It was surprising how quiet the streets were; most if not all people were inside with their families celebrating the day together. They both remained quiet as they slowly walked down the snow covered path, Winter easily getting accustomed to the crutches.
"This is not the first time you've used them" Jihae noted as if reading her thoughts and Winter smiled, lighting her face up with some force.
"No, I've been in this situation a few times though I've always had two legs before" Winter responded with a joke, keeping the moment light-hearted as she tried to forget the past. Winter noticed the sympathetic glance Jihae gave her and she gently laughed, her mood brightening up as she was glad to be outside today instead of being stuck inside. She always disliked being kept inside; it left her struggling to breathe, as if the walls were constantly closing in on her. It felt like a cage…
"Don't look so gloom Jihae, anyway how did you get a hold of these?" Winter continued on, changing the subject and although Jihae noticed her intention he didn't refuse it.
"It's surprising what props you can find at work, they didn't mind me asking to take them" he informed her and a blush graced Winter's cheeks.
"You didn't need to get me them. How did you know I was willing to accept them?" Winter softly said and it was now Jihae's turn to smile.
"I didn't know, I just hoped" he said with a small laugh and Winter's eyes glistened in amusement.
"So tell me, what do you have in mind? Are we to meet with Jieun?" Winter asked in curiosity and Jihae looked ahead, steering her in the direction of the city.
"We'll be meeting with Jieun later… as for now we're going shopping" Jihae said as he smiled down at her and Winter frowned.
"I haven't had time to sell my items for money yet" Winter confessed, thinking of the rare jewellery that remained in her bag. Jihae seemed unfazed by this as the smile remained on his face.
"Worry not I have enough money" he comforted her and Winter frowned even more.
"Jihae you-" Winter started to argue, not wanting him to spend money on her but he laughed silencing her.
"It's technically your money, it's the extra money work paid me for allowing you to model with me" Jihae told her and Winter felt parted. She didn't feel she earned the money but she knew Jihae wasn't going to change his mind so she sighed, shaking her head.
"Thank you" was the only words Winter could think to say.

The city was busier than the streets they walked down; odd men and women raced around to different shops while a few lonesome people sat quietly in restaurants and coffee shops.
"It is surprising they keep the shops open, from what I've heard Christmas is a huge thing" Jihae lowly said and Winter nodded in agreement, reading the expressions of people who she walked by without being noticed. There was a mix of emotions among those who were in the city today, some she wished she didn't notice.
"I guess it is a place for people to be when they have nothing to celebrate" Winter quietly said as she spotted an extremely glum looking old man through a coffee shop window. Jihae looked across to where the man sat and looked away, not wanting his mood to drop.
"They are not much different from us" Winter continued to talk on and Jihae raised an eyebrow at her misplaced words.
"They live a very similar life to us though our way of living is more… medieval from what I can tell" Winter slowly explained, her words low as she tried not to be overheard from people passing by.
"Although it is questionable if it is truly balanced there is a lot more equality among the people no matter their gender or class… well more equality than our world" she continued on but she found herself pausing when she noticed a shadow crossing Jihae's expression.
"Forgive me" Winter quickly added, her eyes casting to the floor as she continued to swing in time with her crutches to keep walking forward.
"I did not mean to offend" she softly said and she felt Jihae's spare hand land on her arm linked with his, gently rubbing it in a tender way.
"None taken" she heard him murmur back but she found it hard to believe his words.
"Y'know" Winter mumbled after a few moments a silence, the pair of them wandering into a clothes shop. She remained silent as they passed a few people in the store, heading straight to the women's clothing. Once she was comfortable with no one else being in hearing range did she continue to speak.
"There are worse things that could have happened then being silver. Black is considered an omen, a taboo among my peers. They say that the soul and spirit is a never ending pit of darkness, a rabbit to have the colour of mine is destined to the darker side of life" she said as quietly as she could, fumbling clothing as she passed tops and dresses. Now and again she would pause to eye up a piece of clothing but it was clear that her mind was elsewhere for the moment.
"They also say they are as pure as the white coloured rabbits" Jihae noted, as if knowing that information already. At the mention of the white rabbits she froze, her brows furrowing a few times before finally grabbing onto a dress of her choice and eyeing it up.
"It is strange how the prince is not like any other" Winter offhandedly murmured.
"He has been lucky" Jihae said, unsure of where the topic was going. Winter's eyes fell onto his, her lips twitching as if wondering how to voice her next words.
"Or sheltered. Your protection over him does not go unnoticed" she finally managed to say but Jihae knew she wanted to say more.
"I have seen many horrors as I'm sure you have, I wish to protect him and his innocence" Jihae said and with those words Winter saw a barrier fall from his eyes, as if one of his protective layers had fallen down for her. A weak smile fell on her lips but she couldn't help but feel parted.
"I know that look" Jihae softly said with a sigh.
"You too wonder if it is a good thing or a bad thing. Many years I have pondered if I should protect him from the world or should I educate him in a hope of a better future" Jihae continued on and Winter was thankful that he felt the same way she did.
"I doubt there is ever a right way around it" Winter honestly said, her eyes turning back onto the dress. Winter wanted to say more on the topic but with people wandering closer by she put the thought to one side, placing a smile on her face as she looked back at Jihae.
"What do you think?" she asked, hinting towards the dress. Jihae too placed a smile on his face, knowing that he was being watched by people who noticed and recognised him.
"I think it would look wonderful on you" he honestly said and without another word he took the dress from her grasp, carrying it for her as they continued to shop for clothing.

Several hours later and they were sat in a small, empty café with only two other customers. One man sat at a tiny round table with a cup of coffee at the side of his laptop. He dressed in a black suit, a high class man Winter assumed, and his brows were constantly furrowed as he worked hard on a project. At the other side of the café sat a woman… no, sat her mother. A look of wonder, confusion and loneliness was spread across her face as she tried her best to focus on the book in her hands. It was a book based on animals, rabbits to be exact Winter noticed and she softly smiled to herself knowing although she had lost her memories and her past she was now in a safe place. She was dressed snuggly in thick clothing, Winter always remembered her disliking the cold. Winter was similar to her although she was long used to the cold, endless nights out in the rain and snow making her strong and able to withstand the temperature.
"We can leave if you are uncomfortable" Jihae whispered from beside her and Winter jumped, falling out of her thoughts and back into reality.
"No it is quite alright, Jieun is due to arrive at any moment anyway" Winter quickly responded, giving him a strong smile. Jihae placed his hand onto hers in support, his eyes questioning if she was truly ok with being here.
"Honestly Jihae it is fine, I am just relieved and thankful that she is safe" Winter softly told him and Jihae nodded, relaxing down as he looked at her. Winter turned her gaze away from the woman, taking a deep breath as she looked at the menu in front of them. They had agreed to wait for Jieun before ordering but she still hadn't decided what she was having, to tell the truth she didn't really care what she had.

It wasn't long until Jieun arrived and the three of them enjoyed a small meal together. Winter wasn't all too surprised about Jihae choosing this café after spending some time there, it was extremely quiet and people kept to themselves rather than being obnoxious. Winter enjoyed the company of the two, even with Jieun being lost in his thoughts most of the time. Winter wasn't sure whether she should envy his perception on the world or not; he seemed so free and carefree but while in his company she couldn't help but analyse him. There was an odd spark in his eye and his manner and it unsettled her, making her curious and weary to what triggered it. She would figure it out one day but for now she would enjoy her time here while she could.