| contains: mature language |
(profanity)

| may be a little graphic for imaginative readers|

          "Are you feeling any better?" The place had fallen dark and cold; Ashmont continuously was sprinkled with white powder, covering those once brown soil and stony pathways into nothing but a part of the snowy floor itself. By then, they had found themselves a modest eatery; it was packed for the dinner rush, but despite that, it was mildly deafeningly silent on Marshall and Everest's end. 

          The Dally's mood had somewhat improved after that meal; after drinking the aromatic black tea, it helped him rejuvenate his once broken soul. That of soulful device that's encaged and has been breaking down ever since has finally unbottled the bitter moments he's been longing to keep; now refreshed, it seems like the past is a mere memory that caused him a great sour feeling.

          A feeling that when looked back upon, showcases nothing but worthless and shallow woes. Quietly, he asked himself if tearing himself bare at that moment was even necessary.

          "Y.. Yeah, I'm feeling better now, thank you," he smiles "Hey, listen.. About earlier? I'm sorry you had to see that and for dealing with my crap." Everest was understanding and made it clear that his earlier dilemma was nothing "Really, I'm glad you've finally gotten that off your chest. I know how it feels like to be in it."

          He smiles again. But then came another natural silence washing over them, the Husky was still occupied with her meal, and as for him, he'd just finished it recently and is now just finishing the tea that's clasped between his paws.

          Looking at the seeming bottomless cup of the black tea, no longer does he see himself frowning and having these horrible thoughts about himself. What reflects back upon this tea water, is a renewed soul — of all the million things he could shame himself in front of this reflective beverage, he could only think of a beautiful night with fireflies dancing freely within it, or the freezing sensation of the snowflakes falling delicately as you catch on yourself with your tongue.

          For once, he smiles at the void he once despises so greatly. As he reflects onto these things, he remembered her remark of "I've once been there." She hadn't really gotten into detail of why she thinks she could relate greatly to his earlier situation, and so, he asked this to her.

          "Ah, that.."

          "You've only told me you were left by that someone."

          "Yeah, they did. I was like you. Absolutely frustrated at myself for being such a disappointment in the pack."

          "But it's not your fault. They just couldn't see your worth as they are only caught within their own desires."

          "But so are you!"

          "That's a different story. Hadn't I told you I was an ungrateful pr*ck to my mom?"

          "But you are sorry, aren't you?"

          "Of course! Perhaps back then, I wouldn't have the same answer." He shrugs in response, to only end their conversation in abrupt silence once more. At the recall of that past situation, he remembered how he blamed mostly his mom, which then only shifted into a burning desire of hatred towards him for his ill self. Greatly, had he loathed himself for years, and every time he looks back to the reflective object that hangs so idly, he sees his enemies — thousands of them — looking at him with disgust.

          The Husky skimmed her eyes elsewhere, which is back to the meal she's supposed to be consuming. Stealing glances from the Dalmatian, it seemed he was deep in thought as he looks out of the window with a somber expression, and she felt sorry for him for going through all that; as a child, he probably was traumatized and overwhelmed at the thought that the only one who he could trust and rely on was gone, and for certain she would be. She couldn't help but take notice of him as if he were in the spotlight

          "Get up," she said in the midst of their silence, which took the Dally by storm as he had a look as if he were hit by a gust of wind. Confused, he oddly followed her anyway, tailing behind the Husky who seems to have requested to go outside.

          As the night snow continued to pound hard softly onto the already thick sheet of a blizzard, snowflakes trickled upon his fur and iced the tips of it, giving a freezing sensation within every touch as it thaws on his coat.

          He flinched at the sensation and realized this has been the first time he'd had winter without clothing ever since then. Hence why he probably never thought of the icky feeling of ice rubbing upon him. At that moment, he too found out why he hated the snow so much despite those smiles he ployed.

          At the midst of a peaceful and dingy forest, there laid a Dalmatian, snuggled within the cozy fur of his mother, both in deep slumber as the world continues to do its thing. The ground built up in mass gradually, yet the temperature kept persistently frigid and dark.

          With the hushed night stretching into hours, like a beautiful piece produced by Vivaldi, it slowly escalated into more of a progressive one. The beat played faster, and so did the crackle; this alerted the young pup, and had immediately stood up on his tracks and ran away.

          In that process, he hoped his mother would have taken notice of his presence gone and soon go after him. But fatigue had cast her in a deep spell and felt nothing nor heard anything, she lays there like Briar Rose, though her fate was being altered all too quickly before it could be helped. Unfortunately, she wasn't written in a way a prince charming would come and save her as she's on the brink of her demise.

          Perhaps it was meant to be. But Marshall had the power to choose, yet he instead froze at the sight of the flame covering her body whole, as the trees ominously flicker of lights as if it were a seance. Why was he unable to move?

          The answer had dawned upon him as he grew up, realizing why he was powerless at that point and why he despised the snow so greatly. Recalling those times, he felt as if though the skies were punishing him by means of giving him frostbites. A feeling similar to burning, except of course, it's the polar opposite. As he stood there, pairs of eyes pierced right through him with a glare.

          "Where are we going?" Whines Marshall, as he walked with a heavy heart along the mounds of snow, which Everest looked back at him and smiled at him warmly "You'll see, just trust me!"

          This mystery that Everest persists to keep irks him greatly, as he quickly grew more and more sick of the weather condition itself, wanting to wipe away the entity off of him. But for some reason, he just couldn't bear leaving her alone, even if it means he gets more soaked in snow.

          Silence stretched, and the only evident sound being created were the crisp snow being broken into pieces, every puff of smoke turned into a blurry vision; soon, Everest had halted upon her tracks, which Marshall took notice and followed her action and looked everywhere to find any contextual object to reveal her reason in bringing him out here.

          "Do you see that?" She whispers, almost too quiet to hear when situated upon an obstreperous setting, luckily it was the opposite of that. He swiped his optics, following to where her snoot had pointed itself, and upwards amongst these black atmospheres, the skies had gifted them of a sporadic phenomenon.

          It gleamed majestically in front of a jet-black canvas; delicately, the stellar fabric rippled in the atmosphere with evident green hues and had a red undertone to it; the longer had he glued his eyes upon these surreal events, the more he thought of it as the night's rainbow.

          "Northern Lights." She hummed with scintillating eyes relative to Marshall's, he looked upon these colorful curtains as if he were an infant seeing bursting colors for the first time; mouths were opened much more than mere agape, and seeing his expression was truly a treasure and moment to cherish.

          Marshall shed a tear at the beauty the lights have performed; despite being situated in the dark where almost everyone could never see its glory — all are in deep slumber to shift from night to day, it persevered to shine no matter what and it still looked celestial even if it's gotten a dark background. This event, a spontaneous and little moment, surprisingly made a mark on him greatly, and he's not sure why.. But something about looking upon these peaceful lights was comforting to him, like a lullaby.

          He looked to Everest, who is looking at the skies still, he couldn't help but crack a scanty smile to himself.

          The Husky flinched once she realized Marshall had decided to lay his furry head onto her shoulders, his eyes were glued to the ground, yet he is smiling fondly in quietude. She couldn't be bothered to shake him off of her, he looked so peaceful and content for once.

          To herself, she quietly was in triumph that she managed to lighten the load on Marshall's, or at least keep his thoughts off from that until he could completely sort out what to do with it. "I'm glad he enjoys the Northern Lights as much as I do."

         Continuously, the lights were still on display, and the night grew older and obviously more frigid, Everest didn't bother the temperature much, but sharing warmth with a friend was endearing to her, and couldn't help but lay her head onto his as they sat there still.

          Evidently, she could hear his steady and peaceful breaths, his once cool body soon warmed up, and from then on, the evening seemed more colorful and brighter than ever. As they lay there in peace, the world continued to revolve around the scorching ball of a star, people continued to push themselves in and out of the doors and lifted the sheet of comforting blanket onto their bodies.

          Breaking the silence, the Dally spoke his thoughts, which she entertained anyway "You are too kind Everest. You don't deserve the world to cruelly treat you.." he trailed off in contemplation. She could only skim her eyes from him and to the skies as she could only be left mute and wordless upon his response.

          "I don't think you've done anything wrong enough for you to deserve all.. This. Me on the other paw, did a lot of horrible unforgivable mistakes, yet I'm given a blessing?"

          Silence, that's all she said and did this for a long period of time; truly she was taken aback by his erratic mumbles and hadn't set her mind to properly respond to that. All she was expecting was that perhaps he'd tell her that they should go somewhere to settle down for the night, but definitely not this.

           "You're amazing.. And I feel like the biggest idiot for blowing my steam to you."

          The Husky giggled at this and patted his head "Hey, why are you suddenly so dramatic? I thought were past this? Hadn't you apologized earlier already?" there was a smile painted on her lips in an attempt to lighten up the mood, but I don't think it made any difference as Marshall began to whimper, and soon enough, he was crying.

          Rolling her blue irises, she pulled him into a hug — a bear hug — which made Marshall hiccup in an attempt to laugh at the same time, he wished that she'd stop clasping him in between her arms as he's suffocating in his emotions, and his mind had decided to laugh and cry to toy with him — which by the way, isn't the best to mix with.

          "I-i'm sooorryyyyy" he whined comically, which Everest could only laugh at as she provides him solace by means of a hug and rub. As his episode came to an end, from the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of two ominous glowing gray eyes, the surrounding environment that hosts these were completely dark and only gives away little to no ability to identify what lies beyond it.

          Leaping on his paws, he stood in front and growled in an attempt to scare the predator. Everest was surprised by his spontaneous action, because a while ago he was a sobbing mess, and now he seemed back to normal and is very alert — his senses geared to a hundred. Looking to where he is faced forward at, she too saw the same glowing lights that he saw.

          It then rustled awfully quick for them to comprehend, which only alerted the Dally more. "Get ready," whispers the Dally to her, which she nodded in response and stood up, just in case he needed back up and the predator they'll be battling is twice their size.

rustle.. RUSTLE.. SHAAA

          Before they could scream, it appeared of a fox that didn't draw nearer to them, instead, had only stepped out of the shadow. Because of his extreme confusion, he couldn't help but tilt his head to muster what was happening in front of him. Not a minute longer, everything seemed to become less confusing once he saw him dashing forth the lavender furred-canine.

          "Everest, oh my.. Everest! I've missed you so much!" were the first words the unnamed figure said, to which Everest responded with ecstatic surprise in her voice upon acknowledging its presence.

          "This must be fate! You have no idea how glad I am to see you." and then the Husky broke into tears and dug deeper into the hug as she wept in his arms, and he held her tight and had his eyes shut, feasibly to halt himself from leaking such emotional substance.

          Feeling awkward, he quietly excused himself out of the scene and walked farther from where they were at. He couldn't bear the tense aura that's suffocating him, and not to mention, he didn't like the idea of meddling in their personal issues. "So that's probably that someone she's talking about earlier?" which he scoffed humorously to himself "What a coincidence."

          Walking aimlessly along with these fields of snow, he noticed that the lights were no longer there and had seemed it had already taken its leave. He's not sure what time it already is, but it definitely had gone much colder, and he really could use his sweater right now. Unfortunately for him, he carelessly left his belongings two straits away from where he stands "Dammit. Why did I have to be so frustrated?" 

          Kicking over the mounds of white-hued entities to release his stress, he sighed at finally acknowledging this annoying thought that grew on him, something he was unable to shake off ever since he left that scene.

»»——⍟——««

          "Time for bed, sweetie." Calls an older dalmatian, to which the youngen responded with stubbornness and tantrum. The pup pouted in disapproval of the idea and rebelliously sat far away from the area they would always slumber.

          But this wasn't the first round-up she's encountering, with ease, she just picked him up and brought him to the place and trapped him with her embrace purposefully, so he'll be unable to escape her and instead allow the situation to allude him to sleep.

          Saltily, the young pup remarked "I didn't like it mom. The food. It's so slimy and icky!" the mom had only laughed at his complaint and hugged him tightly, resting her head onto his.

          "Don't worry, I'll try a better meal tomorrow." She smiles in an apprehensive smile, teeth glistening despite the time being well considered as night. The boy looked upon her hazel eyes with fondness, which immediately turned into something "sour" and looked away instantly "R-really? You better be sure about that."

          Grinning over to her son, she promised whole-heartedly that she will fulfill that, and scavenge for a meal that would be less slimy and icky for his taste. "Goodnight Mom," he tells her, licking her face before they drifted off to sleep. Soon, the mom fell asleep as well as her lids grew heavier for her to stay conscious.

          Probably an hour or so have passed, the young pup noticed something unusual — there was an unnerving cackle and continuous breakage of fallen sticks, which shook his senses to wake. Attempting to wriggle out of her arms, he took notice that there was a large flame coming forth them. He screamed loudly and dashed as far as he could.

          In the process of doing so, he hoped that his mother would be awoken by his rowdy display and take leave that instance. But he had mistaken reality for fantasy and that sometimes, luck doesn't always go your way.

          As he stood there in the distance, him pinpointed atop on a small hill, he found his mom being engulfed wholly by the dangerous fire, its ravenous flame smirking wickedly at him, mocking every bit of him as he just wipes away seventy percent of his childhood.

           Losing the capability to utter, beyond those towering trees that curtain the culprit behind the making of the ill outcome, he found a pack of foxes that all laugh in triumphant — mercilessly. All eyes scintillating in evident hunger and contorted victory.

          Something he found odd, was a wolf seeming figure, colored in a light purplish fur, which in the past had he not thought of it one bit, but oddly subconsciously carried with him all along.

          From then on, he stood in that same frigid ground, elevated among the scenery that stood below him. That same pack he'd seen in his past — the past he truly wanted to forget, something that haunts him over and over again no matter how old the time goes.

           Everything was repeating itself again. From afar, he could hear their animated evil laughter. One orange beam that appears to be small from where he's at soon grew rapidly fast and was quadruple its original size. Before he knew it, history was repeating itself, the catch? It's an excerpt with its own rendition.

»»——⍟——««

          "I've missed you!" Her cries had dissipated into nothing, and she no longer was hiccuping in between tears, yet she still has her arms wrapped around his body, still in complete disbelief that he's actually there.

          Never did she think twice whether it was tight or not, I just don't think I could bear the thought of you gone again is what she thought to herself quietly, still embracing him tightly with her lavender-colored fur.

          As the moment slowly ended, another one begins. Eirwen threaded his paws on her forehead and left kisses on them, to only go back hugging her once more. He hadn't said anything yet, it's all been gestures lately, and Everest kind of felt the reason why he was like this.

           When his chest was near enough for her to hear it, that steady beat of his oddly had a different tune. It felt like there were about a thousand words he wanted to tell her, but she knows him too well that of he did, he'd only begin crying.

           Not too soon though, his eyes had managed to dampen a certain spot of her fur, the area where he buried himself as he grounds himself to reality.

          "There, there you cry baby." She chuckles to herself as she witnesses him struggling not to cry in front of her, for some reason, she finds it funny even though it is not on his end. As she wipes away the salt that stained his cheeks, the fox looked at her with a sweet and simple simper.

          But as she remembered she had left someone, making up her mind, she decided to wrap things up, as the thought of ditching someone for another someone is rude. 'What're you doing here?"

          Upon question, eyes widened from the male fox, exhibiting his dull galaxy-like pupils. Appearing crestfallen in her eyes, his orbs fell from where they were and had let go of her, reality seeming to finally seep into their world.

          "The pack has fallen into famine, and each day they grow more and more hostile. I've been searching for any source, but no my dismay.. They have resorted to our old ways."

          It was now her turn to open her eyes widely in pure disbelief and shock. "Alright, let's do this together. You go locate them, while I find back-up." She commands him, to which he nodded in return and retrieved his steps — millions back.

          Everest on the other hand, had retraced loose strings, and had hoped they weren't buried nor tucked away just yet. Of course though, that was wishful thinking, but she's just surprised at how she found him easily, despite not having any contextual clues surrounding her.

          "Marshall!" The Husky calls with a grinding in both her voice and expression; as she fast approaches him, it just had seemed awfully familiar. The way he has his back forth her and his figure being cast into a black silhouette and had only parts that lit his features up.

           Oddly enough? There was something up with him, and it clearly does not show him any happier.

          Drawing nearer, she felt as if she were walking on spikes all over again, seeking forth what lies beyond these walls that have appeared yet again. Stiff body with tensing thoughts that swarmed her head, she felt as though a wrecking ball bashed her upon hearing his mutters.

          "What do you mean.. By me?" As her brows raised in confusion and worry. He'd swiftly turned his head forth her, and he was glaring at her again with those icy orbs of his.

          Simply staring longer into those, tears threatened to fall down and wished it hadn't had happened so soon, and that everything she did to make him happy, and all those apologies he just said.. Were they truly just an illusion?

           From square one, doubts had always pulsed within the mind, and like a DNA that's stitched to you biologically, your history will always leak no matter the condition. It's only a matter of time.

          "You were with that fox, weren't you?" He hissed underneath his breath, mere fangs turned into a demand tool. In the gist of fear, all she could do was laugh at this.

          "Very funny Marshall," She scoffed, drawing nearer to pat his shoulder and hope that was all it. In the process of doing so, he halted her paws from even laying a single paw on him.

          Everest finally knew that.. This was the real deal, he seemed genuinely furious and she doesn't know why. She never did. She too, slowly got equally as furious as him.

           "Didn't you say you were in a pack with him right?"

          "Yeah, and so?"

        As he shove past her, his chest rose and fell rapidly, brows creased into an inclined manner — almost meeting in the midst of it. Paws were clenched into a very compressed ball, and he could only grit in anger as he attempted to conceal the words he might say.

          A thousand armored voyage that was concealed, only sealed within a lip and a voice.

          "You know Marshall? I never understood a single f*ck about you. All we ever did was fight and make-up; giving me false hope that we could be friends." Her wick had finally snapped, and the last strand of it was gone within a blink of an eye, the outcome was not a mere hiss of embers, but resulted in a not-so spectacular display of fireworks.

          "I've tried my best to be a good person, understand you in every way because you've gone through a lot, but DAMMIT MARSHALL. You are so f*cking hard to deal with."

            Biting his tongue until it bled for mercy, he closed his eyes and had shut his sense of hearing — he wanted nothing but to be excluded from this narrative. Something about all this just makes him unable to do anything but silence.

           Though things worsen, and Everest's voice just reverberates amongst the walls he surrounded himself with, bringing those guilty thoughts he is mistaken for banishing them for good — unfortunately? It seems it's back and stronger than ever, ever-equipped with daggers and chains.

          ".. Everest. Please shut up." He whispered helplessly, still remaining to encaged himself more.

          Every moment just became suffocating, and the place he twice came across — he found himself along its shorelines, and now he's being tugged greatly by the current.

          The difference though was that he didn't even fight its force; despite the pedestal where his body's command center sits atop is being crushed tenfold and bled his eyes for mercy, he liked the idea of his ears vitiating in sheer affliction as he slowly lost control over the main command.

          "Come on you coward! Just yell all those sh*t thoughts you had on me. I know you hate every bit of me, why refrain yourself?" A loud and chaotic musical parade had encircled his perimeter.

           Every beat was a hammer down to these cement fortifications that tower higher than you and me. Every crack was every warning and threat that it would unleash all the beasts he'd been trying to conceal. Twice, had he let them out, and thrice would not be ideal. But that vision no longer came true, as the strike shook the whole ground, unearthing the wicked side of his' that wished to be just completely defunct out of existence.

           "I CAN'T DO IT CAUSE I F*CKING LOVE YOU, OKAY?" He yelled on the top of his lungs, creating a minor disturbance in their surroundings as a few bundles of snow that rest loosely onto the delicately attached leaves had fallen out effortlessly. Persisting, he still had his back faced towards her, and he had no intention to face her after that. All he wanted was to run, dig a hole and hibernate forever.

          Everest had only scoffed in irk "LIKE H*LL YOU DO! IF YOU HAD, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HURT ME IN THE FIRST PLACE."

          Before their banter could stretch any longer, a loud explosion was heard from the setting below them, and the fire had grown much wilder and deadlier.

          It wouldn't be much of an issue if the only thing they'll be tackling would be just the surroundings, but from where they stood, a humble cabin is in the midst of the chaos, oblivious to its nearing demise.

          One look is all it took, and both knew they'll settle this later and dashed forth the scene that promptly. Upon arrival, to their horror, the fire had completely trickled the area, mischievously biting away the diorama pieces atom by atom.

          His eyes looked from top to bottom and assessed the needed procedure for what to do in this state of crisis. Clearly, he was unequipped of devices, utensils, and livery, making him consider things thrice as much before taking action. One wrong move and the operation would fail.

          Finally having a solid plan, he requested the Husky to remain where she is, though came and demanded she goes instead.

          As clear as her intentions, Marshall didn't like her idea one bit and insisted she stayed, using every power that's within him, hoping and hoping that she'd listen to him this once.

          Every bit of him was just tearing apart, and everything became overwhelmingly painful to comprehend. Something stung within his chest and which flicked on the switch of his tears leaking down.

          "Will you let me go?" Piqued Everest, as she had tunnel vision forth her one and only goal.

          Violently, he purposefully tripped Everest to halt her from charging right through danger. "Are you out of your damned mind? You're going to get yourself killed!" He glares at her with his morning sky-hued irises, it may seem like a scowl but everyone knows that's not what his orbs apprise.

          "No, but do you want the fact the child burnt to death because we didn't help in your conscience?" Before Marshall could any further protest his case, he was continuously bombarded by the Husky's words — which results of him being unable to speak his own supposition.

       "Fine. If you're not going to do anything. I'll do it myself," declared Everest, angrily. Marshall, quite unpleased with the Husky's bold action: yelled loudly at the top of his lungs "Why the heck are you so keen on saving them even when you're going to hurt yourself?"

          Sharply turning her head towards the Dalmatian, in between those frigid atmospheres that stand between them, she loudly — but almost muddled to Marshall, yelled "I'm here to prove you AND especially myself that I am not useless." before she rapidly dashed towards the growing danger that awaits her.

»»——⍟——««

          And that was why I was trying to stop you from your antics and put myself in front of the lines instead. I didn't want history to rewind itself, because.. You might be the next someone I'll lose to the vicious flames.