Permafrost Hollows I cannot stay where nature's embrace is lost

Her chest heaved. The pain had taken a moment to set in, clouded by adrenaline now dissipated to reveal an agonising ache in her hindleg. Twisting her neck, she stared wide-eyed where the light softly illuminated her pale fur, nosing gingerly aside her tail-

Darkness. A figure, silhouetted. "I fell, amadan." Stupid man. Had he come to gloat at her? Well then, she sure as hell wouldn't give him a show.

Satori was about to fling another stinging retort when a familiar voice split the quiet. "Faust?" What was he doing here? "No - stop! Get back!" The heavy oaf! "Or you'll both join me down here." A pain-fuelled growl, poignant and commanding.