Submission (#6712) Approved

Snow was swirling all around him and River tugged on his scarf, while the wind was howling. The blizzard was unforgiving, the icy wind was piercing his body all over and his fur was now coated in a layer of frost. With every sound muffled by the thick blanket of snow, the village felt empty and everything was dark and gray and white. Although it was midday, it felt like the sun had already set and nighttime was upon them. Miasma season started with an especially gloomy day and a raging snow storm.
River shivered and made his way through the snow that started to reach his elbows; each time he took a step his paws sank into the soft powder and snow drifts formed everywhere. Soon they would be snowed in. He didn’t even leave paw prints behind; the storm was covering them up as he slowly moved on. Every now and then he paused, ears pricked, as if listening for something elusive in the eerie storm. All the kittoms were supposed to be inside, but River knew a few troublemakers who didn’t listen to what the adults told them; so he kept his guard up and tried to look out for any stray kittoms.

Thankfully he was only running a few errands around town, and he was already on his way home again, with a backpack full of goods. He pulled his scarf up; now covering half of his face. The snow was getting higher each minute and River had to make little hops in order to get through. He needed to hurry. 

[...] 

“Finally-” With an exhausted huff, River slumped against the front door he had just closed behind him, locking out the snow storm. The cold slowly left his body and was replaced by a comforting warmth, and after catching his breath, he slowly unraveled his scarf and cleaned the snow off his fur. Something smelled amazing; Ahi had not been idle. The cozy home was filled with the inviting aroma of burning wood and cinnamon, guiding River into the kitchen, where he found his friend.
“Hi there”, he grinned and placed his backpack on the table. “Are those cinnamon sugar cookies?” He looked over Ahi’s shoulder, who just took the cookies out of the oven.

“Welcome home…~” Ahi's voice was soft and gentle, as was his whole demeanor. “And yes. The vanilla berry ones are already on the windowsill to cool down. I thought I would use the time while you’re out. I didn’t want to just sit around and do nothing.”

“Mhmh, they smell amazing!” And with a swift notion, River swiped one of the cookies that were fresh out of the oven.

“River! No! What are you doing, they are still hot-” Concerned, Ahi placed the tray on the kitchen counter and chuckled softly when River grimaced as he tried to swallow the hot cookie.

“Worth it”, River mumbled, causing Ahi to slightly shake his head.

“You are unbelievable …” 

“I’m just hungry. That storm really had it out for me, I had to fight the weather spirits themselves to get through, I swear! I think we’re gonna be stuck here for quite a while, but I got everything we were missing”, River explained while starting to unpack his bags and putting stuff away. They were staying in Cinders home, while he and Greywind were currently in Ealei. Or was it Faerindell? River wasn’t sure, he had lost track, they were both traveling so much, it was difficult to keep up. Ahi was visiting him here in Strynhalde during miasma season; normally the soft Elnin was home in the Palu’au islands.
“Do you regret coming here already?”, River asked while he put the herbs in the cabinet, and Ahi stopped for a moment. He was collecting the cookies from the tray at the windowsill and putting them in a little decorated box. Through the frosted windows Ahi could see the snowflakes dancing in the freezing air and he gently shook his head. 

“No…~”, was all he said, and River smiled softly.

“Is that so, mh?” 

[...] 

The living room was filled with an embracing warmth as the fireplace crackled and a plush sofa filled with blankets and pillows stood next to it, creating a cozy atmosphere and inviting no one in particular to take a long nap. A thick carpet was in front of the sofa, with a few toys scattered around from the last time Kittoms stayed over; and a handmade quilt with a snowflake and holly pattern was folded over a little stool with books stacking on top of each other. The delightful atmosphere was enhanced by the gentle glow of the flickering candles and strategically positioned lamps.
River felt right at home - even though this wasn’t his home. But he felt eternal gratitude towards Cinder for letting him and Ahi stay over in this quaint little cottage. //If I were him, I wouldn’t travel so much. Why would you, when you have such a cozy home?// The snow was still falling endlessly, the windowsill outside was covered in a thick layer of fresh powder and River went to go and turn on the fairy lights that were sprinkled all throughout the room.

Ahi looked up in confusion when the string of lights over his head started to glow.

“Do you feel enlightened yet?” River grinned and he returned to his friend.
They were sitting at the table near the big windows, to try and get as much natural light as possible, but it was slowly getting darker.

Earlier today, while clearing out some spaces in a closet, River had stumbled upon a forgotten box containing old trinkets and beads and he and Ahi agreed that it would be a fun afternoon activity to create some jewelry.

Ahi just smiled when River returned to the table. Beads, pearls and crystals were spread across the table, silver scissors and blue strings, yarn, threads, little charms and rings all created serene chaos. During his trip into town River had made sure to grab a variety of different parts that could be of use to him and Ahi.

“What are you working on?” River sat down next to his friend and grabbed the bracelet he created earlier and now needed to finish. He looked over the table and started to collect a few more things he wanted to add.

“A necklace”, Ahi softly explained and held up one of the pearls he bought with him from his home region. “I thought I could combine it with the crystals you got us.” He pointed at a little box with glittering, magically refined ice shards. They had been treated in a special way, and magically preservation protected them from melting ever again.

A little pristine piece of winter, now lasting for an eternity.

“Combining Strynhalde and the Palu’au islands. I like it. Can’t wait to see what you come up with, you always make such pretty things” River pondered and wanted to get back to his own piece, when he saw that Ahi was still looking in his direction.
“...Anything else?” The purple elnin waited patiently and nodded softly, to encourage Ahi, who suddenly seemed more shy than usual.

“I thought.. I mean… only if you want to, of course, it’s not a big deal if you don’t like it.. But I wanted to make a partner necklace for you and me, with both elements, like you said, combining Strynhaldes ice and the pearls of Palu, but I don’t know, maybe that is not something you want to wear and maybe it’s too cheesy, you’re so different after all and I-”
The smaller one started to ramble and doubt himself, before River gently placed his paw over Ahis, to calm the other one down.

“Ahi~ That sounds wonderful…” River smiled and was excited to see Ahi return the smile.

“You think so? Thank goodness. Then I’ll get right to it~” 

And so, against the backdrop of the snowstorm, they both started to work on their pieces again. River's paws moved with determination, choosing vibrant hues and bold combinations. He skillfully designed daring necklaces and bracelets, while going back and forth a lot, undoing some of his work and choosing a different path instead, testing out different materials and variations. Ahi, on the other hand, favored intricate patterns and soft color palettes, creating elegant earrings and dainty chokers. Unlike River he put a lot of thought about what he wanted beforehand and carefully selected each  piece he added into his work.

Every once in a while one of them would get up to grab either some tea or hot chocolate and, eventually, the cookies Ahi had baked earlier today.
Hours passed in the warm glow of the fire, and soon, the storm outside began to reach its peak. The howling got so loud it startled Ahi at several points during the afternoon and they decided to stop. After all, they had made amazing progress and several finished pieces laid out in front of them on the table, each of them unique and one of a kind. Ahi kept his promise, he made a beautiful partner piece for him and River and they were excited to try it on, once everything was set.

After they cleaned up a bit, River invited Ahi to cuddle in front of the fireplace.  

They snuggled closely together, wrapped in a few layers of blankets. River buried his face in Ahis long hair and purred gently. What a perfect way to spend the rest of the evening until it was dinner time.