Blacktail Deer Plateau now that the evening is slowing

again, then. "oh," ears half-rise, as the woman explains. "that's good, then." she offers, shivering still. the woman moves to the edge, and cleo follows cautiously. 

they've broken up much of the pond in their previous struggle, enabling a better view of the water. she glances once to the woman, then back at the dark water, watching as the falling snow dissolves instantly into the dark. then, suddenly, a flicker of movement. "was that once?" she asks softly, as if she might scare it back to the deep.