Firestone Hot Springs I heard there’s a dreamland

Snow was falling as the day came to an end.  The sky still had a dull glow somewhere near the horizon but the clouds muted the light.  It was dreary, and it didn't look like the morning would be much different.  Mal had gone wandering after a couple of scent trails at the edge of his forest and here he had yet again ended  up losing them in the stench of the hot springs.  Part of that being because he wasn't too into going too close.

The cold weather made it almost tempting for him to finally set a paw in the hot water -- as it were, the snow didn't last very long around the springs itself.  Even where he was standing the snow was far thinner than where his tracks were a few yards before.  It wasn't like winter was going to get any kinder anyway...  Should he?

He hesitantly walked to the edge of one of the pools, sniffed, and crinkled his nose.  Maybe not.  He turned away, frowning, but didn't walk far.