Sleepy Fox Hollow pyroclast

the mare had to admit to herself that despite the vague annoyance which still sparked when she saw their new band stallion, it was good to have his watchful eye.

she and fancy hadn't starved, but now they were free to put on some solid, lasting weight, almost too late in the season. selenia had become round and ponderous, pawing grass out of the snow as often as she was able to keep her constant meals.

you keep your men? a doe had asked her the day before, lingering at the treeline while selenia chewed frozen blades of sedge beside a lake. "don't you?" the mare had retorted, though her counterpart's question had been amusing. not in the same way. they only fight in one season. your men will fight in every month.

it was a sobering thought and while she and that doe had parted pleasantly, the memory of the scarred, warring stallions remained fresh in her mind.

today she lifted her head, perhaps glancing for him now.

Silverbirch was done with the snow.

It had been fun, for a hot minute- pretty, too. She liked the sound it made under her hooves, and the sound thin ice on small puddles made as she broke it. She did enjoy eating the icicles that hung from trees until one of them gave her a brain freeze; yes, she was done with the snow now.

She limped as she walked toward her mother, her ears splayed out toward the sides and her lips pulled tight. She kicked out after each step of her right fore, until at last the snowball which had built up against the sole of her foot was dislodged and sent flying. It landed in a clump of bushes which rattled, and cause the filly to spook with a small, upset squeal.