So sorry this is late! I meant to finish it before Chirstmas, but, one thing led to another and, yeah... But I didn't want a sloppy job just because I wanted to finish it, so I tried to make this as non-cliché and cheesy as possible. It was kinda hard thinking of a way to incorporate the chapter title into this scene. I had an idea of how I wanted the plot to flow, but I didn't come up with the tie-in until I was almost done. Hopefully it's not too out of place.

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Winter Tears

It wasn't intentional; she didn't mean it. People quarreled, and that was life. But it still didn't belie the emptiness. Or the hurt. Funny how it hurt. It used to be that nothing could faze her. But things were different now. Yeah, different...

Savyna stopped and glanced at the door of Miriam's house. She wasn't sure why she was here, but this was where her feet had led her.

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"Oh honey, everyone fights sometime. It's just the way things are," Miriam soothed while pouring out a cup of tea for Savyna. Returning the tea kettle back to the stove, she continued, "it'll be okay. Trust me." Savyna didn't say anything except stare at her steaming cup of tea. She slowly took a sip, pleasantly surprised at the minty flavor.

"I didn't know you had mint tea," Savyna commented, surprised. Mint tea was usually only available in the Empire.

"Well, Adam enjoys it, so of course I got some. Don't you, sweetie?" she cooed at her two year-old son who had waddled into the room, awakened from his nap. Savyna watched her friend pick Adam up and tickled his nose. He laughed, and tried to push away her fingers with his little hands. Savyna smiled at the tender scene. Miriam was a few years younger than herself, but already she was a wife and a mother. At times, Savyna felt that she was like Miriam's child herself.

All these new feelings she felt, the strange emotions welling up inside surprised and confused her. She felt like a child, learning about and experiencing these emotions for the first time. These sentiments weren't common during her childhood, and she was grateful for Miriam's support. It was probably this motherly trait that made Savyna feel comfortable. She was usually a loner, but Miriam's warm and reassuring personality drew Savyna in.

"So talk to me. What happened?" Miriam sat down across from Savyna.

"I don't really remember what it was about. A petty quarrel." Savyna stared down at her tea as the scene played out on its surface. Maybe they both just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or were just stressed. Savyna remembered raising her voice at one point, and Gibari stormed down to the docks.

"What about now? Are you still mad at him?" Miriam asked.

"Of course not," Savyna replied, surprised at the question.

"Well, there's your answer."

"My answer?"

"It's just a small lover's spat. Happens all the time to everybody. Don't worry about it, Savyna," Miriam assured her.

Savyna felt slightly foolish for making such a big deal, but Miriam didn't seem to mind at all.

"It's just that... I don't know how to say this... but, it's like no matter what has happened, at the end of the day, the only person I want to see is him."

"Well, sounds like everything is all right," Miriam smiled.

"... I suppose so," Savyna agreed, a small smile on her face.

"Well, now's your chance to confirm it. It's near dusk, and the men should all be heading home soon."

Savyna nodded. "I'll go back to wait for him. Thank you, Miriam."

Miriam smiled warmly and replied, "Anytime, Savyna." She and Adam waved as Savyna walked down the path. The air was cool, announcing the arrival of night. Darkness settled upon the fishing village, but it was a gentle, soothing darkness, and Savyna felt comforted by its shadows. She could see the warm glow of the houses up ahead, like soft globes of light. She saw that Gibari was already back, for there was light coming from the window.

Her boots hardly made a sound as they reached the door, a skill long-refined from years of silent killing. Gibari didn't turn around until he heard the door close.

"Savyna! ...you're back," he exclaimed, half-expecting not to see her until morning.

"I was at Miriam's," she replied.

"Oh, I see..." Gibari knew she had to be upset if she went to Miriam. There was silence for a while as the two of them struggled to figure out what to say.

"Ahem, well, I uh..." Gibari cleared his throat awkwardly, preparing to make a grandiose speech, but gave up just sighed. "Aw, hell, Savyna, I'm just sorry we fought. I guess I was in a bad mood or somethin'," he apologized somewhat sheepishly, looking away.

Savyna wasn't sure why, but she suddenly felt an urge to cry. She tried to ignore it, but her efforts must've not been enough, for her vision blurred.

"Hey, what wrong? Was it somethin' I said?" Gibari asked, bewildered. Savyna just shook her head and wiped away the tears.

"No, I just... felt like crying... But not out of sadness or pain." Gibari visibly relaxed and pulled her close.

"It's all right. Better not cry anymore, or those winter tears'll freeze," he joked, trying to cheer her up. Savyna chuckled.

"Too bad. They'd make some pretty memories," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Well, I think we've already got them," Gibari replied softly. Savyna was silent for a moment, then slowly replied, "I think you're right."

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Well, that wraps up this series. Hope you guys enjoyed those!