Softness in the Cold

Periwinkle crouches in the tundra, shaking with exhaustion. Their vision blurs as snowflakes swirl around them. The pine tree-tops above shoot up into the sky for infinity, the pointed silhouettes cast dark shadows in their peripheral vision.

I just need to go a bit further, Periwinkle thinks to themself, ignoring the increasing numbness in their paws. Up ahead, they see fog stretching vastly into the distance. They whimper as they try to trudge forward, their whiskers feel like shivering icicles.

I can't do it. Periwinkle collapses onto the ground. They sink into the endless white as their eyelids become heavy. It's okay, I'll just rest here a little while.

The cold darkness envelops them; they welcome it in defeat.

Periwinkle blinks open their eyes in surprise as they see the ground distant from beneath their paws. The snowy pines whizz by as flakes tickle their cheeks.

"Wh–What? What's happening…?" They meow half-asleep as they feel their legs dangle beneath them. They eventually notice soft paws holding them from above and the sound of feathered wings. Before they can process anymore, they drift back into unconsciousness.

…

Hundun pushes through the frigid air. Her wings flap in heavy repetition against the wind. She gently holds the soft cat to make sure they are secure in her grasp. You're going to be okay, she thinks, half to them, half to herself.

After flying for a long time, Hundun exhales a deep sigh of relief when her nose starts to gain feeling again. She picks up faint scents as they leave the tundra. I'm going in the right direction. Her muscles relax when the tense wind fades into a light breeze. Sunlight shines on her fur and melts the cold away.

When Hundun catches the scents of many blooming flowers, she slowly glides to the ground, landing gently in the meadow. Once her paws reach the grass, she lays the cat down beside her underneath a willow tree. She cautiously sniffs her nose close to them. They're so cold… Instinctively, she wraps herself around them and rests her long tail on their back. The sun's warm beams dance on her back as she covers the cat with a large, feathered wing. I hope they'll be okay…

…

Periwinkle blinks sleep from their eyes as they feel enveloped by soft warmth. What happened? They look around to see a large, winged pink and blue canine curled around them. I must be dreaming, they gaze around the flowery meadow. Puffy white clouds blend into the bright blue sky above. Birds sweetly chirp, flitting past the willow tree they rest by. Periwinkle soon notices the canine starting to wake. She raises her head and smells the air, her concerned yellow eyes shine like gold in the sunlight.

"Oh– um, hello!" Periwinkle nervously mews to the big creature. "How did I get here? The last thing I remember is being in the snow." She doesn't respond as she sniffs closer to them, pressing her nose into their fur. She seems to breathe a sigh of relief when she realizes they are awake. The canine then stands up. Periwinkle begins to follow her but she firmly rests her tail on their back to make them sit back down.

"Do you want me to stay here?" The canine does not respond, but jumps up and flies away towards the sea. I guess that's a yes. Wow, she's fast! They lightly laugh to themself, relieved to be in the warmth of the meadow. It definitely seems a lot safer here, I think she wants to help me.

…

Hundun approaches a market by the shore. The scents of fish and fruit fill the air. Her head starts to hurt as she smells the many other creatures pushing past her in the crowd. The sun hangs high in the sky at noon, a typical time for this market to be busy. I need to find food for them, something sweet. The canine feels her paws along the dirt that eventually turn to sand as the scent of the shore comes closer. The ocean breeze ruffles her fluffy fur and she stands for a moment to take it in.

She stretches her wings in the air contentedly until a scent catches her attention and she turns back towards the market. Hundun comes across a wooden stand and traces her paws over its sign. Melons, perfect. The canine examines each one with her nose until she finds the sweetest one, a honeydew. She places coins on the counter and the seller gives the melon to her in a bag that she holds in her jaws. She nods in thanks before flying into the air.

…

Periwinkle looks up to see the pink canine flying in the sky before gliding down towards the willow tree. She places a bag she was holding in her jaws onto the ground.

"You're back! I didn't get to ask earlier, what's your name? I'm Periwinkle." The canine pushes the bag with a paw, sending a melon rolling towards them. It stops at Periwinkle's paws, and they look down at it and smile. A honeydew.

The canine sits beside them before ripping open the melon with her jaws. I don't think she can hear or see me, that's okay, she seems really nice! They touch their paw to hers then attempt to tactilely sign.

"Hello, I'm Periwinkle!" They think of the melon beside them. "Is your name… Honeydew?"

The canine giggles then responds, "My name is Hundun."

"Hey, I was close!" They tactilely signal laughter with their paw on her arm. "Also, how did I get here? I think I was in the snow before."

Hundun thinks for a moment before responding, "I found you alone in the snow, you were shivering, so cold. I had to help you, so I carried you here."

Periwinkle smiles, feeling warm as they trace a smile on Hundun's outstretched green paw pads. Hundun's face soon turns from pink to red. The winged creature shyly moves her paws in rhythm with Periwinkle's to ask, "Can we be… friends?"

The purple cat immediately responds, "Yes!!"

Hundun traces a smile on Periwinkle's paw.