It had been a few days since Neria stood at the forefront of the settlement, looking out in to the forest ahead while feeling the chill sneaking in on the breeze. She had shivered at it's touch, ears folding back in caution. It wasn't the usual cold fingers of nature, no, this stroke had left her skin burning at it's touch and had caused her features to twist in to an air of concern. She had turned on her hooves and tread over to where her trusty owl familiar, Tuyet, was perched. She gestured her head to the skies. "I think a storm's coming... An unusual cold snap." She shivered again, seeing her breath plume out in opaque clouds. "Can you scout ahead to the lands beyond and see what the weather is like there?" If her concerns were warranted, she wanted to have the advantage, as small as that may be, in order to be better prepared for when it hit. By the feel of the wind, there wasn't going to be much time left at all but they had to try.
Tuyet shrieked in response as he out-stretched his wings and pushed off of his perch, rocketing straight in to the sky above. He soon became perfectly blended among the blanket of grey cloud and she would once again silently wish for his safe return. While Tuyet was scouting she would be taking that time to check the stock of textiles, fabrics and fur's in the storage hut's and poke her head in to the pantry's to see what food was left. If the storm was bad enough they may be snowed in or have to hunker down until the worst of it had passed. Thankfully, the cold made it easier to preserve food and they could use snow and ice to chill it and prevent it from spoiling for longer if necessary. The heat was the main worry and, now stood in front of the main lodge, observed how hardy the structure was and how they may better insulate it.
If they were to send out a hunting party, they could acquire both pelts and food as well a small party to gather less fleshy edibles and search the area for cork bark to use as insulation in the huts. She could also, while not entirely fond of the idea, set out in search of Awan and his death cart for extra furs and see where Zeeke and his travelling merchant companion, Rueben, currently was on their route to see what wares he was currently in possession of.
Back when they lived in Eden they had become used to the cold and the snow. It snowed often, with giant flakes and heavy downfall. They would spend a great deal of time enjoying the winters blessing until the icy chll became even too much for them to cope with and then they would retreat in to their dens until the conditions improved. Now they were among people from all corners of the world and land, places they had not yet been, seen or even knew existed beyond the loose chatter. Their world had become so much bigger than they ever imagined since leaving Eden after the ambush and now she was beginning to understand why Alex had felt trapped and had to flee to truly find his wings. She hoped wherever he was and whatever life he had made for himself, he was happy.
For just a moment she felt sorrow as she remembered those she loved and hadn't seen for such a long time and those they lost that they would never see again. Every so often she would spend time remembering them but knew not to let those thoughts consume her, as it was easy to surrender to pity and hopelessness. They had all come too far to allow themselves to be consumed by grief and while it had taken a lot of time and practice, they had all started looking forward to what could be again.
Spying Dylan talking with the commander a short ways from where she was situated, a grin filled her maw and she playfully trotted in his direction, gripping his garments with her teeth and dragging him swiftly away from his company and in the same direction she was heading. "H-hey, what, w-w-wait a minute, what's this about?" He stammered in surprise, though by now her actions should hardly surprise him in their randomness, sometimes it would still come as a shock when he was least expecting it. He saluted his general hastily and tried to steady himself in the grooves he was ploughing in the dirt underfoot.
She stopped in her tracks, again when he least expected her to, and let go of his sleeves. He fell backwards and landed on his backside letting out an irritated noise of sorts. She laughed and smiled at the sight of him on the floor, though it wouldn't be the first time and she guaranteed it wouldn't be the last. He pouted at her. "All right, all right. What's so important anyway?" He sighed, getting back to his feet and rubbing the area of his body that had taken the brunt of the impact. Not getting too distracted with the theatrics she reached out and took a blanket in her teeth, throwing it over her back as an example.
He tilted his head. "You want a... Rug? All this for a rug? All the horses get them when it gets cold." He folded his arms and she snorted, walking over to him she nudged him forward to notion to where they were going next. He didn't argue and followed her wondering what she was planning this time. They finally arrived at the storage hut where all the furs were kept. She took the blanket from her back and placed it on the floor, stepping in to take hold of the closest pelt and then dropped it on to the plan piece of cloth before eying him intently.
Dylan stared at her for a brief moment, chin in hand, before looking down at the combination of materials she had thrown together. He finally nodded and grinned her way in understanding. Now he knew what she was getting at.
Dylan had taken the pelts and the cloth to the seamstresses and leatherworkers to have them manufacture not only warmer covers for the horses but warmer gear for the human members of the settlement as well. While they hadn't had everything they needed to clothe the entire community, they had made a start, and would inevitably have to collect more in the coming days.
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