It was a beautiful Sunday morning, for many reasons. Despite the unnatural winter, it was a nice day. It was cloudy, but bright, and not snowing or windy. Best of all, there was no school on Sundays. The abandoned, slightly run down, farm house and barn were quaint and only a little creepy in this lighting. The fencing was old, the wire rusting and the wooden posts deteriorating from either weather or bugs. Like everywhere else, all the plant life was dead and there were no signs of any other life, either.

Amarissa had found this little place a little ways outside the main city. She had gotten up that morning and decided she needed a day away from the city, all the craziness of school, and the weird new life that had found her. So, she had packed a bit of a picnic lunch almost. Finding an old basket that she could carry on her bike, Amarissa had loaded it with two ham and cheese sandwiches, two bottles of water, a large bag of cheetos, and some chocolate chip cookies her mom made the night before. She also put her drawing pad in with some colored markers, a pencil and sharpener, and a can of red spray paint. Strapping her quiver around her waist and securing her bow on her back, she had set off on her bike.

That had been around 8:30 am. It had taken her the better part of an hour just to bike to the outskirts of town and another 30 minutes or so before she stumbled on the small farm. It had been worth it though, she felt much better and more awake after the long ride. Amarissa poked around the yard a bit before finding an old metal pole out back. It looked like it used to be a water spout of sorts, but now it would make the perfect place to lock her bike. Even in this seemingly deserted area, you could never be too careful.

She had left most everything in the basket, except the red spray paint. It was the kind that washed off and had less chemicals, making it safe to use on trees. Which is exactly what she had done with it, using it to make targets on some trees behind the barn. Amarissa intended to spend most of the day out here, alternating between practicing her archery and drawing the scenery.

Half an hour later, after having put a few holes in her 'targets' and collecting her arrows, she had settled down on a stump in front of the house and barn. Amarissa hummed lightly to herself as she worked, sketching the shapes of the farm, fencing, trees and other details with her pencil. The basket and her archery stuff rested on the ground by her right foot, one bottle of water poking out in obvious use. The bag of cheetos was also open, and she occasionally wiped her hand on the paint stained apron she wearing over her long sleeved pink shirt and faded blue jeans. The hiking boots peaking under the hems kept time with whatever song Amarissa was singing, her voice clear and the tones a perfect, bell like soprano.

Sophia continues to bicycle around aimlessly for next while. She doesn’t have any plans. For some reason, she expects to run into some evil monster, but nothing of the sort happens. Life is relatively idyllic this morning. She wonders how superheroes always manage to find the bad guys though. She eventually leaves the busy streets of Tokyo. Not on purpose since she only realizes this about 20 minutes outside of the city. She stops in a shop for some food and water, before continuing on in unknown directions.

However, before she decides to head home and spend the rest of the day indoors, she hears a singing voice. She doesn’t recognize the voice, but she recognizes the song. She joins in with her lower mezzo-soprano voice, providing some background vocals for the mystery singer. Hers is a little huskier, giving a rather strong contrast the singer’s clear voice. She rides along fairly slowly toward the singing.

The abandoned farm house is beautiful sight while it is covered in snow. When she sees the mystery singer, she waves at the platinum haired girl. “Good morning,” she says cheerfully.

Amarissa started at the sound of another voice, abruptly cutting off and jumping up to spin around. Surprisingly, she didn't knock over her basket or drop her drawing pad. Opting instead, to set it down on the stump. It briefly occurred to her to reach for her bow, but logic said something attacking her wouldn't be singing harmony.

She was surprised there was anyone else out here, and it showed in her face as she looked at the other girl. The words 'mousy' and 'cute' came to mind, and she gave the girl a shy smile. "Good morning," she returned quietly, "What brings you out this way?" After a moment's pause to remember her manners, she offers hand and quietly introduces herself. "I'm Amarissa, by the way."

Sophia sets the bicycle up against the barn and walks up to shake Amarissa’s hand, “My name is Sophia. I am mostly out because it is clear enough to actually ride today.” She looks at the farm house, “But I don’t think I have ever been out this way before on the times I have left Tokyo.”

She points to Amarissa’s sketches, “I am guessing you came out to here to draw the barn? The scene does look like it came straight out of a photo.”

“However, I am sorry if I am disturbing you by cycling up and singing along. I just knew the tune. However, I will admit that it is a little higher than my range. You have a good voice by the way.”

"Well, that is understandable. It is a very nice day, for this weather, and my own bike is locked to a pole out back," Amarissa pointed off behind the house then nodded at Sophia's next guess. "That's half of it, anyway. I mostly came to just relax, it's been a long week at school. I didn't know this place was here either, but it's perfect for the materials I brought. See?" She picked up her drawing pad and held it out to the other girl. Most of it was sketchy and vague, but the house was complete and looked like a perfect, grey toned, replica.

"I was practicing archery earlier or it would've been finished by now," Amarissa said, with a somewhat apologetic tone, "And thanks, I don't sing often." she added, laughing. Her stomach rumbled and she guessed it was about lunch time. "Hey, Sophia, are you hungry? I packed a lunch, but I brought extra just in case I stayed longer. You can have some, if you want. We can share." She offered.

Sophia looks at the sketch, “Impressive. I wish I had a talent for drawing, but sadly I do not. It is pretty relaxing out here though. Not nearly as much noise as back in the city.” She looks up at the sky, “And it looks like it will stay nice for a while so no rush to get back home. However, it almost makes me wish that I came out here at night instead. I bet you could see all the stars out here.”

Sophia hadn’t really thought too much about food, but had noticed the pangs of hunger since Amarissa called attention to it. “I will admit that I am a little hungry. Thank you for the offer.”

She looks back at the sketch, “Do you take any art classes or are you part of any arts program? You are certainly good enough to get admitted into something like that.”

Amarissa grinned at the compliments, then nodded. "Yes, it is very nice out here. Quiet. Peaceful. It would be amazing at night, without the glare from the lights," she agreed as she took out the two sandwiches, the other bottle of water, and the cookies. She offered a sandwich and the unopened bottle to Sophia, setting the bag of cookies next to the open bag of cheetos. "You can help yourself to the cookies and cheetos. There's plenty of both," she explained.

Chewing on a bite of sandwich, Amarissa nodded in answer to Sophia's question. "Yes," she said, after her mouth wasn't full, "I entered the Art Progam at the high school, and sometimes I sell my work." She paused, then decided to ask Sophia some things. "So what do you do for fun? Are you in any special programs?"

Sophia takes the water first. She hardly realized how thirsty she was until it was offered. She nearly downs half of it. “Thank you again.” As she caps the water, she answers Amarissa’s question, “I tried out for the arts program last week. Hopefully, I’ll see you there next week. However, I did it more for acting, singing, dancing. I typically do those things when I am not out and about. I also try to pick up some new languages when I have time.”

“That must be cool to be able to sell your work. To have others appreciate so much that they will bring it into their homes…” she muses before taking a bite of the sandwich. “So you know how to use a bow? Do you do contests?” she asks. She was a little curious about that having witnessed two of Amarissa’s talents already.

Amarissa smiled at Sophia. "Ahh. You're into the Drama Arts. That takes talent. Your singing is very nice, so I'm certain that you'll have no problems. Perhaps we will see each other, at the very least I'm sure we could have lunch," she laughed as she finished off her sandwich.

Picking up her drawing pad, she placed it in the basket with her other materials then nodded absently at Sophia. "I suppose. It's just something I love to do, I don't really care what others think about it. Don't misunderstand me though. I am happy when someone buys my work or compliments me. That's just not why I do it," she explained.

Surprise lit her face at the questions about her archery and then she laughed. "Ah, yes. I started working with archery at a young age as a way to, um, work out stress, if you will. Biking also helps, but not as much. I don't do contests though. Recreational purposes only, really," Amarissa finished, pointing out the targets on the trees in example.

Feeling as if they were talking too much about her, she changed the subject. "What do you do for fun or stress relief? Just theatre arts?" she asked.

“Well, let see. Wondering the city is fun sometimes. I spend time in Shibuya just looking at things occasionally. I am working on my German and Hindi.” She switches to German without a pause, “I have good pronunciation, but am still working on expanding my vocabulary.” Then she switches to Hindi, “But here it is the opposite.” She laughs to herself a bit and goes back to Japanese, “I want to be able to speak to everyone and anyone. An impossible task, but still. I grew up speaking English with some Spanish from time to time. Then I taught myself French.”

“I do beadwork sometimes. I made all my earrings myself. A few bracelets, necklaces, headbands, and hairclips as well.” She takes out the ones she has in her ears to show her. They weren’t terribly large, mostly because the beads were tiny. A few strands of small purple beads seem to come out of the starting point, twist around each other, and then recombine to a single strange from which a more ornate purple bead hung. “I have better ones than these though.”

“Though, I do spend a lot of time watching and re-watching movies. For some of them, I memorized the whole script. And I have accumulated a pretty big film collection at my house. A lot of dramas, comedies, and musicals. Some action and science fiction too." Her closet had quite a few boxes of her favorites, for which there seemed to be many.

Amarissa watched Sophia carefully as she talked. Her face changing from simple interest, to surprise, and impressed as the girl described all the things should could do and had. "That's so awesome! I only speak Japanese and I'm not handy with crafts at all. So that's really impressive, I think. Your movie collection sounds extensive and it's great that you have so many things you like to do that can be shared with others." She said as she examined the bead work, then carefully returned it.

"I have some movies, but I share them with my mom of course," Amarissa admitted, laughing. She began to slowly pack up the trash and her art supplies as the sky darkened. "It looks like it's going to snow again. That's disappointing. I'm so tired of this unnatural winter. We need to do everything we can to help stop it," she said, the last sentence somewhat muttered to herself.

“Thank you. Once you learn one, it is a little easier to learn a second and so on. And the craft stuff was something my mom taught me when I was little,” Sophia replied. She places the earrings back in, and then returns to finishing her food.

At the mention of snow, Sophia looks back at the sky. “And here I was hoping that it would stay a nice day. Let’s hope that it will stay back until we get back into the city.” Amarissa’s last few words remind of her what Prime Minister Adoji Ito said earlier in the day. “All winters make their way to spring eventually. This one is just taking a little longer, but will probably be the most beautiful that anyone’s seen in a long time,” she says, optimistically. Besides, it was what Sophia saw as her mission anyways.


As Sophia gets up off the ground, she asks, “Do you need any help packing up everything or bringing it back home? I don’t have much to do today, and you brought a lot out here.” And Sophia knew partly from experience that moving a lot of things via bike during a snowstorm was somewhat of a hassle.