Mudminnow River a fallen star

frederick found himself wandering back to where he'd first been found by lestan. he was thinking, now, about what would have happened if he had never come to the river, and instead went to the meadow first. if he had found milan first. a long sigh left him as he continued along, staring at the water. humming a tune from a distant memory.

when he looked up, he spotted something ; someone. a woman of russet and gold and pale, snow-like white, similar to the winter that had begun to blanket the ground already. he gave a soft, echoing 'woof' as he furthered his approach, pace growing to a trot.

once close enough, he would heard her words. an angry cry, one that seemed defensive in nature, claiming it was 'not her fault'. an expression of weariness grew upon his face, then. 'so stupid', she had said, next. and frederick continued towards her. his voice was a low hum when he grew closer, speaking: hello ... are you alright?

he looked down to the river, noticing the absence of fish, the starkness of the winter. without proper thought, an offer was made: are you hungry? a side-glance.