Winter Wonderland[C]

Iakona had disappeared, and shortly after Forest had followed. She still had no idea where the tom had set off to nor why he had left without her. Many times Alethea had told Forest just how much he meant to her despite his chilly disposition, and yet he had left her to tend to a growing crew that seemed less and less like the family she had once known. She could count the remaining original members of the crew on a single paw. Each day that passed was another reminder of the home that was now unfamiliar to her. Ajex, however, had a certain way about him. Anytime he came around Alethea felt at ease, as if the loss of her brother and father could be forgotten and accepted. He brought with him an aura of warmth and kindness that transformed her mood in an instant. The feelings he made her feel were so new and strange, but they had become irreplaceable to her now.

As the pair came upon the frozen river Alethea couldn't help the look of awe that covered her face. It was beautiful, a stream frozen as it had raged. Was there still life teeming below the surface? Alethea opened her mouth to speak, only to be surprised as her companion let out a yowl and leapt from his spot. "Ajex!" The tom was on his back before long, and though Alethea desperately tried to hold in a laugh it was to no avail. Great Stag, he was struggling just to stand! Eventually the tom found his footing, unsteady as it was. Every hair on her pelt told the molly to refuse his invitation, refuse making a fool of herself in front of him, but that smile he gave her spurred the molly forward.

Carefully Alethea descended to the ice, paws scrambling across the surface to find a grip anywhere. Even the use of her claws didn't do much to keep her steady, though she was slowly sliding towards Ajex. Just as Alethea was sure she was getting used to traversing the ice she slipped, falling face-first onto the cold hard surface. Hissing softly the molly lifted her head. She was close, so close. Forcing power into her legs Alethea pushed off the ice, bringing her to a shaky slide until she collided gently into the ginger tom. "A-alright, now what?"