's case, not even the chest.

In a deafening sound that the snow couldn't bury, the woman grabbed the man by her right hand, the sword in the other - still aimed at the sun - before sprinting ahead.

As the thought of jumping away reached her mind, it was too late.

"Human!" She heard gibberish. The woman's nose was touching her's. Her blond hair of unnatural color, combined with youthful and dainty features blended into a perfect canvas.

The cavewoman dropped down both deliveries on hand - as she did so, the ray of light disappeared. A brown-haired man fell on the floor - his features were quite similar - unfit for a man, she thought. Meanwhile, the sword had many gems carved into the piece; it blade made for a meter of sharpness.

"My head... Lee, remember, you have be nice to her." It was once again gibberish, a primal language. They communicated in unfamiliar gestures and glances.

"Of course I'll be! We're just asking for a bit of help." The cavewoman replied, before laughing out loud. It was universal sound - the only one she understood.

And then, amidst this spectacle devoid of logic - a pretty caveman, the lavish sword, and the cavewoman's hanging chest, she broke down.

"AHHHHHH!" The scream echoed through the North peaks. She pushed aside the two, jumped into the cliff. Her thought process, altered by a week of isolation, had reached a conclusion.

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This height wouldn't kill her, much less with the layer of snow.

These persons were weirdos. Thus, she had to run away, far enough to never encounter them again.

The acceleration from falling caused her coat to be stolen by an upward gust. It rose out of her vision - a chill flowed in her body. She closed her eyes in anticipation, before feeling a hand of her back. Then, another on her thighs.

"What is she doing?" she heard the same language in the dark. Her eyes creaked open - it was the cavewoman and her flawless face, again, princess-carrying her. She was throwing daggers at the man.

The woman, having accepted her fate, felt all stress wither out from her body - like it'd done a loop around from too much build-up. Her feet touched the snow again.

"Hmm..." She thought of the best way to off this communication. "Do you understand me?"

While the cavewoman made a clueless frown, the man answered - "I am Sami - she's Lee." - and pointed at his alleged partner. Unlike their rough language; this time, she understood part of it - the two names.

Now armed with easier labels, she went forth. "Who are you? From which land did you come?" Her voice was stable - worryingly so, even - as no anger or ill intent filled Lee and Sami's words.

"Okay, I think I got it..." She caught Sami's muttering - it was fluent. He got up, walked towards Lee, then whispered something in her ear.

"Is it fine, now?" Sami spoke with a clean tone. Each of his words had a rough, yet accurate pronunciation. He threw his brown gaze at her.

"Ah, yes." She was baffled, though of it as a skit or prank. However, after analyzing their behavior, the reality imposed itself onto her beliefs.

Yes, they were weird - that was all.

"Is it the way you pronounce your language? I'm sorry if it's somewhat off." Sami glanced skyward, dejected.

"No, it's quite good." At this point, she decided to play along. It was a great shake off from boredom. "Are you Sami - the girl's Lee, right? If I've heard you correctly."

"Yes. Oh -" He pointed at Lee for the second time. "-she's never learned the language. Just give her a few days."

She wasn't confident on the best answer. "Sure." It was her best attempt. "By the way, how is it that you know Japanese so well? It didn't look that way a minute ago."

None of Sami's facial muscle moved or twitched - a perfect still image. It became impossible to decern a poker face from extreme confidence - she toward the former. "Hmm - well, I've travelled a few times, so listening did the job."

She raised a brow. "A few times?"

"One or two - I'm ashamed it took me this long..." Sami replied. It was - of course - a ridiculous answer; a mockery, perhaps.

Glancing at her right, Lee was standing there, arms crossed in front of her chest, with a beyond serious expression. Because she nodded at random intervals, a fair assumption was that she didn't understand anything at all.

The robot was - well - busy catching up in the snow.

"What's your name, by the way?" Sami spoke, a glint in his eyes - Lee had it too.

She froze for a second. "Ugh... Is it..that important?"

"I don't see why you wouldn't share it." Sami was adamant, his will made of iron. Pierced by two gazes of both sides, she gave in. "It's Marmalade."

There, Marmalade said it. The least she expected was a chuckle - at worse, they would leave on the spot.

"I see. Well, nice to meet you." Without warning, Lee took a step forward, before hugging Marmalade’s small figure. The momentary skin ship gave her needed warmth.

She felt at ease - then, the instant after, weirded out or terrified. Then, she noticed it - rather, felt the sensation. It was a chilling cold freezing Marmalade's body, through her bones, blood and skin. In an instant, a reflex kicked it - she pushed Lee away.

"What the..." She heard Lee mutter, before observing her knees, calves, and toes. All were coated with a pale clue coat - frostbitten beyond repair. A quick glance revealed Sami's condition to be the same.

"Y-You!" Marmalade erupted while pointing at the two. "You're freezing? What the hell!" This logical deduction was coming awfully late. Yet, neither budged - instead, a look on confusion bloomed on their eyes.

"...We don't quite understand that. Sorry. Why are you screaming?" Sami crossed his arms. His words were worry-free.

The sight irked Marmalade harder than the climate. "The cold, you goddamn idiot! I'm just noticing it - why are you bare skinned? Seriously?" Her face looked ugly, contorted by disbelief.

For a moment, there were no motions from either sides. Sami and Lee, frowning, threw glancing at their legs, then back at Marmalade. Their expressions were morphing into unseen ones - not a dainty, untouched kind.

A noise rung out - Sami sneezed. He pulled back his head, fluttering the long brown hair. It fell over his face in short strands.

Then, their body shivered without stopping. "H-Hey, is that temperature? C-Curse this..." Lee stuttered, eying Sami's dead eyes. "I-I don't know, I d-don't get i-it." The sound of their clanging teeth were like a chime.

In a muffled thud, Lee's knees gave in- her body plummeted. Marmalade dashed. "Are you alright?"

As Lee raised her head, a pair of yellow gems glistered - tears fell on her cheeks. Like a new-born baby-

"Of course not! It hurts, fuck!"

- she cried sincere pain. Her defenseless demeanor exuded pity - cuteness, maybe.

Marmalade couldn't decide.

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The cave's wall were damp - not with water, but an unknown blend of fluids. A hand stroke would deposit on one's skin a texture so bothersome a whetstone rug wouldn't get it off.

Marmalade adapted - that is to say, dealt with it by avoidance. Still, the environment was disgusting - and lightless. A pit of darkness, really.

She leaned against a sticky wall, squashed. On her left, a half-naked man - sleeping like a dead man. The lilted motions of his stomach assured Marmalade the opposite. Up, down - she heard a breath.

Then, on her right, a half-naked woman - worse, even, as her chest was exposed. Hints of frostbite were scattered on her smooth white skin. Her head, hand, toes - even the golden hair was shivering.

However, the gesture wasn't obvious. Marmalade's fur coat was draped over the three in a self-made cocoon - an awkward and warm proximity.

It was Lee - still awake, gazing at a wall ahead. A moist look lingered at the corner of her eyes.

Marmalade was, by the dim reality, trapped.

"Ah..." Lee glanced at Sami's rested state, then at her neighbor - her clothes. Not once, nor twice.

"...You want that?" Marmalade spoke.

Lee shook her head around, then pointed at Marmalade's chest.

"Clothes?"

This time, Lee nodded. "Wait a minute..." Marmalade leaned forward, grabbing her filled backpack and zipping it open. "I've got some spare ones." She shrugged. "Probably."

A quick search later, Marmalade's hand pulled out with a godsent-outfit proposition. White shirt - a thick fabric; a spare, long coat, whose leather was puffed by phosphorescent cotton; and then, black sports leggings.

Lee's eyes were beyond excited - a revolution was unfolding. "So that's my first clothes." She whispered to herself. After receiving Marmalade's gift, the legging hanging in her hands. A thorough look later, Lee felt confident enough - in an instant, her skin became hugged by black fabric.

"Hoooo..." The novel feeling dispelled parts of the cold. Lee loved it - in fact, so much that she equipped Marmalade's armor in two smooth moves. At least, it was how the orange girl witnessed the scene.

In this getup, Lee's body didn't shine as much. While Marmalade prepared a set of clothes for Sami, the thought of waking him up never manifested - for lack of any better options.

A gust of icy wind entered the cave - both girls trembled. She brushed back her orange bangs on the sides, before sighing.

"Oh, and." Marmalade grabbed Lee's full attention. "Your sword - I didn't pick it up. Carrying you took was - well - annoying enough, you see?" What I am saying - she doesn't understand me." She snickered.

Lee shook her head sideways; golden bangs were flying.

"...So you do understand me, but you can't talk the language?" Marmalade asked.

Lee nodded thrice. A wave of shame crashed onto the cave.

"Ah...Sorry about that, then. I'm sure your life isn't that better, seeing how you're here." Her tone was half-mocking, half-serious. Oblivious, Lee shrugged. In unison, they let out another sigh. Both shared a laugh at the coincidence.

Marmalade enjoyed the moment; it cleaned off the dirt from her tired mind. With such a pure, lost woman stroking her right shoulder, it was like raising a pet.

She chocked - maybe she'd went a nudge too far. Lee had a worried look.

"No, no, I'm fine." Flustered, she waved a hand in tiny circles.

An idea traversed Marmalade's brain; more so a craving. From her trousers' pocket, she took out a small gray rectangle box, presenting it to Lee as a priceless trophy. On its backside was written an inscription.

'For stressed hunters. I'm sure you are.'

In a swoop, Marmalade grabbed two paper cylinders, filled with green and aromatic powder, before sticking it between her lips. "Want one?" She offered her hand at Lee, who frowned.

"You've never had it before? For real?" Marmalade insisted. With hesitation, Lee pulled the cylinder by her fingertips, then mirrored the gesture. The position was awkward - everything was a mess.

"Never heard of it?" Lee answered with a weak nod. "Alright. Just breathe in when I do."

Under both rolls of powder, Marmalade snapped her fingers in a blue blaze. The tip of both cylinders were combusting at great speed. Lee watched a cloud of green smoke escape Marmalade's mouth - like a fancy show.

Then, she tried it. Lee inhaled a puff of smoke; it spread out to her tongue, her throat, activated her taste, before irking her lungs. When she spat it out, the first impression was -

- quite disgusting.