The cold air was saturated with magic- a sort of coppery scent. Too close to the taste and smell of blood for Max' liking. Still shivering but sweating from effort beneath his heavy clothes, he continued to shoulder through the drift, numbed fingers clutching the metal shaft of the shovel. That is, until Coal tore past him with one of the most brazen displays of magic he had ever seen. The taste of copper increased in his mouth as Max gaped.

Now, anyone in the neighboring houses who happened to glance out the window knew magic existed. And more to the point, they had lost the advantage of surprise. Any magician could sense this flaunting of power, if one was waiting inside they would have ample time to prepare and fortify themselves. "Drat," Max muttered, the strongest curse he felt able to muster through his annoyance. With nothing else to lose, he began singing a song that seemed appropriate as he shoveled through the last few feet to the front porch. The rhythm made the final push that much easier.

[center]"With cat-like tread, upon our prey we steal
In silence dread, our cautious way we feel.
No sound at all! We never speak a word.
A fly's foot-fall would be distinctly heard."[/center]

Finally, ice crusting on the ears of the foxy hat, Max managed to climb onto the porch with the others, despite being the first to set out. He wondered after Glory, hoping she hadn't gotten separated and lost in the storm. The girl wasn't familiar with snow, but unfortunately they just didn't have time to look for her. Out of breath, panting, Max listened to the others. He nodded at Lenya's comment. Something awful had happened here. Something that didn't belong in this world had arrived. Max folded the shovel, slipped it into one of his oversized pockets, drew his shofar instead. The horn might be his best weapon if he was confronted by something otherworldly.

Azai said he had a plan. He seemed a little too sure of himself, but Max conceded that he himself didn't have any ideas. "I'm listening," he said. "Just keep in mind, anyone in there must know we're here by now." He tried not to make that remark accusatory, but he couldn't help looking at Coal as he said it. 

He quickly looked away, reaching up to brush snow off the foxy hat. His ears weren't even cold. Dang, that was actually a pretty good hat.