Firestone Hot Springs a strange respite from the cold

Although Jaws had been nomadic most of his life and had travelled across a vast assortment of terrains, hot springs were not something he had encountered before. The shadow-like coywolf was drawn to them by their curious scent, and now as he drew near the warmth and dampness in the air intrigued him more. Jaws approached cautiously, taking one calculated step after another. When he reached the edge of the nearest spring he dipped his head to the water's surface and sniffed deeply. Nothing about the water seemed amiss other than its temperature, so Jaws' tongue slipped out between his long canines and sampled it; it was hot - comforting - and pure.

A familiar chirp interrupted the silence and his eyes flicked over to see the gray jay alight on the snow at the edge of the spring, only two wolf-lengths away. It peered into the water before taking a peck at it, miming Jaws' actions. He stared with annoyance at the feathered flea, then quickly swiped a paw across the spring, sending a spray of water toward the bird, who fled with a shriek. A smirk creased his lips.