Quiet on the Northern front

Winter is the most difficult season. Filled with ghosts, with snow, with hardship. Hazel relies on the harsh northern weather and the busywork it brings. Reclused in her own head... busy. She would keep busy, keep her walls up, keep her blinders on. Throwing herself into work, and leaving little space for anything else. It's the only way to keep her head above water. Ignoring the exhaustion that has long settled into her bones... that's a problem for spring-Hazel. Yes, when spring comes, she'll be different.

Same shit, different year. Don't remind her that she swore she'd rest last spring, don't remind her that she only kept going. Don't remind her just how tired she was. Hazel can't take those reminders, right now. Self doubt creeping back in around the edges, what else is new?

It's during the later stretch of her watch, that Basilisk comes and sits beside her. Company was good, from Bas? Even better. Stretching, trying to shake some of the stiffness from her neck and shoulders, as she turns her head to peer at him. "For now." Taking a grateful sip of the warm drink, allowing it to fend off some of the wintry chill from the inside out. "Something stirred up a herd of deer, maybe an hour ago. Didn't see what, but they were nearly done running by the time they passed anyway." She shrugged.

"This is a nice surprise." Tone grateful, though her gaze flicks back to the horizon. Reclusive as she's been, perhaps it's not for the best. Her winter habits are, maybe, unhealthy.

Hazel, The General