LINK TO PART 10 HERE
👇Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves of the woods, fashioning yellow spotlights that illuminated the shelter. Lemon grass sprouted like weeds, covering the soil in a soft edible blanket. There was a light brume coiling its way through the lower levels, snaking this way and that, acting as a pseudo fog.
The first flakes of snow began their descent.
Winter was finally revealing itself in its entirety.
6 Days had passed since the herd took up shelter in the woods. With the help of Dandelion, Muscari had set up a flourishing network of workers, in which he and the younger fluffies would scavenge for food while Rose fetched Dandelion the herbs she needed to tend to Zebra.
”Time fow scoutin!”
As his voice rang out, the weanlings of the herd assembled before him. Chocolate, Cucumber and Strawberry wore looks of joy and ambition, while Ruby and Gold glared sourly at the blue unicorn.
”Wet’s gu.”
A flick of the tail commanded them, and they trudged in single file, spreading out once further into the forest.
…
…
.
.
”Owwies!”
”Sowwy, buh Dandewion hab tu du dis su ou can get bettew…”
Rose watched, her ears cringing at the winces and hisses coming from the striped leader - though he wasn’t being much of a leader currently. It was forgiven, considering his condition.
Zebra lost his leg.
Though he was often able to best his fluffy hardwiring, the loss of a limb brought him great sadness, even though it wasn’t really affecting him. His left eye was lost also, he didn’t understand why, but the impact of the fall had done something to it, causing an infection.
”Owwies! Ou did dat wun on puwpose!”
”Ehehehe!”
Even so, everything seemed to hurt less with Dandelion around. He was impressed with the level of knowledge she possessed, and it was thanks to her that he was growing stronger every day. She always knew how to cheer him up, and cared for him unconditionally…
”Mummuh! Wook wah Cucumbew bwought bac!”
The weanlings came back in a flurry of giggles and excitement, sharing their spoils with the rest of the herd. Behind them, Muscari began sorting the food into piles.
Rose approached him.
”Hewwo Wose, did ou get da yawwow Dandewion wan?”
She flicked her tail, apologetically. ”Nu, sowwy. Nu tink Wose can hewp Dandewion nu moaw…”
”Wuh? Wai?!”
”Wose fink babbehs am cumin soon.”
Of course! It had completely slipped the stallion’s mind. Looking at his sister now he could see how her skin was stretched taut over her rounded belly. It was a miracle she was able to forage anyway.
A sheepish grin broke through. ”Sowwy Wose, Muscawi fowgot…” He turned to face the herd.
Gold was curiously watching Strawberry and Cucumber play with Chocolate. Being the plaintive creature he was, he bluntly asked them.
”Wai gud fwuffies pway wid poopie?”
They ceased their frolicking, looking at Gold with confusion.
”Chocowate nu am poopie fwuffy, Chocowate am Chocowate!” The young pegasus quipped, hugging Chocolate to emphasise her point.
”Yeah, Chocowate am gud fwuffy! Chocowate nu smeww wike poopies, ow num poopies, su wai du ou tink Chocowate poopie…?”
Gold stood, a little stupefied, before Ruby snorted loudly.
Her muzzle wrinkled in disgust and she snapped at them. ”Becah Chocowate hab poopie fwuff an wooks wike poopies. Nu pwetty wike Wuby.”
.
.
”FWUFFIES!”
Attention was drawn away from the increasingly tense situation as Muscari called.
”Wose am soon mummah, nu can hewp Dandewion nu mowe!..”
There was a pause, before he continued.
”Chocowate! Ou du ouw mummah’s wowk untiw she hab babbehs.”
…
…
.
.
Night had descended on the fluffies.
As per usual, they huddled in a pile of warm fluffy bodies, fending off hypothermia, and providing safety.
When Muscari was sure everyone was asleep, he finagled his way out of the mass of fur, moving away to pace in peace.
They were running out of food.
Enough scouting missions confirmed that they were bringing back less and less every day. What’s more, Rose’s pregnancy would bring more of a strain.
He bit his lip.
To leave was a huge gamble… but what other choice did they have?
To stay was to die a slow death in the face of starvation, but to leave….
He gazed up to the sky:
It had started to snow again.