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December had swept into the Oasis with a biting beauty, winds blowing snow flurries through the air that stuck to tree branches and blanketed the ground or hid the ice covered ponds, that had a certain pup over-eager to become acquainted with the snowflakes. She had whined, used her adorable pleading eyes in hopes of swaying someone to her side, promised to help with chores or even fishing (an explosion of laughter at the idea of a sopping wet pup who had fallen in the river had ended that tactic), and finally relented to try patience.

Only after Flora had secured a large amount of fabric in the most vibrant red imaginable (it far outshone the reddest rose or even the lips that shamed the red, red rose), using her wand to craft a warm cloak for the small pup, did she even start considering the idea. She was stalling, they all knew it, but once the cloak was done in the middle of the last month of the year--there was little else to be done but relent.

The small paws of the eldest squirrel pushed and prodded the young girl to stand up straight. Small wings worked to keep her alift as she wrapped the cloak around the pup, small paws fastened it before checking that the hood was decent. Once she was satisfied that it fit the stature of the pup and would keep her warm, she floated to the ground and pressed her cheek against one paw. She sighed as everyone waited and then nodded. She waited only a moment before launching into a spiel about what not to do (everything).

"Be careful, speak to no one," she stated then stopped. Oh, dear, she thought as she shook her head slightly an apologetic smile playing on her maw, "Yes, we decided that rule wasn't in your best interested, didn't we?" The pup nodded before her, "Then stick close to Aurora, dear, and please try not to climb trees."

"But--" Rosebud attempted to reply however Flora plowed on. That was the worst thing (at the moment) about the eldest fairy, she tended to go on and on giving no one a chance to speak. Fauna usually agreed with her, Merryweather would end up grouchy and shouting, and Aurora seemed immune to it all. She hoped one day she would be, too.

"Flora, if you're that concerned why don't you accompany us?" the angelic interrupted, knowing the answer would be no. She smiled sweetly even as her aunt scowled at the idea. Once the squirrel began to shoo them, she gave a hidden wink to the excited pup.

Outside was much different to inside the den. A coldness the likes of the pup had never known whipped through the air and she was thankful for the cloak then. She pawed at the white fluff, eyes lighting up at the prints left behind, and grinning as she darted out into winter wonderland. There was a chill against the paw of her paws and in some parts her paws would sink. She thought it was wonderful even when she found a slick patch that caused her to slide forward, squeaking in surprise, until she was deposited into a particularly high drift.

"I don't think we should try skating with you," Aurora had teased as she fished her out. Once the pup was brushed off, she lead her further from home not noticing the pup's gaze.

Winter had brought a quietness to the elder otter, moments where she would seem to forget what she was doing, and times when she seemed to have slipped off without a word. She remarked only that she was thinking of friends and hoping they were faring well in the winter. The pup thought the princess was concerned about her friend's clams. (She wasn't entirely wrong but she wasn't right, either.)

"Aurora? Can we sing out here in winter?" It seemed there was a quietness and she was afraid singing might wake something up. She wasn't very fond of the quiet unless she was sleeping or hiding, when she was playful the quiet was almost suffocating.

"Oh I think it would be all right," she paused in her steps trying to think of something fitting for the moment. When nothing particular came to mind, she eased into a familiar tune.

The blonde head of hair was already turning in his direction, a mere second sooner than his voice shouted out (simultaneously making her mouth break into a wide grin as her heart jumped into her throat, soon crashing into her stomach as raving sparrows flooded the cavern between her ribs). She felt her mouth drop as a gasped laugh floated out, her face contorting into a sympathetic grimace. The curse, though muffled, reddened her cheeks and she watched the startled birds--before remembering she wasn't alone and she had no want to fly away from the pirate.

She dipped her head, watching as the bundle of red ducked behind her suddenly, waiting until wide alarmed eyes met her own. A soft reassuring smile tugged at her lips and she bent down to temple their foreheads together. "It's all right, he's a friend." She waited a moment, "Stay here, where I can see you, and then I'll introduce you."

The pup gave a nod, eyes still quite large as she swallowed thickly, seeking shelter within the cloak. She hadn't seen the owner of the voice, the sudden shout had startled her badly. There was so much quiet outside that she was sure she could still hear the male's echo even as the birds made their displeasure known with loud shrill shrieks.

She pulled her cloak tight. She did not like quiet wide open places, she decided. She knew where nothing was and if it had not been for Aurora's soft, stay here, she would have hurried up a tree. She felt safe in trees. (She felt safe with Aurora and the fairies and almost anyone. Alone, she felt frightened.)

The princess had moved away slowly, throwing glances back to her surrogate daughter (little sister?), until she was sure the pup wouldn't try to run home. She wasn't sure the little one could retrace their steps, not with their cloaks dragging lightly over the snow and obscuring the imprints.

She forced herself forward, telling herself that Rosebud would be all right, and nearly sinking down into a drift herself. The wings on her back flared out in instinct, helping her stay light, as she made her way to where the captain had been before the snow had swallowed him up. She had to bite at the edge of her lip to keep herself from giggling at the hole she came upon.

"Jack? Are you all right?" she called out softly. She ducked her head down to peer into the dark, faintly pirate-shaped, hole.