"Well... this is... interesting," Mia whispered at last. She wasn't sure if that was the best way to describe what was happening to the sky. But Mia needed to say something. She just really needed to break the silence. But Ruby didn't answer. Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the pale grey skies above. This was the only time that Mia had ever wanted to hear the sound of Mary's voice.
The sky grew darker and darker above them as the silence grew heavier and heavier. What in the world was happening to the city? Mia tightened her grip on Ruby's hand. Was this intentional? Was Mary just trying to scare them? The dolls had noticed the darkening skies when they first stepped out into the streets that morning. After talking with Jasmine, Mia and Ruby had headed straight for the square. There hadn't been enough time to stop by Blossom's apartment and check on her.
Mia searched the faces around her. Blossom was nowhere to be seen. Hopefully she was doing okay. Could... could she be dead? Had something happened to her? This was stupid. Mia was just working herself into a panic. But seeing Blossom would make her feel a million times better. Was Lu nearby? Desperation filled Mia as her eyes roamed around for Lu.
What if something had happened to Lu? Maybe she was dead and maybe Blossom was dead. Maybe all of Mia's friends would be dead soon and there was nothing that she could do about it. Everything was falling apart. Even the sky wasn’t operating the way it should. None of this was fair. Why did this have to happen now?
Things had been getting better. Mia had even found a job that helped Lu. But now they had a whole bunch of new problems to worry about, including the weather glitching out on them. All of this would be so much easier if Ivy were here with them. But Mia knew there was no point in wishing for the impossible.
"Look at that!" someone suddenly cried out from her crowd. Mia turned her eyes back up to the sky as gasps rose up all around her. Okay, this must be a dream. What was she even looking at? Wait... she knew what this was. Mia had seen pictures of this before. What was it called again? Ah, yes, it was called snow. But it was only supposed to be a thing in the outside world. It had never snowed in the city before. Mia hadn't even known that it could snow in the city. Was this a test that the overseers were doing? Were they trying to install new weather modes? Maybe that would explain things.
Mia wasn't sure if she was meant to feel excited or frightened. There was something beautiful about the snow. It drifted down the same way that the sheets of paper they had been given drifted down. Mia watched as the soft, sparkling flakes gently landed on the ground around her. How soft and sweet they looked. It seemed as if they were each made out of tiny sparkling crystals. How was this even possible? This snow wasn't made of glass. How was the city producing it?
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"It's lovely," breathed Mia. She glanced up at Ruby.
"Yes... I forgot how lovely snow was." There was an intense look of joy on Ruby's face. This was something that Ruby had seen before in the real world. Perhaps it was even lovelier in the real world. Mia felt the fear in her soul melt away as more snow fell. This wasn't going to hurt her. She had no idea why this was happening, but it wasn't going to hurt her.
Everything was going to be alright. Now she felt really dumb for feeling so frightened and panicked before. The snow was falling more thickly now. It gathered in little clumps all around Mia. How perfectly clear and crisp the air smelled now. Mia could spend the rest of her life just staring at the snow. Her soul drank in the beauty in deep gulps.
Was this really what the outside world was like? It must be wonderful to live there. Ruby was a really lucky doll. Mia loved the city. But she did often wonder about life outside of it and how the real world looked. If only there was a way for her to catch a glimpse of the real sky, the real sun, and real snow.
All around Mia, faces turned from frightened to hopeful and surprised. Now everyone's eyes were filled with looks of peace and awe. What a wonderful moment of calm, silent peace. Normally the square was the deadliest place in the city. But not today. Today it was a peaceful haven.
"What should we do, Ruby?" Mia asked after a while of staring at the snow. It was starting to pile itself on her head and shoulders. Ruby also had little clumps of snow on her now. Had Ruby missed the snow? It looked like she had. If dolls could cry, Ruby would be crying tears of joy right now. The look on Ruby's face was more beautiful to Mia than the snow or the city or anything that she had ever seen before.
"Maybe there won't be any games today either," whispered Ruby.
"Do you think that the speaker system is broken? Maybe that is why Mary hasn't given us any instructions yet," suggested Mia.
"Possibly. But honestly, I have no clue what could be happening up there, Mia."
"Do you think we'll be punished if we just head back home?" asked Mia.
"I don't think we should risk that. Besides, I wouldn't mind spending another day out here, provided that we won't end up fighting to the death with anyone," said Ruby softly. The smile on Ruby's face deepened. "Have you ever built a snowman, Mia?"
"A... a w-what now?"
"You don't know what a snowman is. Well... I guess that we'll have to fix that right now," said Ruby. "Come on, I'll show you."