February 28th, 1894 — Beast Boutique
Maddie sat by the window of her cozy apartment above her shop. She didn't normally stay in the apartment, Cane was happily ensconced in the residence normally but the snow had kept him trapped at the library. She was grateful for it tonight when the snow was too thick and dangerous to even attempt to make it back to her parents. The fluu wasn't working and she had settled in to wait out the snow. She was tucked into the upstairs window, looking down at the street below, a warm cup of tea cradled in her hands as she observed the snowflakes dancing in the dark evening sky. The air was heavy with the promise of an even thicker blanket of snow, and the world outside seemed to be hushed in anticipation. The glow from the street lamps reflected off the swirling flakes, creating a magical, winter wonderland.
As she gazed into the night, a figure emerged, barely visible through the veil of falling snow. Maddie's eyebrows furrowed with concern as she recognized the struggles of someone trudging through the accumulating snow. Instinctively, she rose from her seat, the tea forgotten on the windowsill, and descending the stairs to the front door of the shop.
The wind howled as she tugged at the handle, the door resisting against the weight of the snow. With a final, forceful push, Maddie managed to swing it open. The cold air rushed in, carrying with it the scent of winter. Squinting against the snowflakes, she called out to the person battling the elements. "Hello there! Do you want to come in, you can't be out in this!" Maddie's voice cut through the wintry silence, offering a warm invitation. She stepped onto the threshold, her breath visible in the frigid air, and extended her hand towards the struggling figure, her golden blonde hair catching stray snowflakes.
![[Image: axFsLGd.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/axFsLGd.jpeg)