The winter chill was setting in and Rin was positive if Bu'kee and Dele were out there alive somewhere, they'd be cold and Dele would be aching and miserable, huddled into her (gorgeous, wonderful, handsome) brother to avoid it. Rin was sure if her family survived, they were huddled up in the warmest cuddle pile ever, asnd she - well, she was going to do her part. While unsure of needing furs herself - after all, the female could always find some kind servant to huddle with if it was maybe okay - there was still others - cubs and the elderly, the birds and theothers in-pride. She knew of a cheetah with a grown son needing love and warmth and so Rin set out to do her part.

The cold mountain air was refreshing and she moved through the area on careful paws, mouth quiet as she felt her way through snow towards a more suitable location.

A recent, smaller landslide had given way to a small grouping of animals being crushed; mostly ratels and primates, and small and near-useless they were, the pelts were needed for the young, and Rin set to pulling a carcass out, the female son sitting to begin skinning them.

The work was peaceful and she hummed as she worked, claws flying as she coaxed the damaged pelts from the bodies with care. They'd waited a while and Rin sighed, watching before a young voice piped out, startling her.

"Hello, do not mind a silly flute player, we have come to eat." The voice said happily. Rin looked, eyes big in surprise, and a young male rogue bounced over, beaming happily. Rin blinked.

"Oh, uh, ah... Hello. Who are you?" She asked, swallowing as she coaxed a pelt from the carcass she'd begun. He beamed.

"This one is Kakariko, ma'am, and we are pleased to see you! Oh, we are? Oh, my, yes we are! It has been since the cuuckoos last crowed and the sky moved that we've seen others, what is your name miss flower?"

The gray and white leopard beamed innocently enough, and Rin tried looking brave, looking at best like a cub tryng yo look stern, and the male just blinked, beaming.

"Anyhow, we heard that there was a group looking for fur and we are a very good hunter, ever so good!" The masle puffed, and Rin blinked, head tilting as she looked to the ragged pelts she'd found mid-skin.

"Oh... Really? Can you skin them?" She asked. Kakariko blinked, and shrugged.

"We are not skinners, sily bird-back lady, we're musicians! We sing and play music and dance!" Kakariko nodded, beaming. "We are very good. Would Bird-Back like to see?"

Before Rin could answer, he opened his mouth to sing, and Rin squealed, moving to her haunches and put her paws on his maw.

"No, no, Kakariko, that's fine! And, uhm, I'm Rin."

Kakariko blinked, beaming happily.

"Well! I shall call you bird-back lady, for you are a lovely bird-back and I hope you find happiess in hunt!" He chirped, and rose, as if to leave. Rin jumped to her paws, batting him a moment and he turned, still smiling brightly.

"Wait! You're looking for the pride, right?" She asked.

"Oh yes! We must hurry to end the suffering of the tiny cubs before they make mistakes leading to the abandoning of fathers!"

Rin simply blinked, and nodded.

"Right... I can take you if you want to help hunt." She motioned. "I have to take these home with me anyhow, so you're welcome to come along."

Kakariko beamed, bouncing in place.

"Oh, yes, we would like to join bird-back around the snowy land of magical goodness!" He chirped. Rin nodded, rapidly finishing as Kakariko broke into what he couned a skinning song, and she rolled her eyes, giggling.

"Alright, follow me. We can try hunting again in the morning. There's plenty in need of furs." She said softly. Kakariko nodded with a mock paw-salute and bounded around her in circles, picking up a tattered pelt before following as Rin began walking toward the pride. Kakariko hummed, dancing as he followed with cub-like joy on his face and she mused, looking back.

"So do you have a pride?" She asked. Kakariko shook his head.

"No! Kakariko is all alone, he has left his father and is now wandering." The makle nodded. Rin blinked, and frowned.

"I'm sorry." She said. Kakariko looked down a moment, Rin pausing to wonder if his change in speech meant he was ill.

"We left our father as a young leopard. We were foolish but cannot find him now, our father is gone. Gone away from us and possibly a cloud." He whispered. Rin sighed, nosing him gently.

"Hey now... Hey. You can stay while you hunt, and maybne the queen will let you stay." She assured. Kakariko sniffled.

"Does bird-back lady think so?" He asked. Rin nodded.

"I do! Now lets get you there. You can get nice and warm, and we'll turn these in and you can get something to eat, maybe meet some others." She assured. Kakariko smiled again faintly, sniffling.

"Perhaps we can see if there is a nice one who can find Kakariko's father?" He asked. He switched tenses rapidly, and Rin took it as a mark of distress, and she smiled, shrugging.

"It's possible! I'm not sure if there's anyone, but it can't hurt to look around and ask, and besides, they'll all be happy to hear some music. We can do with some spirit lifting."

Kakariko beamed, perking as he did.

"Kakariko would like that, yes! We would love to sing and play for others, bird-back lady!"

Back was the youthful delight and the practical dancing as the male danced around, beaming to Rin as she giggled, shaking her head.

He was an overgrown cub, and if nothing else they could hunt in the morning for hopefully better. They needed it - and besides, ice meant possibility.

There was hope, at least, and she moved for home cheerfully, Kakariko bounding after almost like a puppy, innocently smiling as he danced along. This was a good day for him, and he liked making new friends, the smile glowing again as they disappeared up the mountain.