That frozen fortress.
That damned, frozen fortress.
It wasn't the snow that was cold.
Nor the ice. Nor the frozen lake.
But the wind, like a breath of all that fortress' inhabitants,
Washing over us for miles into the air,
Engulfing me; surrounding me like a rush of icy water--
But even water stops at the skin, for a while.

Ice in my lungs. Keep your mouth closed to keep
As much heat as you can; the Fortress won't give it back.
It takes, and takes, and before you're there you know
It preys on your mind, and you fight and hopelessly wish;
Yes, please! Fortress please let me in... within your walls might be warmer?
Might be warmth?

Yet I'm already aware, or at least I'm sure, though I hope and imagine...
How much hope do I really have for that success?
Is it a success? A fool's wish?
Yes, a fool's wish, to be certain.
But is it a good one?
Is it one worth having?
Who can say?

Is it different for me?
I don't know.

Why do you make me think it's a little different for me?
Is it my illusion? Is it just my deepest wish, that makes me begrudge my own attempts?
I know you're cold. Yet you beckon, and I wish to reach out to that beckoning call.
Though it's cold and distant--to accept that call,
if it's really for me--and maybe if it's not?
But if that's the case, then I know it doesn't matter.
Yes, it probably doesn't matter.
It's just my illogical thought. My illogical hope. I don't want to leave.
Rather, you left and I want to follow you. But if we should be frozen apart, then I must try
and force myself to leave, with all that I am. It's 'all or nothing', huh.
How beautiful, how simple:

All...

or Nothing.

Subete, soretomo...

Nandemo nai desu.