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It was a full moon out that night and a small weasel looking animal was slinking through the brush. It moved like a liquid, over branches and through the grass. His snow white fur glowed eerily in the full moon's light. But this was no ordinary weasel; this was Vinteren, the winter mononoke. He had decided to take a strole that night and found it easier to move in his animal form.

But the downside of being in animal form meant you had more animalistic instincts rather than your human ones. So far he had eaten two mice and was on the hunt for a third. Hunting was natural for the ermine, as was hunting at night; but what wasn't natural was his attraction to sparkly things. As he stood up on his hind legs ever so cutely he spotted shinies. Or rather he spotted the glittering windows of a shrine in the late night. Even Vinteren was attracted to sparkles so he began to make a bee line for it.

The ermine made it's way up the sloping entrance of the shrine, sniffing about to any sign of a mouse. He stayed close to the wall as he slunk in and began exploring. His animalistic curiousity getting the better of him as he delved deeper into the shrine. He would chastize himself later for allowing himself to let the beast take such control over him.

But when you are snow white you aren't exactlys stealthy. Vin could easily be seen moving like a small white ghost along the walls and over small obstelces in his way. His black eyes examined everything he came into contact with.

Oh and Vin was rather the angry weasel in a bag. He made lots of squeeks and growls, none very fear inspiring. In fact they'd more likely made girls squee and want to hug him. But his captor spoke gently to him and calmed him down. Though he did resent the 'cute' statement. He was not cute, he was a monster. A frightening monster.......well maybe not in his form.

He felt himself carried somewhere then sat upon a hard surface. The cloth was removed and he looked around at his new surroundings. Apparently it was a kitchen and the owner was going to make something to eat. The male seemed nice enough, not like some of the more angry residents he had accidentally scared when entering their homes. He really needed to gain more control of his animal mind.

When Cassiel returned from the pantry a white weasel was no longer sitting on the table. Instead a white haired male, about 23, looked back at him with the same shiny black eyes. Unlike some mononoke's who only had ears or a tail to mark their breed, Vin had a far more amazing appearance. His skin was as white as his hair with silver tattooes on his arms. His hands, while human looking, ended in sharp black claws. His hair was while and ran in long sideburns down his face.

"I apologize. I get overly curious when I change. If you would prefer to continue to bed I can leave."

He felt guilty keeping the priest out of his bed. Jarren had always told him to be respectful to shrines and their caretakers. They were devote people and rarely harmful.

Vin nodded gratefully at the man for his offer of food and company. He had expected a look of horror or some sort of reaction at his form but this priest seemed at ease with his appearance. Vin always seemed to expect it, it was what he got from most parents. And parents were a sore spot with him. He nibbled on his sandwich, which tasted far better than mice, while the priest retrieved his cup.

"I thank you for the welcome. My name is Vinteren," he sipped his milk to wash down some of the peanut butter. He listened to the man express his curiosity about mononoke's abilities and experiences.

"It is not so much that we lose our minds; it is more like more base instincts take over. After all, when scared most humans can act rather animalistic," he smiled softly. He didn't mind talking about the actual experience though he loathed his own appearance. Depending on who you asked he was either blessed or cursed. At times he felt both.

"I suppose the angle and size is what can make the experience a bit overwelming. Unlike some larger animals the world is so much bigger when you are so small," he nibbled then swallowed, "but then you gain real appreciation for the little details that are usually unseen by large eyes. I imagine it is similiar to how children look at the world. As adults we have forgotten what it was like to be so small."

That was what he saw in his shiney collection. He could see the subtle color changes in a glass ball like a vivid rainbow. He could see the lovely grain in a pearl or sparkling stone. The little details, usually overlooked or dismissed as not being important, could make the item most amazing.

Vin stayed quiet and ate his sandwich as the priest talked of his parents. In his mind's eye he could still see the burning cottage and hear the screams of his mother play through his head. But his black eyes stayed neutral; never betraying the pain within them. But the sudden question did catch him off guard.

"Run away? Oh," he chuckled, "Do I look so young?" He drank the rest of his milk and placed his dishes together before going to the sink to wash them. He could hardly allow his host to do so being so late. His small black tipped tail wiggled a bit as he answered.

"No I am not a runaway. My family....is long gone. No one to miss me," his voice held a trace of sadness but he kept it as even as possible, "But I dislike the heat of summer so I take my walks at night to avoid it's burning rays," he dryed his dishes and set them aside as he was unsure where else to place them. His white skin was sensitive to summer sun, through it never seemed to bother him in the winter.

"At night it is cooler and the moon does not burn me or make me over heat. My powers don't make summer my favorite season," he held out his hand. It glowed and formed a snowball. "Even if I make fabulous snowcones."

Vin nodded as the other spoke. He was use to people thinking he was young. He wondered if it was a mononoke thing. He was glad to meet another who did not wish to experience the full rays of the sun. Perhaps he could move to a place with more trees to block the sun more. It would feel more like home, back in Jarren's small cabin.

The ermine couldn't help but smile as the priest seemed to be in awe of his snowball. It was a fairly simple spell, one would think someone with Cassiel's powers wouldn't be too impressed. But apparently snow and ice powers weren't something he had seen before. "Of course," he chuckled as he placed the very real snowball into the Cassiel's hand.

The ball was soft on top, like a fresh snowfall. The inner part was more compact and perfect for exploding upon impact. Vin gave the priest a look, "You....don't know what a snowcone is?" Well that was unusual. This guy needed to get out more, and coming from Vin that was bad. "A snow cone is a sweet treet usually made in the summer. A block of ice is shaved iwth a sharp blade then it is packed into a small cup. Usually there is flavored syrup put on top depending on the customer's tastes. I prefer strawberry myself."

"It is a rather simple treat. And it keeps you cool in the summer," he nodded as Cassiel went to the cabinets to get a bowl to place his snowball in. He had never had snowcream though. If it was like ice cream then it couldn't be all bad. Vin liked any treat that was cold. Popcicles were actually his favorite, wasn't overly sweet and wonderfully cold.

He smirked a bit as the other talked abouting eating it during the summer, "Well unless a sudden snow storm hits I don't see how you will....." he blinked as Cassiel looked at him. Why was he looking at him like that. Thats when it hit him.

"Oh. Well um....I've never really tried...to make it snow. I've only made snowballs and ice," he explained. He held out his hand and moved as if he were grasping something. A dagger of ice formed in his hand. But the idea of the sudden weather change did intrigue him. It would be an excellent way to make enemies very uncomfortable given that they would be in summer wear.

"I could try....but I would suggest it not be in your kitchen," he smiled, "I can freeze a room I know."

Vin had to smirk a bit at the older man's enthusiaism about the prospect of a wintery treat in the heat of the summer. He watched as the priest collected his things then disappeared to redress. The mononoke almost felt bad keeping the man from his sleep, priests did have a purpose to serve. But he was also an adult and could make his own decisions about the amount of sleep he wanted.

Once Cassiel had disappeared he went outside to a nice clear area. He didn't want to damage too many plants with the sudden frost they would be recieving with his powers. Jarren always complained when he practiced his spells around his favorite flowers. Vin looked up as the man reappeared, dressed in his day clothes and with the bowls.

"Ok, please stand back. I've never done something like this before so I don't want you to get frostbite or anything," he said to Cassiel before taking a stance near the bowls.

The mononoke closed his eyes and began to concentrate. His body began to glow, like the moon was lighting him up. The air noticably got colder as his winter based powers began to fill the area. His hands made intricate movements through the area as he manipulated his magic. He had been considering how he could do this while waiting for Cassiel to appear.

The air got colder and colder as he pushed his power. The water in the air began to form a small cloud above them, just above the trees. Finally, small white flakes began to fall. It wasn't a huge storm, merely a 20 ft radius, but it was snowing, the bowls slowly beginning to fill with the fresh white stuff. Vin kept it up until he was completely exhausted and lowers his arms. The storm quickly fizzles out without his power behind it, but it did leave a few bowls filled with freshly fallen snow.

"How...*pant*...is that?*pant" he said to Cassiel, obviously drained.

Vin was quite exhausted from the hard use of his power. Outside temperatures could help or hinder him whenever he worked his magic. He watched the other collect the bowls then talk of flavors. He honestly prefered vanilla, it was a natural flavor found in the woods. Jarren often made him vanilla sweets.

"Vanilla, thank you," he spoke tiredly and followed the man into the temple agian. He rested at the table, just watching and wondering. He had never made snowcream or at least Jarren didn't seem to have knowledge of such sweets. Most sweets Vin had been exposed to was the natural fruit of the land or small things flavored with sweet spices.

"No chocolate for me thank you. It tends to be sticky when you have fur," he smiled and took the bowl. The cold treat was freshing, his natural element helping him heal faster. "I have never had this before. Jarren always made more natural sweets and desserts. Fruit from the trees. Small plants sweet to the taste. Or drinks mixed with a sweet spice."