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Brenny hated winter. Perhaps hate was a strong word--he disliked the fact that everything died or slept during the season. He didnt like how winter clothing restricted his movement. The leaves had already fallen, and the trees were bare. He had placed a scarf carefully around one of the ones in front of Connie's apartment in hopes of keeping it warm. He had left the apartment complex in search of a new pair of gloves for his father. Warm ones! It was so cold, and he was sure their tiny apartment would be as cold as he remembered his first winter in the forest being.

He spotted someone duck into a nearby alleyway. "Hi!" He greeted Truffles, when he reached her. "I'm Brenny, what's your name? Are you hungry? We can go for hot chocolate."

Brenny was rather startled himself, when Truffles jumped. He recovered quickly, frowning at her slightly. She didn't know what hot chocolate was? "Hot chocolate is the best drink ever, for winter! Its warm and makes you feel cozy inside." He studied her, and paused. "Aren't you cold?" He asked. He handed her his scarf. "You can have that," he said. "You look cold. Let's go have hot chocolate and then we can go buy you gloves. I'm going to buy some for my daddy, too."

Maybe he would make a hot chocolate stand! His lemonade stand had done well, after all. "What's your name?" He repeated. "We can be friends."

"Don't worry!" Brenny assured her quickly. He knew what it was like to be unable to afford things. That had been why he had started his lemonade stand: to be J'len buy things for his Daddy. "I have some money from my lemonade stand, and I'll buy you a pair of gloves. Lunch too. I'm getting hungry. What would you like? I have enough money to buy us something. I'll get a salad and you can get a sandwich!" He decided with a smile. He was vegetarian, but accepted that most people were not.

"Hi Truffles! I like your name. Like those chocolates." He hesitated, blinking at her next question. "Why wouldn't I want to be your friend?" He asked. "I like making people happy, and the best way to do that is by being their friend." He offered her his hand. "Let's go," he said. "If you've never had hot chocolate, you'll love it!"

"Yay! We're friends now!" Brenny beamed, he didn't seem at all abashed when Truffles failed to take his hand. "We'll go across the street," he decided. "You gotta be careful because there's cars! Make sure you look both ways before crossing!" The celebi boy was in his element. He wanted to be everyone's friend, and so he tried to be the best one there had ever been. He paused and studied her for a long moment. "Your coat doesn't fit," he observed, blinking. "Do you want one that might? I had a sister, two really, but they both left. One had coats and maybe she's the same size! I don't think Daddy would mind. Its just me and him and my magikarp now."

He led her across the street after carefully looking both ways. "See? You can pick any color gloves you like!"

Brenny was baffled at her question. So baffled was he that he stopped midstep and stared at her. His balance wavered slightly, and he pressed his foot firmly to the ground. "Huh?" He asked. "I don't want anything from you. Except a smile. Making other people smile makes me happy." He lowered his voice and added, "Besides, I know what its like to be so cold. Last winter, before my Daddy found me, I thought I was going to freeze. But Daddy came and I snuck into his truck to stay warm. He found me and gave me a scarf! Then he brought me to his home so I can be warm. I want to be like my Daddy. I'll help you just like he helped me!" The celebi boy beamed.

"Is your brother cold too? I'll buy him gloves too! Then you'll both be warm. I wish I had somewhere warm for you to stay too. But our apartment is small. Daddy works hard for it, so I don't complain. But I think I'll get a job to help Daddy get a bigger place, then we can help more people!"

"Nah, I'm too little to be a daddy," Brenny said, shaking his head. The thought hadn't even occurred to him. Then he seemed to realize she was joking. He smiled brightly. "I think I like being called 'friend' better," he said. "Or Brenny."

He nodded. "Yup! Any gloves you want! Any gloves you think your brother wants, too. I'm going to buy you both gloves." He beamed. He paused, opening the door of the shop. "My apartment isn't far from here," he said. "We can walk and get the coat, see if it fits you. I don't want you getting cold. Its going to be colder soon." He flashed her a concerned expression. He wasn't sure how much the gloves would help, really. At least Truffles' hands would be warm! "Go on and pick," he said.

Brenny took the gloves, smiling brightly. He picked up a dark blue pair for his father and walked over to the lady at the cash register. He hoped his new friend wouldn't run off while his back was turned. He wasn't sure he would be able to find her again. He paid for the gloves, thanking the clerk, and handed Truffles the two pairs she had requested. He smiled.

"See? They stretch, too, so if you get bigger, they'll still be warm and cozy! Do you want to go get that coat now, or have lunch first? I think lunch. I'm hungry, and walking makes it worse. The hot chocolate will warm us both up!"