Heron Lake Plateau the world grows older every day.

"I'm sure --" Elwood started to reply, but Finley's loud laughter cut him off and he joined her with a chuckle of his own. She propelled herself quickly towards him, with perhaps a bit more recklessness than he would have preferred, but he was caught up in the moment. It wasn't until he realized just how fast her paws were slipping on the ice that he thought they were maybe in a bit of trouble.

She bumped into him, but luckily not hard enough to knock him over. He was able to keep his center of balance and tried to maneuver and provide a steady surface for her to lean against, so that she hopefully wouldn't fall and hurt her hip even further. "Careful," he said, though he was still laughing as he slid in a very slow circle.