Blackfoot Forest microwave popcorn

She smiled and nodded, attention turning to the surrounding forest. Meerkat paused a moment to listen and observe, snout lifting into the air to test it. It was so cold, it made her nose ache, though she found some smells of interest.

Facing Isssorartuyok, she silently mouthed for him to follow her and struck off into the woods, running parallel with the spires to their right. The morning sunlight plunged through the bare treetops, warming the left side of her body. The movement also helped. Soon, she felt much warmer and limber for it.

"Here," she said suddenly, braking to a halt and dropping her head to study some footprints in the mixture of dirt and snow on the ground. "Oh, wait, these definitely belong to a fox," Meerkat said, nose wrinkling at the telltale odor.

Exchanging a quick glance with her companion, Meerkat scuffed a paw over the spot and then headed onward through the woods, still in search of a promising lead.