While we were waiting for our train, I got the chance to enjoy my first snowfall. It was a far cry from the fire and ash of Crucible. And oh, so much more lovely. It’s strangely comfy, to feel, to smell, to see, even to hear as the wind blows it about. There’s a little snowflake in the palm of my hand, but it melts before I can really enjoy it. Just as well, the mag-train has just glided into the station.

  “Nova, you're going to love Fridrheim,” Erika said as we boarded.

  “I’m sure I will,” I said nervously. Why did Dr. Samson make me so human-like as to experience anxiety? No, that isn’t fair to him, as he said so himself. ‘Everything in nature has at least one design flaw that science can’t get rid of.’

  “Downtown has some cool stores. Like the bookstore, ever held a physical book before?” Jeremiah added.

  I immediately lit up. “No, I haven’t. I’ve only ever had data uploaded into my neural matrix. Worlds like Crucible… well, books like that are a rare luxury.”

  “Makes sense, volcano worlds are barren places. Folks probably live in domes there.” Richard commented.

  “That’s… partly true. There are habitation domes. But those are for the executives of Crucible Interplanetary Developments. ‘Employees’ on the other hand.” I wanted to say they were housed in poorly ventilated modular pods, and that they were little more than slaves unless they proved some sort of value to the board of directors, among other things. But I just know that instead of the truth, I’d probably spout pre-programmed CID propaganda. Then they’d probably think I was some corporate drone sent here on false pretences, or something worse!

  “We have just cleared Angmar City limits, if you look to the right of your cabin. You’ll see the Star-Mirror Sea.” I looked and saw a frozen sea stretching to the horizon. And looking out at that, my anxieties seemed to melt away as I looked out on a vast sheet of glittering glass, under a clear blue sky.

  I also realize that I had never seen a clear sky before… just smog and heatshimmers. And the evergreen forests seemed to stretch on into infinity, coated in snow and ice. Nothing at all like the holo-simulations on Crucible.

  All that did was prepare me for slipping, falling, and other arctic conditions. The doctor was insistent that I come to Winterhearth prepared. But nothing in the simulations could’ve prepared me for the wonder, and the awe, and the crazed penguin.

  “If you look to your left, you can see Mt. Beowulf, the tallest mountain on the planet, and the seventh tallest in the entire sector.” And mountains… even if the Fenixes are the only people on the entire planet to accept me. I don’t think I could ever hate this planet.

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  “So, Nova, what were you saying?” Richard asked when we were out of view of Mt. Beowulf.

  “So… you understand what you're getting into, right?” I asked Richard and Erika.

  “Yes, we know. We’ll see your supervisor on Saturdays, and we’ll get you checked out by a reputable mechanic tomorrow.” Erika said.

  “What’re they talking about?” Jeremiah whispered to Lily, thinking I couldn’t hear.

  “Some kind of corporate thing, she mentioned something about a probation in the clothing store,” Lily replied in the same, almost inaudible whisper.

  Robotic hearing, perfect for picking up hushed conversations. Terrible for penguins who sound like monsters of legend.

  “So, I’d like to get to know you.” Probably shouldn’t have been that forward, but I feel like this ride might take longer than expected. My experiences just getting to Winterhearth are proof enough… especially since I didn’t have anyone to talk to on the voyage.

  “Well, I’m a structural engineer.” Richard began. “I design bridges, rails, and make sure they don’t collapse from snow buildup.”

  “And he collects model trains. Half the basement is a train museum.” Jeremiah quipped.

  “Another word against dads trains, you’ll get a snowball right in the kisser when we get home.” Lily threatened, and I have to admit, it was a cute threat.

  “And I’m a school counselor at Fridrheim High. I just try to help kids understand their feelings, friendships, and stress. Though two students have been avoiding me.” Erika glared at Jeremiah and Lily. At least there I’ll have them, assuming I can get Jeremiah to open up.

  “Me next! Me next!” If she tries to drag me by the wrist again, I’ll scream. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen; she sings about her interests to the tune of the ancient Mexican Hat Dance. Though from what I’ve surmised, it’s probably a version from an animated series or something.

  “I like ice skating, drawing, and making pastries-” this went on for at least five minutes. So it didn’t last an entire hour as I feared.

  “What about you, Jeremiah?” I asked, he looked at me with the sort of ‘vacant bad boy glare’ that my database told me meant he was thinking it over.

  “Tinkering, models, old tech nobody wants,” Jeremiah said.

  “That sounds neat… and what do you think of me?” Admittedly, I probably shouldn’t have asked such a loaded question, but I was dying to know.

  “That’s… tricky. We put adoptin’ a robot to a vote. I was the only one against.” My heart sank. “I’m not used to new people… but you're nice. And honestly, I might like having another sister around.” Take the compliment, and don’t press any further, Nova.

  Another thirty minutes passed before we arrived in Fridrheim. And I got a good look at my new hometown. It reminds me of one of my most cherished memories with Dr. Samson.

  It was the first and only Christmas I got to celebrate with him. His lab was sparsely decorated with an artificial tree, fake snow, and a few old Christmas decorations from his childhood. He gave me a heart-shaped necklace with a holographic recording of the day I was first activated. Then we watched ancient Christmas movies all day long and fell asleep on that worn-out coach he kept. Despite my repeated insistence that it was a diseased wreck.

  It was the first time I ever cried with joy, and this town… It’s perhaps what he wanted me to experience that day. A place that seemed to be a rebellion against the rush of industry and all that entails. “Are you okay, Nova?” Lily asked.

  “Just… just deep in thought. Which way home?” I asked, pretending to be composed.

  “Walking distance. Through downtown,” Jeremiah said laconically.

  “How long a walk?”

  “Long enough to check out some of the stores.”