The setting sun was fighting a losing battle. The freezing evening air, daring to contradict the warm burning glow of the dusk sky had found support from timid clouds – fearful of casting their sheltering shadows on the small campsite. In the distance, past the seemingly endless snow coated plains and lazily rolling hills, the purple shadows of vast mountains stood mocking – the city of Flanoir safe in their rocky embrace.

Presea cast long, unfocused gazes about the quiet camp as she emerged from the sparse woodland nearest the four well weathered but sturdy tents. Approaching the crackling fire in the centre of the tents, she dropped her axe and the bag full of firewood she had been collecting, and set about throwing some of the larger pieces into the licking flames which devoured them greedily. Presea took a seat on a snow-cleared tree-stump beside the fire, and began slowly stoking it. Watching the disturbed ash spill into the air like dying fireflies, she felt unaccountably sad, like some tragic forgotten memory was tugging at her, desperate to be re-discovered. A melody, both familiar and strange, came into her head and she began to sing along quietly with words that she had no recollection of ever knowing. Like a fading dream, the source of the song eluded her thoughts.

"Hey Zelos! Mr. Mysterious masked handsome warrior! Watch this…"

"Lloyd! I swear, if that hits me I-"

Presea jerked her head up in alarm at the sound of a muffled thud to see the familiar red-haired figure of Zelos standing outside of the tent he had just emerged from, the fragmented remains of a rather large snowball coating his face like confetti. The small girl stared curiously at Zelos for a second, and then followed his irate gaze towards the tip of the nearest hill. She hadn't been aware that anyone else was outside of their tents.

As if on cue, and with a loud Whoop, Lloyd emerged as if from what looked like the snow itself, bearing down the hill at great speed with Genis and Colette in tow. All three of them armed with a large cargo of snowballs, which they proceeded to throw with appalling accuracy towards the Tethe'alla Chosen. For his part, Zelos backed less than gracefully into his shared tent while muttering sulky curses and something about frostbite and beauty. With the loss of their shared target, the giggling trio turned on each other, their accuracy slightly improved.

Presea watched the three of them, framed in the sunset sky, feeling confused. It was a scene which was begging with her to laugh, or smile, and yet… She looked back down at the now roaring fire. What is this I'm feeling? She thought, her grip tightening on the axe she hadn't realised she'd picked back up. It…It almost…hurts. But there's no reason for it.

The undiscovered and unlabelled emotions slowly expanded into a frustrating mess, so she decided to check that the Rheairds were secure for the night ahead. It had been unfortunate that their Mana supply had been depleted so suddenly, and when Flanoir was so close too. Even Professor Raine hadn't been able to figure out what was wrong with them, though she had near made herself sick with cold from working on them. Feeling thoroughly dejected, Presea stood up and made to pick up her axe from the snowy ground when a voice called out to her.

"Oh, Presea. Presea!"

Presea looked up to see Colette attempting to run down the hill towards her. The young Chosen was obviously having some difficulty in moving through the snow coated terrain. She faltered this way and that before, with a dismayed squeak, tripping up and falling spread-eagled onto the ground.

Lloyd and Genis paused their battle to witness the scene and burst out laughing at the sight of their downed friend.

"That's our Colette" laughed Genis.

Lloyd joined in, "Haha, yeah Colette, now you're a real snow angel!"

Genis paused, scowling at his friend. "Lloyd! That was so…lame"

The brown haired warrior looked slightly hurt at the young Half-elf's remark. "You think? And I worked really hard on it too."

Genis raised his eyebrows, "Worked on it? Lloyd! You sound as if you've been planning that for days!"

"Yeah, well…kinda." He started at his friend's disdainful glare, "B-but, not like you think. The idea came to me the other day, that's all.

Genis rolled his eyes. "And you've been waiting for an opportunity to use that line? Sometimes Lloyd…"

"Shut it Genis." Lloyd snapped, throwing the remains of the snowball that had been melting in his hand at the half-elf.

Presea watched the heated exchange of words and snow as Colette, laughing, picked herself up and resumed her journey.

"Presea!" She grinned upon reaching the campsite. "What'cha up to?"

Presea inclined her head towards the fire. "I was providing additional fuel for the campfire."

"Oh. You should have called someone to help you," said the Chosen, "you shouldn't go cutting down trees all by yourself."

"It is ok. It is what I am used to doing. Besides…" Presea paused, "…it is good to be able to provide a useful function outside of battle."

Colette said nothing for a second, "I understand. But, you should also remember to have fun too. Is very important."

Presea tilted her head to one side in thought "Fun? But there are still things that need to be done. It does not seem to be a productive way to spend your time."

"There's eight of us. So we can all help out when it comes down to it." Colette lectured good-naturedly as she sat down beside Presea, her back leaning on the stump. "Just remember to have fun too, okay?"

"I will try."

The two girls looked over to see Lloyd tripping up a snow concealed stone as he dodged Genis' snowball and falling face first into the snow. Genis' laughter echoed loudly in the quiet area as his friend scrabbled around, brushing snow from himself.

"Haha! Lloyd, you look ridiculous!"

Colette put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Lloyd, are you okay?" she shouted, before turning back to Presea.

"He's so silly sometimes" she laughed.

Presea stole another glance of the scene on the hill before focusing her gaze at the unseen stars in the darkening sky.

"You do seem…ah, very fond of him though."

Colette smiled as she stretched her legs out in front of her, "Um, well yeah, I am. He's a very special person to me."

Presea didn't move, just remained sitting on the stump with her head looking upward. "Special…" The word was almost a soundless mutter, as if she was testing it out for the first time. "So…that means you love him. I understand." She realised her fist were clenched. She felt a little dizzy after speaking, and couldn't understand why it was that she didn't really want to hear an answer.

Colette shifted with a start, and Presea broke off contact with the sky to look over at her blushing companion. "Forgive me." She said. "I did not mean to be so frank."

The young Chosen waved a hand dismissively. "N-no, it's not that. I'm not offended. But…but, I'm not sure what you mean."

Presea frowned and replayed the conversation in her head. Had she misunderstood again?

"You…love him. Yes?"

Colette stared at her winter boots, looking very awkward. "Well…um, yes – but its not like you think…I think. She frowned, disconcerted.

Presea smiled despite herself. "I think I'm a little confused. You say you love Lloyd, but not in the way I…think? I do not understand that. So…you are saying that there are other ways?"

Colette nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Many. You may be thinking of loving someone in a romantic way, but there are other ways you can love somebody. Friends, family, they all require different kinds of love."

Presea looked at the ground, absently picking off dead bark from the stump. "I see. This is complicated."

Colette turned around to face the small girl. "It can be, yeah. But, um, what we need really is an example. So…lets say Lloyd then, as we were talking about him anyway."

Presea felt something skip inside her and she nearly gasped. What was that?

"Ok." She said, returning her companions gaze as if the connection would open up doors within her confused mind.

"Umm…well then first, do you trust him?" Colette asked. "Do you believe in him, do you enjoy being in his company, do you value his comments?" She waved a hand in gesture. "Things like that."

"Well…" Presea paused, and scuffed the snow with her boots. Her face suddenly seemed warm, and her stomach felt weird. She closed her eyes, steadying herself; "…He is very pleasant towards me when you consider…ah… the things I have done. I do trust him and I value his comments approximately 80 of the time." She looked at the young Chosen. "Do those answers suffice?"

Colette was staring up at the dark blue sky, framed in the firelight. "Almost. What about if you think of not travelling with him anymore. Or if come tomorrow, you were no longer in his company."

Presea felt her face burning as she tried to think of an answer and wondered if it showed. What was causing it? She suddenly felt very uncomfortable and wanted to change the subject of conversation but for some reason something at the back of her mind was compelling her to answer it.

"This is difficult…but…I…I do not see there being a positive aspect to it. But I would suggest that the same could be said of most of our current companions."

"Of course!" Exclaimed Colette, looking back at Presea and laughing. "I didn't just mean Lloyd silly, if you feel that way towards someone, there's usually some degree of love or a bond between you. It happens if you travel with someone for long periods of time, or so the professor says."

Presea frowned. Colette had obviously discussed similar matters with Professor Raine. She couldn't understand why that bothered her.

"And that's…that is the way that you love Lloyd?"

Colette nodded. "I've known Lloyd – and Genis – since I was really young. I've never really thought about it, but I don't think I could see him in any other way than as a friend. A really special friend."

Presea felt light headed again and distracted herself from the odd feeling in her stomach by standing up and stretching. "I think I understand now. Thank you Colette."

Colette smiled as she also rose. "Not a problem. Say, looks like Lloyd and Genis are starting to build a snowman. Let's go help."

Presea looked at the two friends rolling a large ball of snow across the peak of the hill. The wind had picked up now, and she was starting the feel the cold somewhat. But there was something else too.

"I…thank you for the invitation to participate, but I would like to go and confirm that the Rheairds are safely secured first."

"Okay" said Colette, grinning. "But don't be too long or else it'll already have been built" With that she dashed off to join Lloyd and Genis.

Presea watched her go, leaving a trail of footprints, like writing upon a canvas of snow. She felt mentally exhausted but she went over the conversation again in her head, finding that it cheered her, and wondering what aspect of it made her so happy.

This is complicated, she thought, heading away from the camp.

The Rheairds lay within the sheltering overhang of the woods; large spreads of wind licked cloth tethered over them to the ground. They were, as she had expected, just as secure as when she had previously checked. But still it felt good to be doing something and not just thinking.

Building a snowman would be doing something tooshe told herself as she walked the perimeter of the vessels. But something didn't seem right about that idea.

Presea paused after checking the last Rheaird and watched the strengthening breeze torment the branches of the fir trees, causing them to disperse their snowy cargo onto the ground below. There was something about the conversation with Colette that had caused a brief moment of…panic, was it? She looked up at the glistening sliver of moon, standing high and proud, victorious in chasing the sun down.

What is wrong with me? She thought, closing her eyes. When Colette had suggested an example for the subject of our discussion, I had already been thinking of Lloyd. But not being in his company anymore? I hadn't thought of that.

Presea opened her eyes suddenly, feeling that same sensation of alarm. What will happen when the journey is over? And why is it bothering me so much? Lloyd…

"Does the company of your companions offend you so much that you have to take frequent trips away from the camp?"

The gently chiding voice took Presea by surprise; she glanced in its direction to see Professor Raine stood beside the closest Rheaird, two steaming mugs in hand. Presea shook her head. "It is not that," she said, "I wanted to make sure our transport was secure for the night."

"Nonsense" Raine walked up to Presea and handed over one of the mugs, "Coffee. You know as well as I that you have been checking the Rhiards far more than necessary."

Presea took the proffered mug, noting how the warmth from it flowed into her through her hands. She hadn't realised she was so cold. "Thank you. It seemed appropriate to take precautions that our only transport was secure."

Raine raised an eyebrow "but every twenty minutes?"

Presea met the Professor's eyes; "You exaggerate. I verified that they were secure every thirty minutes. Precisely."

The half-elf smiled, "Oh Presea, if only Lloyd shared your ardour for work." She took a sip of the coffee. "But you know, you'll bring yourself into ill health if you keep it up."

"I understand, but…" the pink haired girl paused, "No. Nevermind. Thank you for your concern Raine, I shall note your advice."

The wind had certainly picked up now, blowing small drifts of unsettled snow around the billowing canvases on the Rhiards. Raine nodded,

"Good, then come back to the camp and get yourself warmed up. The Rhiards look like they will be fine for tonight."

The smoke, tinted orange from the glow of the fire contrasted awkwardly with the deep blue of the near twilight sky. The fire itself, responsible for the elongated shadows of every object nearby crackled and spluttered in protest against the aggressive wind. Presea and Raine took a seat on another log close to the conflagration. In the distance, Lloyd, Genis and Colette were still applying layers of snow to the already large base of the planned snowman.

"They have made little progress," noted Presea.

Raine looked over. "Oh, the snowman. No…it will take some time yet for that to be completed. I know from experience."

"I…I do not understand the purpose of building a…snowman."

The half-elf looked at her companion, "What do you mean?"

"It is a fruitless activity," said Presea; "The time spent making it is by far greater than the estimated lifespan of the finished structure. It is…not an economic way to spend your time." Like life, she thought, we spend so much time making something that lasts as long as we do. Our life spans must seem as short as the snowman when the passage of time is considered.

"I see…" Raine paused, watching Lloyd's group finish rolling the base of the snowman. "But don't you think its important to do something entertaining every now and then, no matter how long the finished result lasts?"

"Colette said something similar." Presea took a sip from the cooling mug. "She invited me to help in its construction."

"And why didn't you?"

Presea watched the trio push the planned snowman head back and forth across the hill until it was an obscene size. "I have had no experience in the construction of snowmen. I would only be a burden."

The Professor tutted, "It's the participation that counts Presea. You can only acquire experience in something if you attempt to do it."

"In these conditions, participating will mean about a 50 chance of catching a chill or other cold related illness."

Raine laughed into her mug, "Well, at least that leaves a 50 chance that you won't. Honestly Presea, you sound as though you're making excuses."

"Ah…" Presea felt that inexplicable heat rise again in her cheeks. "…I am not providing an excuse. Catching a chill would not be beneficial for travelling and combat." Was that really all though, she asked herself.

Raine shrugged, smiling to herself. "As you say."

Lloyd had positioned himself precariously on the edge of the snowman base, balancing as Colette and Genis passed up the mound for the head.

"A bit higher Genis! Can't you reach up any more than that?"

"I'm on tip-toes already! You know Lloyd, you could always try moving yourself."

"Hey! I've got an idea" Colette's voice could barely be heard over the bickering.

Even in the gloomy twilight moonshine, the shimmering from her expanded wings contested the campfire for brightness. Carrying herself slowly upwards, Colette held the snowball head while Genis supported it from underneath. Stretching outwards, Lloyd managed to grasp the head well enough to be able to roll it backward into position on the base. However, as he moved towards the edge of the base, the snow weakened and Lloyd's foot slipped through. With a shout of dismay he fell backwards, accidentally dislodging the snowman's head in his descent. Colette's squeak of alarm could be heard as the head rolled forwards onto her, sending her crashing to the snowy floor. By the sound of the laughing, only Genis had emerged unscathed.

"Haha, Lloyd what were you doing? That was pathetic."

"Ha ha" The young swordsman's laugh dripped with sarcasm. "How about just giving me a hand up?"

Raine smiled as Genis disappeared behind the snowman's base to give his friend a hand. "Genis…still so naïve."

The young half-elf's voice could be heard from the hill, "Ah! No, Lloyd don't. No!" A blur of movement signalled his flight as Genis emerged over the peak, his legs moving slightly too fast for the rest of him to keep up with. Behind him, Lloyd gave pursuit, a large snowball in hand and hurling almost friendly insults at his friend.

"Raine! Presea! Help- " Genis' plea was cut off as the snowball flew with unnerving accuracy into the back of his head. With a cry, the half-elf fell face first into the snow, tumbling down the remainder of the hill.

Lloyd continued the hunt, pausing where a groggy Genis was trying to get to his feet, and pushed more snow over his friend. "No mercy!" he shouted out with youthful glee.

Presea found herself smiling at the scene, and at Lloyd's seemingly boundless energy and good spirits.

"Kids…" Remarked Raine cheerfully, studying Presea's face. "That's a rare sight," she added.

"Ah…the scene amused me," replied Presea, staring down into her empty mug.

"Yes…It's one of Lloyds many finer points. Making people laugh and smile." She spoke the last part almost as an afterthought.

"Yes." Presea mumbled, feeling like she'd had this conversation before.

Colette had emerged from the snow, and was flying down at a low height, snowballs in either hand, towards Lloyd.

"Here it comes," she giggled, throwing them at her friend. Lloyd backed off, but was tripped up by a snow covered Genis, eager for revenge.

Raine laughed. "Ouch, I bet that hurt." She took a sidelong glance at Presea. "He looks a bit outnumbered out there don't you think? Maybe he could use a hand." The half-elf noted Presea's blush.

"No…it would be inappropriate for me to intervene. They are all…close friends. I…am not." Just saying the words made her feel downcast, but they were true after all. The Professor didn't seem to respond, merely looking on at the scene.

"We are all friends," she remarked. "As travelling companions, we all have strong bonds to each other. We need to." Raine nodded to the snowball fight. "I'm sure you would be most welcome."

"Friends..." Presea tried the word out, liking its sound. She thought back to her earlier conversation with Colette. 'Or if come tomorrow, you were no longer in his company?'

"Maybe…maybe I should offer my services," she said, putting down her mug. "My presence will at least create equal numbers, if nothing else."

"Exactly." Raine smiled, then looked serious. "You know Presea, those three…whenever I see them together, I don't really see them as close friends – more like a family, you know?"

Presea frowned, "a family?" The concept seemed unusual.

The Professor nodded; "Yes. Haven't you noticed? Lloyd and Genis always seem like protective brothers to Colette, who seems to enjoy being in the sisterly role. They share a love like a family of siblings would."

Brothers and sister? Presea was feeling that giddy warmth again, and she couldn't decide if she liked it or not. What was it? She wondered. It felt almost like relief, but also like …nervousness.

"I…why are you telling me this?" She asked.

Raine waved a dismissive hand. "No reason. Just thought you'd like to know. Sometimes we adults like to ramble and dress it up as advice."

Presea looked down at her feet. "I…forgive me, everything seems complicated at present."

Raine nodded sympathetically, "Yes, life can be that way sometimes."

The small girl tried a smile. "Thank you. I shall go and give support to Lloyd in combat." She stood up and started walking over to the site of battle before pausing and looking back.

"Raine, you…you will not mention this to anyone will you?" She stood there awkwardly, wondering why she wanted the conversation a kept secret, and feeling very childish.

The half-elf nodded with an encouraging smile. "You have my word Presea, now go enjoy yourself."

"Thank you again."

Presea turned and made her way over to Lloyd, Genis and Colette, stopping only to roll a rather large snowball.

Raine laughed quietly to herself at its size. "Oh dear. That's going to hurt."

Reaching the peak of the hill without being detected, Presea hurled the snowball, finding Genis with very little effort. It hit the young half-elf in the back, sending him tumbling forwards for the second time that night.

Lloyd gaped as he picked himself off the ground. "Woah, overkill! Way to go Presea!"

Presea nodded, "The odds looked against you, I thought you could do with some support."

Colette laughed, "Hooray, a team battle!"

Lloyd leapt to his feet, grinning widely. "All right! Presea, you're so on my side!"

Presea blushed and disguised it by ducking down to roll up another snowball. For some reason things were starting to seem somewhat less complicated. "Affirmative."

Genis groaned from his floored position, "No fair Lloyd!"

Raine watched the four companions launching snowballs at each other while she finished her coffee. Setting her mug down to the ground, she closed her eyes. "Oh Lloyd, don't take too long to notice how she feels."

The early morning sun was surprisingly warming given the climate, as Regal stepped out of his shared tent into the busy campsite.

"Good morning," he said, watching Sheena and Raine carrying supplies over towards the Rheairds. "I trust we are moving out then?"

"We are at some point, only it's going to be a while yet," replied the Professor, shifting the weight of a backpack onto her other shoulder. "It's only Sheena, Zelos and myself who are packing up currently.

Regal looked perplexed. "Why? Are Lloyd and the others performing some other task?"

"Huh," Sheena sighed, jerking a thumb behind her, "No, those guys are being oh so useful over there."

Regal looked behind him to see Lloyd, Genis, Colette and Presea sat shivering and sneezing around the receding flames of the campfire, wrapped in blankets and each holding a mug of coffee. He walked over to them, the disapproval on his face as clear as the early morning air.

"Hmph. I am disappointed. You should not be shirking off your duties simply because you were irresponsible with regards to your own health."

Lloyd choked on his drink. "Why are you only addressing me?" he demanded, then sneezed. "Anyway, Presea said there was only a 50 chance of catching a cold."

Presea looked into her mug to avoid all the eyes that were now turned on her. "Approximately," she said at last, and then smiled. "Maybe I miscalculated."