"Cold?"
"Just a little."
Rif nodded sympathetically, trying to ignore his own frozen body. "We-we probably should have just gone to Icicle Inn, go-oten a ride back here an-"
His shaky words were cut off suddenly by the soft voice of the blond.
"They d-d-don't have any vehicles up there, Rif."
He blinked stupidly, green eyes slightly wide behind his glazed over sunglasses.
"No transport?" He couldn't believe that. "Not even a chocobo?"
The bleach blond shook her head, long hair shuffling about and scattering snow from its grip.
"N-no. Not even a chocobo."
That was a surprises. He couldn't remember ever being in a place with no transportation at all. Trembling as a burst of wind cut through his layers of clothing, Rif turned his head to call over his shoulder at Blade.
"Dove, you believe all this n-nonsense?"
When no reply came he frowned and stopped his dragging pace. Blade had been silent most of the day, complaining only once on the hike back about being cold and having a horrible ring in her ears. That had been near an hour again now, the black haired man realized. He had not even noticed the lack of breathing in his ear because of the wings loud shrieks, and Blades steady crunching footsteps had not been missed. Until now. Trembling from the cold Rif turned, heaving his duffle bag higher up on his shoulder.
He hardly remembered to snatch off his useless sunglasses, having gotten used to Emily steering him along. Squinting against the sudden light and slight glare of the snow, Rib blinked rapidly and searched for Blade amongst the snow.
'Damn white flecks," He thought bitterly, closing his eyes and ripping off a black glove, 'Cant lay off long enough so I can see, cant they? Oh no. No, no. Cant do that for-'
In the middle of his mental rant, shielding his face from snow, Rif spotted her a ways off .Blades slim frame had fallen to the snow, ice slashing through the thin material of her jacket to tear up her arm. Blood scattered the ground, ruining the white sea. Rif's eyes grew and he dumped his bag, jamming his glove and glasses into his pocked and racing for Blade.
"Bab-Baby?" He called, stumbling in the snow, boots crunching ice. The sharp wind cut across his face and chilled a little more of him. Blades head lifted slowly. From under matted down hair her brown eyes gazed at him sadly. Rif toppled down into the white field, face drowning in snow. The sight of those eyes…
'Glowing…Fuck, who cares?! Get up Rif!'
Shaking arms helped to get him back onto his feet, and he again stumbled for Blade.
'Why is she so weak suddenly? What's gone wrong?'
"Darling? Blade? Blade?" He fell in front of her, strong hands grasping her shoulders as she began to slump downwards.
"They…" Blades voice was soft and weak, like a frighten Childs would be. Breathless almost.
"They?" Rif asked, frantic. "Gods, Baby, yours ice!" He swiftly unzipped and unbuttoned his trench coat, gently yanking her towards him. His arms swooped in around her, his jacket clutched tight in both hands. Always a little to large, the jacket managed to partially swallow the woman. Finding fully consuming her in its warmth useless, he yanked the trench coat off and flung it around her shoulders. Once satisfied it covered her well enough he embraced her tightly, holding her against him.
"so… So many voices." Her own voice was a haunting whisper now, one which caused Rif to tremble.
"Dove, dove," He cooed softly, resting her head on his shoulder and pressing his cheek to her hair. "What voices?"
'Blade, what's wrong with you? First you saw things and now voices…'
"They are screaming a-at me. At us."
"Who, baby?" He asked softly as she wrapped her good arm around Rif. Gently the man took her other arm and lay it on her lap.
"They want me to op-en the box."
"The one Em-"
"Hurry up!" an obnoxious voice called from behind him. Rage flared inside, but Rif refused to scream. He'd repay Emily for her actions and demands later. Now he'd stay here, stroking blades hair and helping her along.
"The one Emily has?" He finished.
"Why didn't they tell me?" He was shocked by the suddenly strength in her voice. Cold and violent rage. Her grip on his clothing tightened. Her frozen body tensed up. Rif took this moment to drown his friend even deeper in his warmth and embrace.
"who tell what, my darling?" He asked, closing his eyes.
"Hey!" he ignored Emily.
"Them. At first. Any of them."
"Baby?"
"He's dead!"
Rif blinked, looking at the black of Blades hair.
"Sweetie, who is dead?"
"Dammit Rif!" He heard her stuff down a sob of anguish, "Zack's dead…"