[ as a matter of fact, he's never actually been out in the snow before this - he's seen it on the tops of mountains, sure, and cast by mages on occasion, but his time was spent entirely in the temperate grasslands of Leyndell and the marshes of Liurnia before he got shipped off to war. This is... novel! He's squinting up at the frosted trees in bemusement.

Sadly, Messmer won't let Odile handle his snakes - he helps them put the little sleeves on themselves, although their effectiveness is somewhat limited. They seem happier to just stay snuggled up very close to Messmer himself, and for good reason: ]

I feel it not. Flame hath made a home in my blood since I were born - a curse, yet here doth it serve me well enough.

[ he's been a fire wizard the whole time and just never mentioned it... although she got to see him burn part of the walkway before. ]