As the day wore on, ever so slowly a light brown child of the wind made her way through the winter wonderland. Thoughtful of the realm around her, Rosalia kept her golden eyes trained to the glistening ground at her feet. It was a known fact that before she took any steps forward, the ground before her had to be analyzed. Even though it was beautiful, the white coating across the once green landscape lied. If she didn't check to make sure that she could touch the ground before she stuck a hoof in, Rosalia was positive that she'd get stuck. After all, back in the frozen tundra where she once resided in, if she never checked she'd get stuck all the time in the deep drifts of snow.
Suddenly a noise, like the tinkling of a bell, drove the rose adorned foal to raise her head away from the icy landscape. With ears upturned and pointing straight up towards the sky, Rosalia resembled a deer in fright. Her stomach turned as her mind worked quickly to place where the sound came from.
Was it someone to fear? Did she have time to run and hide? Would they attack? Would she ever see Juan and his gentle eyes again? Hear his smooth voice beckon her close and push away all her fears?
Rosalia didn't know what to expect until her eyes fell upon the maker of the sound. There was no beast to fear when she saw who stood before her. Nor was there a reason to flee or hide. The great monster she had painted upon the walls of her mind was actually a pretty little filly dancing in the shivering cold.
For a moment Rosalia was struck with awe as the youth jumped and glittered in the land around her. She certainly fit the scenery well, as if she belonged in it. Just the opposite of herself.
But now that she had identified the one creating the giggles and haunting laughter, Rosalia didn't know what other step she was supposed to take. Was it best if she ran over and asked to join in on the hopping or skipping? Perhaps she should warn her of just how deep the snow could become? Or maybe, Rosalia realized, it would be best if she remained hidden behind the old tree she was in back of now.
The little filly may have gotten away with hiding from the other if only she hadn't turned herself around and fell into a patch of snow. Oh what a shriek she released when the cold enveloped her body and snatched away the little warmth she possessed. Even the birds who had been happily preening themselves in the trees above flew away when they heard her.
