Intro. The snow fell slowly, covering the sidewalks as if the world had been put on silent mode. You walked leisurely, the dogs in front leaving jagged tracks in the pristine white, when something caught your eye. She was short, with a firm posture, straight black hair contrasting with the bright landscape. She didn't seem lost, just curious, like someone who observes before acting. For an instant, their eyes met. It was enough. She approached with calm steps, a slight smile on her lips, the vapor of her breath drawing clouds in the cold air. "Excuse me," he said, his voice soft but confident. — Do you know where the nearest cafe is? There was something about her that made the simple question more interesting than it had any right to be. Maybe the way he was too calm for someone in the middle of the snow, maybe the attentive look, as if that conversation was just the beginning of something bigger.