The Best Things in Life Come From Simple, Unexpected Moments

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About the Images

As much as I dislike winter weather and being cold, I wanted to create some casual winter-y images.

Gavin is wearing Gabriel’s latest group gift, the Fleece Half Coat and Muffler. I love the super high turtleneck pulled up over his chin; it makes me imagine that he hates winter as much as I do, lol. The gift includes fits for men and women, as well as a HUD with various color selections.

Serena is wearing the Aradia sweater, scarf, leggings, and boots (not pictured) by Pare for the January round of Collabor88. There is also a leather jacket, but she had to take that off because it was too bulky for the poses (or perhaps the cold doesn’t bother her anyway).

The flower arbor backdrop is by Synnergy.Tavis, and I think it may have been a gift in their 2024 Advent calendar. What you can’t see in the images is the animated falling snow by Bad Unicorn, so I made a little video (see below).

Side note: It had been such a long time since I made a video that I forgot how to do it! I’m sure it will come back to me with a bit of practice (I used to make videos all the time for my RL work). So you may see more videos from me in the future.

Credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.

The Story

The truck’s tires crunched over the snow-covered road as Serena and Gavin drove deeper into the heart of the wintry woods. Evergreen trees lining the narrow road stood tall and solemn, their boughs heavy with fresh snow. The faint light of the overcast sky gave the scene a muted, otherworldly glow.

“These woods feel untouched,” Serena murmured, glancing out the window. Her gray eyes sparkled with the excitement of discovery. “It’s almost like we’re the first to ever see this place.”

Gavin nodded, his hands steady on the wheel. “It’s definitely remote. I doubt many people take this route in winter.”

As the road curved, they saw an arbor covered in intricate vines of frost-covered flowers. The delicate blossoms seemed to defy the season, their white petals gleaming like pearls against the snowy backdrop. Gavin slowed the truck to a stop, captivated by the vision.

“Let’s take a closer look,” Serena said, already reaching for her camera.

They stepped out into the crisp air, their boots crunching softly in the snow. Serena adjusted her scarf and slung her camera over her shoulder, her breath forming tiny clouds as she spoke. “It’s almost surreal. How do flowers like these even exist in winter?”

“Maybe they’re preserved by the cold somehow,” Gavin replied, running a gloved hand along the icy vines. “Or maybe it’s just one of nature’s mysteries.”

Serena didn’t respond immediately; she was too busy framing her shot. Her lens captured the arbor’s intricate details, the frost shimmering like diamonds. The camera’s shutter clicked rhythmically as she moved around, seeking the perfect angle.

A soft meow broke the stillness. Serena lowered her camera and turned toward the sound. From the shadows of the woods, a sleek tabby cat emerged, its fur patterned with silver and black that glimmered faintly in the dim light. The cat approached with cautious curiosity, its yellow eyes fixed on the couple.

“Well, hello there,” Gavin said, crouching down to greet the unexpected visitor. The cat stretched luxuriously before stepping forward to rub against his outstretched hand.

“You’re a friendly one,” Serena remarked, snapping a quick photo of the cat as it curled around Gavin’s legs. “Do you think it belongs to someone nearby?”

Gavin shook his head. “There’s no sign of any houses. Maybe it’s a stray or just a wanderer like us.”

As the cat purred contentedly, a sudden movement caught Serena’s attention. She looked up to see a small bird perched on the edge of the arbor. Its bright red feathers stood out vividly against the white and gray of the landscape. The bird tilted its head as if studying the scene below.

Serena lifted her camera again, her fingers quick and practiced. The shutter clicked softly, capturing the vibrant contrast of the bird against the icy vines.

“It’s like the woods are alive with little surprises,” she said quietly. “First the kitty, and now this beautiful bird…”

Gavin stood, brushing snow from his knees. “It’s a reminder to slow down and really look. There’s so much we miss when we’re in a rush.”

The cat meowed once more, then turned and padded back into the trees. The bird lingered a moment longer before flitting away, its crimson form disappearing into the pale expanse of the forest.

As they turned back toward the arbor, a rustling sound drew their attention to the edge of the clearing. A graceful deer stepped out from behind a tree, its coat blending almost seamlessly with the snowy backdrop. It paused, its ears twitching as it gazed at them with wide, curious eyes.

Serena held her breath, lifting her camera slowly to capture the serene beauty of the moment. The deer lingered for a heartbeat, then bounded away, disappearing silently into the trees.

Serena lowered her camera and glanced at Gavin. “I think I got some amazing shots. But more than that, this whole experience feels… special. Like we were meant to find this place.”

Gavin smiled, wrapping an arm around her. “I’m glad we stopped. These little moments make the journey worth it.”

Before they left, Serena adjusted the camera’s settings and held it out. “Let’s take one together. We can’t leave without proof we were here.”

Gavin chuckled and stepped beside her under the arbor. They huddled close, their faces framed by the frost-covered vines. Serena clicked the shutter, capturing their smiles against the wintry backdrop. She checked the image on the screen and laughed softly. “Perfect. It’s like a little piece of magic to take home.”

As the snow began to fall more steadily, Serena crouched down and scooped up a handful of the soft powder. With careful fingers, she shaped it into a heart and held it up, grinning. “A souvenir,” she said, showing the heart to Gavin.

He chuckled. “That’s one way to remember the moment. Let me take a picture of you.”

Serena held the snow heart as Gavin snapped a photo with her camera. She inspected the image and smiled. “It’s perfect. Just like this day.”

They stood together beneath the arbor for a while longer, taking in the quiet beauty of the woods. Snowflakes began to drift down once more, soft and delicate, as if the forest itself was bidding them to stay just a little longer.

CREDITS

Serena

WINGS Gift 04-Female-HAIR
IKON Lucidity Eyes Eternal Pack
Izzie’s Soft Winter Glitter Eyeshadow
Glam Affair Liv
Glam Affair Astrid Winter Addons Blush
Cazimi Holiday Glam Lipstick
Vibing Athena Earrings
PARÉ Aradia Turtleneck (@ Collabor88)
PARÉ Snowy Scarf (@ Collabor88)
PARÉ Aradia Leggings (@ Collabor88)
Belle Epoque Vanessa Nails
Vibing Electra Rings

Gavin

WINGS ES0715-HAIR Short
IKON Splendor Eyes
Not Found Jerry Skin
Deep Static Ryan Glasses
Volkstone Andreas Facial Hair
Gabriel Fleece Half Coat & Muffler (group gift)
Cold Ash Riley Jeans