Kayla and Ray watched as the Sisters ate over twice as much as they did.

They even put powdered snow into their bowls of soup, just as they usually did with every warm dish.

And after another few minutes, everyone had finished.

“Thanks for the meal.” Everyone said, placing their hands together and shutting their eyes briefly.

“Now, if I may,” Luna announced as she stood from her seat. “I have an announcement to make.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty,” Kayla said, raising her hand. “But is this about your plans to create housing?”

The Sisters remained silent as Luna looked at her with slight confusion.

“Uh, yes, that is correct.”

“Forgive me, but I think we shouldn’t move forward with that plan.”

“Why not?” Luna tilted her head, her hands resting on the table. “We have enough materials, and as for wood, it’s all around us.”

“We shouldn’t cut down the trees just yet.” 

“Not to mention the noise it’ll make, too.” Ray intruded into the conversation, his hand fidgeting with the spoon. 

“Everyone,” Neoma demanded, her mild expression sending a shiver down everyone’s spine. “Why don’t we just settle this with a vote?”

“Yes, I agree.” Luna leaned forward, her wings lightly flapping. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

Almost everyone glanced at her with a sorrowful gaze, half of them slowly looking away.

A second of silence followed. 

“Okay,” Neoma said, opening her palm in an instructive manner. “All those who are in favor of building houses, please raise your hands.”

Luna’s hand reached for the sky in a flash, her eyes darting between everyone else.

No other hands were raised.

Luna’s wings flopped, her smile slowly vanishing.

“Wait, what?”

“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” Neoma gently put her hand over hers, her expression cut between relief and guilt. “But it seems that it’s been decided.”

“Not even one of you?” Luna slowly looked from one side to the other, her expression a little wistful. 

“Please don’t be mad at us.” A few Sisters from the side whispered, reluctantly staying in their seats.

“No,” She sighed as she withdrew her hands, taking a deep breath. “It’s fine, really.”

“Are you sure?” Neoma asked with growing pity, her gaze locked onto her gentle face.

“I just wanted them to feel more at home.” She replied as she glanced at Kayla and Ray, her breath beginning to falter.

“We’ll be fine, Your Majesty.” Kayla tried to reassure her, adding a gentle nod afterward.

Luna let her head slam against the table, her hands pressing it down further.

Two jagged masses of ice formed upon her back, each stretching outward and taking shape.

Every Sister rushed over to her, knocking over some chairs in the process, and gathered around her like an important gathering.

“Another Sister?” Neoma jumped, tearing the tablecloth. “At this time?”

“Sisters, actually.” Luna groaned, huffing as her hands clawed into the table. “Plural!”

Another Sister lunged towards the table and grabbed the other half of the cloth, raising it over Luna’s back alongside Neoma.

“That’s a first,” Neoma commented, watching as the mass finished transforming.

The two newborn Sisters grabbed the rags and wrapped themselves with them, using the back of the seat as support. 

Each put one foot out, pressing it against the soft snow, their other feet still merged with Luna’s back.

“Faster, please!” Luna shouted, curling up further in discomfort. “Cmon, get out!”

The two newborns frantically glanced around, reaching for their nearby family for assistance. 

After a few seconds of pulling, the two managed to break free of their host.

Luna cried out in pain, her whole body quivering.

The leftover mana swayed towards the twins' side as they landed on the ground.

The chair broke under the pressure, leaving Luna lying down on broken chunks of wood.

“We’re really sorry, Mom, er–Your Majesty.” The twins murmured, their expressions resembling those of sad actresses.

“It’s okay, Lucia and Luisa. Please go into my igloo for the time being.”

Half of the Sisters gently pressed against them, rubbing their cheeks and shoulders, a few patting them on their heads, and another few guiding them to the designated area. 

The ruckus began to calm down, the breeze turning gentler. 

Neoma extended her hand, helping Luna get up. 

“Does anything still hurt?” She looked up and down, in the front and back, in search of any leftover ice. 

“No,” Luna caught her breath, taking a seat on the table. “I think I’m good.”

She let out a sigh of relief as the nearby Sisters fixed her dress, covering her back.

“Are you a hundred percent sure?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but you should really pay more attention to your Sisters.” Luna scolded her as she looked at her igloo, her eyes fixed on the beautiful sight.

Her Sisters smiled and laughed as they went in and out.

It wasn’t long until Luna shed a tear, her legs swinging happily.

“Before that,” Neoma scoffed playfully, crossing her arms. “I wanted to let you tell you why the houses–”

“It’s fine.” She interrupted her without a second thought, as if she didn’t want to divide her attention. “I understand now’s not the time.”

“I see.” Neoma nodded before taking a peek at the thick forest. “I’m glad you’re on the same page as us.”

“I’m sure you all have a reason.” She slowly turned to where Kayla and Ray sat, noticing they had already returned to the storage hut. “But I must admit it still hurts a little.”

“All we need is time.”

“Yeah, I’ve come to realize that.” She sluggishly returned her attention to the igloo, her legs returning to a still stance. “It’s just that I’ve got this feeling we don’t have that luxury of waiting.”

“I’m sure we’ll be okay.” 

“I hope so.” 

Her smile returned, accompanied by a light chuckle.

Luna took one more deep breath before hopping off the table.

Her feet trailed through the snow, arms swinging with confidence.

She grew taller.

Her hair got longer.

The settlement got larger.

The population grew thicker.

A year had passed by quicker than they had imagined. 

Many houses were laid out in a circle around the center, each near a tree, with glaciers not too far away.

A few more campfires and huts were scattered evenly across, ensuring the humans had enough space to warm up.

Luna swung the curtains aside with a grin, her valiant cape swaying with the wind.

“Neoma,” She cheered, taking a second to acknowledge how much bigger her igloo got. “How are the plans for the next village coming along?”

“We should be able to begin constructing the second village by next week.” Neoma glanced through the papers on her clipboard, her attire similar to her own. “Are the medical and resource departments prepared too?”

“They said they’ll be done by tomorrow.” 

“Noted. Okay, thanks.”

“Wow,” Luna chuckled. “This day can’t get any better, can it?”

“I’m afraid not.”