Several loud knocks rose from the door of the Almshouse, startling Elizabeth who had been scribbling away on a parchment, planning lessons for the coming days of her school. A moment of peace went by before a familiar voice called in, "Lizzy?" The young noblewoman rose from her seat and scrambled down the stairs, peering around the counter at the bottom of the steps to spot the grinning face of her best friend.
"Juli!" She exclaimed, rounding the counter and pulling the Ithanian into an affectionate hug with drew a laugh from her friend.
"Dearest Liz, what are you doing all cooped up here? I've looked all over for you and found not a sign of you anywhere- no one has seen you yet all day," Juliette said, pulling back a bit from the embrace to look at the younger noble. Elizabeth paused, perhaps thinking over a response, before shaking her head and glancing down.
"Oh, I've been much too busy to go out- I've got so much to plan and-" A scoff from her purple-clad best friend cut off Liz, who turned a bit red as she knew her fib had been caught- perhaps not truly a fib, but an excuse of all things.
"You're a young lady! You should be despising much work, not seeking it out to escape the world, dear Liz." The Wodenstaff shook her head before going to take the younger's hand and grin at her. "Come on, it's beautiful out. The snow might be a terrible thing in my opinion, but Winter does give us so much choice for holiday treats." The woman's statement brought a laugh from Elizabeth, who then hesitated before nodding. Juliette's expression brightened up significantly and she locked arms with the Black.
"But only for a little bit!" Elizabeth added suddenly as they set off into the snow of the Regalian streets. Julie laughed happily and nodded at her best friend.
"Of course, only for a little bit." The two made their way, arm-in-arm, through the snow. Elizabeth, who since the end of her courtship had fallen so far into isolation, and Juliette, her dearest best friend who had suffered so much mentally in the past few years, both wore chipper expressions as they felt themselves no longer feeling like a piece of them were missing.
No, the missing piece of both of them had been returned, and the closest of friends were a warmth that defeated the Winter cold.
