The cranberry Usdia shivered as the cold wind blew, causing some snow to fall off the tree branches and onto her head; she jumped at the sudden chill and frowned to herself when the snow slid down to the ground. She could tell that winter was ending, but the snow was still around... It was beautiful to look at, but she was starting to get tired of eating only tree bark for all three meals. Her mouth watered as she thought of the sweet berries that would soon grow in spring; thinking happy thoughts was a sure way of getting rid of negative emotions! Giving a small smile, Grace carried on happily towards the river running through the forest.

Bella spent much of her time nowadays in a comfortable cave she had found for herself in the nearby forest, it was warm and comfy, covered with soft new moss and dried hay and leaves for bedding from the previous summer. With the spring coming it wasn't as cold as it used to be, and she was able to venture out. Shivering a little she picked her way from her cave, the chill making her trot to get her blood flowing, knowing to most she was little more than a flowered blur of blue and white moving through the snow. She loved running when the chill didn't bite her as much, she would love when the spring came and everything flowered~ that was her time. But till then, she puffed a cloud of warm air into the wind and made her way to the river which ran through the trees, one thing you could always count on here, a good cold drink. Little did she know there was soon to be another joining her.

Grace's smile widened as she heard the sound of running water in the distance and immediately quickened her pace; at least in winter, the water was always cold. Although too cold to play or bathe in, it was a great temperature to take a nice, long drink from. As the sound of running water became louder and louder, she found herself trotting faster and faster until finally, something shimmering could be seen through the foilage. Breaking out of the snow covered bushes, she hurried over to the water's edge and lowered her neck. As her maw entered the freezing cold water, Grace shivered, pulling it out of the water for a moment before putting it back in; eating bark had another downside to it... It made her unbelievably thirsty.

"Ah... That was great!" The mare commented to nobody in particular as she straightened back up, flicking her tail. It was obvious from her wide grin that she was contented, but as she stared at her own reflection in the river water, she muttered, "But I still can't wait till spring arrives..."

Bella found the stream quite easily, thrusting her muzzle into the chilling water and drinking deep of it. There wasn't much to eat in this season but the promise was there and the water was good and fresh. She shivered a little and stomped her hooves to get the blood flowing again. " Goodness it's cold~ no wonder everyone stays inside." She looked around, stepping across a little bridge of logs someone had created long ago and picking her way silently through the snow, in search of something to nibble on when she stopped cold, staring in awe at a bright little spot of red a little bit away from her, practically popping out of the white landscape. " Wow...it's an Usdia~!! a real one...why i've never seen...goodness~!!" she quietly padded over to the little one, not wanting to startle her but not knowing if she would be friendly or not either. She decided to go for it, being a couple feet away already she cleared her throat and pipped up " aahhh, i'm sure everyone else is thinking the same thing, waiting for spring huh?"

"Huh?" Grace looked up, eyes wide with surprise as she took two steps back from the shock. Realizing that it was just another Soquili, albeit a full sized one, and not something to be afraid of, the usdia giggled, feeling rather silly. Nodding her head, she trotted towards the other female with a warm smile, glad for some company; during winter, most prefer to stay hidden in their shelters... It gets a little lonely, waiting for it to stop snowing alone. Nodding her head, Grace continued wistfully, "Yup, waiting for spring! Can't wait till the forest is covered in green again and for the plants to start to bear fruit! It seems that food is what I miss the most every winter!"

Giving a giggle, she looked closely at the other female, "So, are you from around here?"

Bella smiled as she little Usdia recovered quickly from her surprise and bounced through the snow to her, all smiles and happy. She looked down kindly at her and nodded " i can't as well, spring is my favorite season you know~ what with all the flowers, she shook her shoulders a little, indicating her flowered pelt " but maybe it's just me!" she let out a good natured laugh and eyed her companion " I'm Bella Lillian by the way, Bella for short~" she tilted her head a little " so, what's your name? i must admit i was surprised when i saw you, i normally don't see many of your kind around!"

"Well, flowers are really pretty to look at! You can't help but feel happy when faced with a field of flowers!" Grace nodded in agreement, giving a smile, "But I like spring because there is always enough food in spring! And its not too hot like summer, nor too cold like winter... I think its the best season of the year! Everything is new and just right."

She then paused, her expression changing to one of mild surprise as she laughed, "Oh! Of course! My name is Grace! I guess I was so busy rambling away that I forgot to introduce myself..." At Bella's next comment, the female sighed, "I haven't seen much of my own kind around either... I think it might be due to the fact that we're smaller and easier to miss... Especially now that its winter and all the white can be so blinding!"

Bella smiled at Grace and nodded " very true, there is plenty of fresh things to eat in the Spring time~ just after winter when they're just beginning to color~ very tasty indeed, much better than bark and dried things, right?" smiles " you have a lovely name, and a very vibrant coat i must say~ i saw you a mile off!" thinking, she flicked her tail a bit " well if there are, i guess i just must have missed them~ and due to your kinds small form...i would guess Winter is a really hard time for most. Which is why i was most surprised to find you!"

"I agree!" Grace beamed, happy to have met someone with similar opinions, "I don't want to eat another tree bark until next winter! Its so bitter and dry and tasteless!" She made a face, as if she had just tasted something bitter. She looked embarrassed for a second, becoming shy all of a sudden as she shifted her hoofs at the compliment. Looking up at Bella, Grace finally spoke again, "Thank you... That's very kind of you. Bella is a nice sounding name as well... Very fitting for you too! Really? Someone once told me I looked like a giant walking berry! I guess it must be true then!" The female raised an eyebrow and laughed at Bella's comment on her coat.

Bella nodded and shook her head " i agree, bark is pretty foul stuff when you get right down to it~ i usually try to keep a store of dried fruit in my little cave i occupy in winter." She smiled down at Grace and giggled " i see why someone would call you a giant berry, you're very colorful~ a nice vibrant red!" she exhaled a puff of warm air and thanked her for the compliment as well. " I'm glad you think my name is fitting, it always sounded like a nice well mannered name, so i try to be as such" she smiled "know what i mean?"

"Ohh! That's a great idea!" Grace's eyes widened in surprise before she giggled, shaking her head, "Now, why didn't I think of that? Just dry the fruits in the sun and they'll stay nice and yummy for a longer time, even after being plucked down from the plant... I've seen the two leggers doing that!" Her voice was laced with slight disappointment, but the usdia soon perked up again, flashing Bella a bright smile, "Well, at least I know what to do next winter!"

At her next comment, Grace giggled again, "Well, you carry your name well! I think yuou're really nice and polite too." She nodded, as if agreeing with herself.

Bella glanced to the side and sighed a little, noticing Grace's disappointed tone " not everything the two legs do is bad, i've kept myself away from em of course, but when you can learn from them as well - it's not so hard to survive winters such as this." She smiled as the little Usdia perked up, ever optimistic " heh, i'm glad you've learned something then"

She chuckled " and your name does you justice as well, you're so little yet you hold yourself with beauty and high spirits!"

"That's true! I guess surviving is easier if we just learn from one another." Grace replied with a grin, glad that Bella had taught her, or rather, reminded her of a handy way to get through winter. At the compliment, she started to blush, although it was not visible under her dark pelt; she felt somewhat embarrassed, but proud as well. Her name was the only thing she remembered about her family, so it felt good that she was able to fit her name.

"Thank you!" She finally exclaimed happily, beaming at the taller mare, "I think its good to be optimistic... We only have one life to live, after all!"

Bella was happy she had put such a spring in Grace, happy to be her friend. " you're quite welcome dear~ and you are exactly right~ we do only have one life to live~ and here's hoping we'll live our lives just as well"

"Yes!" Grace smiled again despite herself, but shivered as a blast of cold wind hit her body. Looking up at Bella, the female smiled sheepishly, "I think I better get home soon... Winter days are really short... Sometimes too short. Although there is still some time before it gets dark, I think it'll be dangerous if both of us don't get home in time! Where do you stay? Is it nearby?" She looked hopefull; if she does stay nearby, there's the chance of them meeting again, after all!

Bella shivered herself and stood in front of Grace, taking most of the wind. " aye, that's true~ winter days are pretty short and it only gets colder at night dear~ you should head home, and i'll watch till you leave, so none of the predators hereabouts will mess with you. " She smirked a little " i live near enough~" she motioned with her muzzle " up that hill, through the intertwined oaks there's a little cave, you may find me there~" She looked down again at her new friend " it was nice meeting you Grace, i feel blessed to have met such a bright soul~ do come visit again sometime~"

"That's really close! I live in a hole under a huge tree just around the bend" She replied, wondering why they hadn't met till now; maybe its because they live on opposite sides of the river. Giving a nod, she continued, "I'll visit you in Spring! I think we won't have to worry about hurrying home and food then..." Shivering again, she bowed her head, "Thank you! Its pretty safe around this time though!"

Turning around to face the direction she had came from, the small mare trotted off, "It was nice meeting you too, Bella! See you again!"