Sharp, crisp air scratched at Beatrix’s nostrils. He woke up just in time for Blaine to walk in with a sunrise feast. Less of a feast and more of a little munch, a snack. Bartholomew’s head shot up as the smell of fresh wolpertinger blood. They shared the meal, Beatrix got the rabbit arms and the chest and above, Bartholomew got the thick jumper legs, and Blaine got the stomach with the intestines. 

Beatrix’s hunger was immediately satiated. Everyone seemed happy so early in the morning. It was still dark outside. 

“Why are we up so early?” Beatrix asked, he never before had to wake up before the sun was bright. 

“Is this your first Night Sky season?” Bartholomew asked. Beatrix nodded.

“When the Night Sky season comes, it gets very cold, and snow falls. The sun doesn’t come up as early as it usually does,” Blaine explained, “So right now, it only feels early, but really it is just after sun rise,” 

“Wow! I’ve never seen a dark morning,” 

“You don’t have a Night Sky season where you come from?” Bartholomew doubted. 

Beatrix shook his head, “No, it’s either always really hot, or really rainy, and sometimes it's both so the rain is also warm,” 

“That’s crazy…I can’t imagine not having a Night Sky season,”

“It’s time to go, up off you behind, Bartholomew,” said Blaine. He groaned as he stiffly pushed himself up off the hard floor. 

Soon they were outside in snow up to their ankle tufts. Thankfully it wasn’t snowing anymore, but it felt like Beatrix’s delicate little toes might fall off. With each step followed a soft crunch of compacting the snow beneath him. He liked the new sound. It was like crunching the fallen leaves, but much colder. 

The snow glistened as they trudged through it, leaving a distinct path behind them. You could have counted three different animals in their footprints, a dragon, a kitsune, and a bison. It would definitely scare any other travelers, or anyone who might follow them. 

Even though it was colder than anything Beatrix had ever felt, he was starting to get hot. He felt the need for water, his thirst itched at the back of his tongue. Even panting couldn't cool him off.   

“Something’s wrong with Beaty,” Bartholomew said to Blaine, Beatrix was a few tail lengths away, panting and gasping. 

“What’s wrong?” Blaine asked, studying the strange behaviour.

“I’m…so…thirsty,” Beatrix puffed. 

BOOSH!

Suddenly Beatrix felt snow melting in his right ear and there were pieces of a snowball in his cheek fur. Some of it got in his mouth, and he discovered it was water.

“Bartholoew!” Blaine snapped his head back to scowl at him. When he turned forward he saw Beatrix’s face planted deep in the snow, his tongue lapping at it. 

“Well there's a solution,” Blaine chuckled. Bartholomew heard the chuckle and his heart fluttered, it wasn’t often you could see the stoic leader giggle to himself. He smiled and started laughing at Beatrix’s shivering but wagging tail. 

Finally cooled off, Beatrix was back in his A game, walking with a steady pace and keeping up with Bartholomew. 

“How did you make that snowball?” Beatrix asked. 

Bartholomew laughed, “I have opposable thumbs, unlike some people,” Beatrix tilted his head and looked at him with pure unknowing. “These,” Bartholomew lifted his right dragon hand and bent his thumb and wiggled his five fingers around. Then he picked up some snow and sat down on his haunches so he could focus on squishing it together. “Watch this,” He drew his hand back, about to throw it at Blaine. 

“Hey! No!” Beatrix loudly whispered as he climbed up on his arm to stop the fire. But it was too late, it had begun. Beatrix watched in horror as the snowball flew in the air, shimmering in the high sunlight. Then it crashed into Blaine's back. Blaine stopped dead in his tracks. 

“Now you’ve done it!” Beatrix cried. 

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Bartholomew rolled his eyes. He walked up to Blaine, but in a flash Blaine's hand, full of snow, slapped his face with a low whack.

There was still silence, awkward, uncanny. 

“Um…sorry…I thought you would…like it,” Blaine apologized for his actions. Then Bartholomew burst out in laughter, howling loud as a banshee. Then he was crying with joy and was sitting on the snowy floor. 

“That was awesome!” He shouted. Beatrix was laughing now too, but Blaine just scowled. 

“Alright! Back to walking!” Blaine demanded. 

Beatrix and Bartholomew played as they walked, Blaine had never been more annoyed in his life, but at least Beatrix was happy, for now.