Hidden Winter Secrets

The burning sensation slowly faded from Sundara's eyes, which threatened to spill over with tears in a desperate attempt to soothe themselves while they were momentarily shielded by the frigid air. Fortunately, she managed to keep her eyes tame, preferring not to see her facial fur dampened and encrusted with ice. Snow was certainly pretty, but the longer winter drew on, the easier she felt it was to grow sick of it. It was reflective, monotonous, and disorienting in the large amounts that tended to accumulate. It wasn't kind to any part of her, whether her pelt or her eyes.

But at least she was equipped to navigate it. A scent, delicate and somehow vaguely familiar (it seemed they had a mutual acquaintance), wafted past her nostrils as she stood there, alerting her to the presence of another. Ears perking, 'Dara opened her eyes and desensitized them with a swift blink before bringing her refreshed vision down upon an earthen woman in the distance. So small, she was, that she looked almost comical standing amidst the powder, but the larger femme knew that she hardly looked typical herself. 'Dara stood there for a moment, tilting her head in anticipation of words or an approach, but when the stranger's apprehension persisted, she decided to be the one to coax her out of her shell.

"What, do I really look so imposing?" she said through a chuckle, turning slowly to face the stranger. Snow crunched loudly under her towering form. "I would say I'm offended, but truly I'm flattered." After all, what was there to dislike about having a figure that made others--potentially including unfavorable company--stop in their tracks? "Afternoon, stranger. My name is Sundara. And you?"

"Speech"

word count: 272