The bitter cold just seemed reluctant to leave their region. What others had expected to pass overnight had turned into an actual spell of snow, the blizzards growing and covering the entire village with over a foot of snow. Despite it all Lautaro found himself in the aviary, the young ranger helping more with the kinfa as he learned from his mother and took more to the skies. Unlike the others at least Lautaro was somewhat more alright with the cold even though he had taken to wearing an extra layer under his cloak like others who shuffled through the snowy paths below. Normally they’d have a few inches of snow during the worst of the season, but it truly was strange that over a foot of snow had fallen across the forest like this. Everyone was still adapting since what they had expected to melt had only accumulated more instead. There were still those hanging bridges from the last cold snap that needed repaired since they had nearly been destroyed by the sheer weight of the snow, the rangers trying their best to keep the snow from accumulating even more on the swaying pieces despite the bitter cold winds. Even Lautaro had been more accepted this time around, the younger ranger growing despite his clumsier attempts from before since now he was actually considered somewhat helpful especially for those who needed help with their kinfa who were struggling to nest in this mess. That much Lautaro was especially talented at since despite his klutzy habits the young ranger was apparently loved by most of the giant birds that the rangers worked with. Even the couple of chiavi from Zena seemed more fond of him, the birds easily allowing him to help work on their nests so that the fresh straw could keep them warm alongside of the kinfa nesting there too from the bitter winds.

“It’s disappointing that I can’t fly out to go with them just yet, but at least we’re all safe in the village this time.” Murmured Lautaro as he rubbed Zephyrus and shook the straw from the kinfa’s feathers. The sapphire colored kinfa was basically attached to his side as he worked on his nest now, Lautaro shifting the straw to try to tidy up the mess that the reckless bird normally made. Like the other birds his own wasn’t terribly fond of the snow, unlike his twin sisters who were once more making a scene with a whole group of snowmen while playing down in the clearing below. His family had the biggest aviary since his mother helped to train the kinfa, and those that were nested up here had all cuddled up in the warmth of their freshly cleaned nests that were scattered throughout the space. Lautaro could see some of the smaller aviaries that he had just helped clean from the snow from the open arches of this one, the round huts of rangers having another level of wooden structure built above their main home with openings for the kinfa to easily fly in and out. It made coming up here a bit colder than what Lautaro wanted, but thankfully the layers of straw and feathers kept it somewhat insulated despite the bitter winds that slipped in through the open areas of the aviary. For now he was just working to keep all of that snow out once again as he replaced layer after layer while dealing with Zephyrus who kept rustling next to him, squawking each time a bit of snow managed to find its way into the aviary. As if that could chase it away…the very thought made Lautaro chuckle despite the grumpiness of the bird next to him.

“You’ll live. It’ll pass soon enough.” Lautaro chuckled again as he made certain that the canvas was secured again. Latuaro gave it a tug before letting out a soft sigh of relief. It was good and secured then so there was no worry there despite how grumpy his familiar was being. “Once the winds die down then we can go flying again and join the next escort mission. That’s exciting right, Zeph?” And he could finally experience the world with Ana…the very thought bringing a light flush to his cheeks. He just hoped that he could take the time given to him by this cold snap to gather his courage to do his best and not be a disappointment. That was always his biggest worry, the young ranger still afraid of messing up again and ruining things for others. But now that he had Zeph and the support of others, including Anahita and his younger sisters, Lautaro felt a bit more at ease. Surely he could do this, he simply had to believe more in himself.

[796]