[Shiisiln]

Willow trudged through the snow, closing his eyes against the icy wind that lashed continually over him. Black bears weren't made for this kind of weather; the cold seeped right in through his thin coat and bit at him until he was numb and exhausted.

He never would have tried to climb this high on the mountains if he knew such a vicious storm was coming. He still wasn't used to living anywhere but the forest; he didn't know what signs to look for that signaled a change in the weather.

Now he just had to keep moving and hope he could find some kind of shelter before he froze to death. He put his head down and tried to move faster, pushing back against the wind.

After a minute, he looked around, startled. He could have sworn he just heard footsteps... was it just the wind playing tricks on him, or was there someone out there?

[Starburst]

A small purple-pink spot was seen somewhere in the distance. It was approaching fast. After it moving closer, it was about five feet away. It seemed unphased by the snow, most likely used to it. It had large fangs and a tail that split down the middle, with purple fur and pink stars on it. It looked like it spoke, but the sound of the wind drowed out his soft voice.

[Shiisiln]

Willow looked up, and his eyes widened as he saw a large, furry purple shape approaching him. It was... some kind of big cat, he eventually realized, with a long split tail.

His first thought was fear; it looked bigger than him, and he wasn't sure if it would be friendly, or think he looked like a tasty meal. But he decided to go up to meet it; if the cat didn't kill him, he was pretty sure the storm would anyway.

"Hello!" he called out, and the wind immediately stole his voice. HEllo?! Who are you?" He called, trying to make himself heard over the roaring blizzard.

[Starburst]

The cat tried to speak, but once more his voice was stolen by the wind. This time, he was louder .His roar of a voice came out, and he said,

"Are you lost?!" He didn't think a brown bear should be in this blizzard.

[Shiisiln]

As soon as he heard the cat asking if he was lost, Willow felt a sense of relief. That didn't guarantee he was entirely safe- but that wasn't usually a question you asked potential prey.

He lumbered forward until he was close enough that he didn't have to shout at the top of his lungs anymore. "Yes! I am very lost. Do you know anywhere I can take shelter for the night?"

[Starburst]

The cat nods, and smiles. "Come with me. I have a cave you can stay in." He begins slowly padding along in the opposite direction, the purple cat getting blurier the farther away he gets.

[Shiisiln]

Willow sighed in major relief. He followed the big cat on shaky legs, trying to push himself even harder than he already had been.

By the time they reached the cave, he felt frozen through. His paws were already completely numb, but it was a physical relief to get out of the wind. "Th-thank you," he said from between chattering teeth. "Who a-are y-you?"

[Starburst]

There was a larger wolf sleeping in the corner, but the cat didn't seem to mind.

"I'm Starburst." He smiles." And you are?"

[Shiisiln]

"Nice to meet you, Starburst," Willow said. "I'm Willow. I hope I'm not being too much of an inconvenience."

He noticed a large wolf sleeping nearby. His ears pricked up curiously. "Who's that?"

[Starburst]

"Oh you're fine! I don't mind having you here. That's Bluemoon. She's my mate." He smiles, and the wolf rolls over to face the pair.

"Who's that?" She growled.

"Willow. She's gonna stay here until the storm passes."

[Shiisiln]

Willow was a little surprised. He hadn't thought any one person lived up on this mountain, much less two. He supposed they must both be hardier than he was.

He nodded amiably to the wolf. "Hello there. Sorry for intruding," he said.

[Starburst]

She yawned and stretched.

"It's fine. I'm not bothered." She smiles.

[Shiisiln]

Willow looked around the little cave. Now that he was warming up, he was getting more and more curious. "Do a lot of people live up here?" he asked.

[Starburst]

"Not really." Starburst said. "Just us really."

[Shiisiln]

"Wow," Willow said, blinking incredulously. "I can't imagine living all alone up on a mountain like this... I think I'd get lonely."

[Starburst]

Starburst chuckles.

"We aren't alone. We have each other."

[Shiisiln]

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Willow said.

He looked at the two of them for a moment, and suddenly felt lonely again. "I guess I was just thinking of myself. I've been alone for a long time now."

[Starburst]

"That's alright," Starburst said, smiling. "And... Well, I'm afraid you wouldn't be safe here. You'd probably freeze. Can't have that happening."

[Shiisiln]

"Probably," Willow said, shivering violently. He sat down on the cave floor, tucking his paws under him to keep them warm. "How did you two come to be here anyway?"

[Starburst]

"Well... Birdo doesn't have that worked out yet. Ask again later~" Bluemoon said.