The winter air was bleak and cold. Fallen leaves on the street were swept up by the biting wind, tumbling over and over in gusts. Leah Sinclair exhaled a frosty breath, pulled her clothes tighter around herself, and hurried toward Nightfall.
It was New Year's Day back in Celestia, and the international students had been trickling into the bar since noon. William had put on a channel from back home, and the New Year's Gala was playing on the screen.
Leah Sinclair no longer worked part-time at Nightfall, usually just going there for a drink. But she knew Nightfall was always swamped on this day, so she would come over to lend a hand.
When William saw her arrive, he shouted to her while taking an order, "Leah, thanks a million! I'll buy you a drink when we're done."
"It's nothing. Who still needs to order?" Leah Sinclair quickly put down her bag, grabbed a menu from the bar, and asked him.
