[attr="class","castleonthehill"]


The view out the window was but a distraction, the concept of time such a silly, frivolous thing in the lunar city. One would have thought that the notion of seasons and climate would have been something that could have been done away with after two centuries of disconnection, but there were things that they simply clung onto.

He supposed it was fitting, the chill that ran deep into his bones, the puffer fur-lined jacket that felt like a blanket draped over his shoulders, and the shades of gray and fog that coated the city.

Everything was settled, right then and there. The swipe of the pen over the last piece of paper signed it all away. A liberation or an exile, he wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. All he knew was that the moment that he put the pen down, it was as if hell had frozen over; as if something was severed.

"We'll get ready for the seasonal promotions and the new year. Enjoy this last month and we'll get your recordings done. Do we want to rush—"

"It's alright. I'm in no rush to release it. It's probably better that way," he said, waving his hand as he picked up his peppermint mocha, the warmth of the cardboard reaching the palm of his hand. "Am I free for the rest of the day now?"

A nod and a motion toward the door. Taking his scarf from the back of the chair, he threw it over his shoulder, wrapping himself ear to ear as he walked toward the elevator, descending the building to the city streets below.

An exhale out, he could see his breath. He wished that he hadn't foregone the gloves today. The peppermint mocha would only last him so long.

He crossed the street when the light flashed green, made his way down the block, until he reached the park. A green speck among this sea of greys, the sound of laughter and the twinkling strings of lights seemed to spark some light in his downcast emerald eyes. The scratch of skates on ice, the jingling of silver bells, and the warm smell of mulled spiced wine reminded him of the season.

Standing in front of the decorated tree that stood proudly at the center of the park, he looked up at the twinkling star, gazed upon it as if he could make a wish now.

It would remain silent for now, only loud enough for his heart to hear.