Array of Tales (Michaeng)

STUCK 3

Chaeyoung held up her hands innocently as she got to her feet. "I didn't say anything. You're the one who suggested we huddle for warmth."

"There will be no huddling!" Mina wag an authoritative finger at her as they walk over to the bed. "This is simply a matter of necessity. Two bodies together in the bed will produce more heat than if we slept separately. This is science got it?" She explains

"I've heard a lot of excuses for getting a person into bed over the years but science is a new one." Chaeyoung jokes and chuckles

"Just shut up and help me move this thing." Together, they tried to lift the bed

Chaeyoung sighs, mentally calculating how much the queen-sized mattress would weigh. "Alright, so we'll just have to move the mattress then. Can you lift that much?"

"I can carry a hundred pounds of gear through the snow. I think I can handle a mattress." Mina scans the room before walking over to the armchair and shoving it to the wall. "We just need to clear a path first."

They move a few things out of the way and drag the plush mattress as close to the fire as they dared. Tossing all the blankets and pillows they could find on top of it.

"We should figure something out for dinner." Mins suggest

"Cereal is fine with me." Chaeyoung replies and Mina raises a brow a brow judgmentally "What? I'm a scientist, not a chef." Chaeyoung shrugs

Rolling her eyes, Mina set about cooking a sparse meal of bacon, smoked fish and creamed corn with oyster crackers. It was completely dark by the time she finished cooking over the fire.

Chaeyoung had a couple of gas lanterns but they didn't provide much light. Mina hands her a plate and settles on one side of the bed legs tuck beneath her.

"It's not exactly the Four Seasons, but it'll do. Is this really all you live on when you're on assignment? Cereal and smoked fish?" Mina criticize

"Well, what do you have in your cabin?" Chaeyoung asked conversationally as she bit into a piece of crispy bacon.

"More than this I mean I'm not saying I cook myself seven-course dinners complete with hors d'oeuvres and mignardise but I like to represent the major food groups. If I ate as many carbs as you do, I'd start too look like one of the penguins. Physical fitness is important." Mina replies as she bit on the fish

"But you do appear like a penguin, you walk like one, your face depicts one" Chaeyoung tease

Mina roll her eyes at the comment. They chat throughout dinner and clear their plates.

Chaeyoung turns the faucet on to wash them only to realize the pipes had frozen over now. The storm outside hadn't let up and they were surrounded by howling winds. Sighing, she set them in the sink and notes the way she could see her breath even in the dim light.

Walking back over to the fireplace, Chaeyoung notice the way Mina's hands were shaking as she sat right next to the flames.

"Are you alright?" she ask sincerely

"Cold" Mina replies, breath visible in the winter air. Night was upon them and the temperature was dropping rapidly. There were two windows in the cabin, both almost completely blocked by snow.