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// Chapter IV: Morning? 
// Story: Cor Glaciens 
// by Melani-Nexus 
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After many hours spent ruminating through past arguments, conflicts, and the advice that was given to her, Luna finally managed to let the drowsiness of sleep ensnare her. With heavy eyelids and the embrace of the heated blankets like a cocoon surrounding her, the mare finally let herself be taken by rest’s gentle calm.
With the knowledge that tomorrow’s activities started very early, before dawn even, she went to sleep expecting a very poor rest as Diana would wake her up around four in the morning.
However much to the pegasus’ surprise, her eyes fluttered open slowly as she hazily turned in the mattress. The sounds from outside told a tale of boisterous activity as ponies walked to and fro, children played and improved their skillset, and the sunlight beamed through the criss cross window.
Snowfall’s eyes went wide as she scrambled to sit up, looking around the bedroom frantically as her ears spun around. 
- “Diana?!” - She called out clearly sounding flustered.
Heavy hooves paced towards the room’s direction; a hand grabbing the door’s frame as a Diana’s head popped into the room. Raising a brow at the sight she walked in with a hand raised in a calming gesture, and a steaming mug in her other hand. - “Woah, easy there Snowy. What is the fuss about?”
- “What is it about?” - She asked incredulous, combing some locks of her messy mane backwards with her fingers before she scrambled to her hooves. - “Judging by the sun’s position it’s past ten in the morning! I should have been up at five or six hours ago.”
- “Huh, it’s nice to see that you know about when we wake up.” - She chuckled before crossing her arms, still holding the mug. - “I was supposed to wake you but, I knew you’d be tired after falling asleep so late and being in a stranger’s house.” - She put the mug down by a low table near her bed and Snowfall’s mattress. - “Besides, it’s better to have your mind well rested if you’re going to stay a while with us; life among the village can be delightful, but it has its fair share of challenges, it’s not for the worn soul.” - She smiled to the pegasus. - “I made lunch. Drink up some warm cider and join me.”
- “Well I...” - She took a moment to process Diana’s words; rubbing a hand against her face and muzzle a few times, she sighed as tension left her body and she gazed at the steam gently waving upwards and dissipating. - “I do feel well rested, thank you for being so considerate.” - she smiled softly in return before cupping the mug in both her hands. It looked comically small and it was pleasantly warm.
- “That’s what I wanted to hear. Come here.” - She said calmly as she walked off the room, followed by the the pegasus. Diana could hear her sipping on the cider from time to time. - “Eat enough to sustain yourself but don’t get stuffed. We got a long day ahead of us.”
Yesterday night Snowfall had little to no chance to properly survey her surroundings as she left the village’s main hall, led through a few streets directly to Diana’s house. It wasn’t all that different from all the other houses around the village, except for having an interesting amount of rope and nets hanging by the porch alongside a few chipped and damaged weapons glinting slightly under the weak light from nearby torches.
Entering she was led directly to the bedroom, barely being able to glance at the other side which she assumed was a kitchen; and lo and behold, there stood a long wooden table in front of a large fireplace with iron pots laying on it’s charcoal and long sticks stuck through the length of the fireplace; counters and cabinets were placed against the walls and two windows adorned the room.
Diana pulled a chair and sat by the table, gesturing to an opposite chair as she pulled her plate closer. - “Make yourself at home.”
- “Thank you for the meal.” - Snowfall bowed her head lightly in a grateful gesture as she sat down by the table, having placed down her cider mug as she also took a plate to serve herself a portion of the freshly cooked salmon, along with a large piece of dark bread, and a few vegetables and berries. - “So, what did I miss so far?” - Asking in a humored tone, she ate a piece of her bread along with some fish without much ceremony, secretly feeling glad for such freedom. 
- “Well,” - Diana paused as she took a big chug. - “The fishers took off with the boats, the farmers are checking the silos and our resources overall, the miners and the lumberjacks have been working since early and we got plenty of activity near the northern borders.”
- “You dare to go that far?” - The pegasus said, surprised by the last part.
- “I know, it’s surprising that we even go there but, there are things to gain by braving winter itself.” - Biting a chunk of salmon, she raised an eyebrow. - “But first things first, we gotta get you some proper clothes.”
- “Proper?” - She seemed both puzzled and alarmed.
-  “Yes, after all you only got feathers on your back and on your collar bones right? It’s not like that thin dress will keep you warm around here.” - Diana chuckled and smirked.
- “I guess you’re right, heavier garments would be of great aid.” - She said, thoughtful while munching on the dark bread, noticing that perhaps she wouldn’t be able to finish it in one sitting as she tore it in two.
- “Don’t worry.” - The bigger mare said in a calm manner, as if reading her thoughts. - “I’ll cover for the clothes you get right now, and then you can help me later in the forest.”
- “Oh? And what will I be aiding you with?” - Snowfall asked in eager curiosity.
- “Hunting. Got any experience with it?” - Diana’s honey eyes gazed into Snowy’s teal ones.
- “Unfortunately I’m afraid that I never had much opportunity to try it but... I do have some expertise with tracking.” - She stated with some confidence. 
Diana’s expression shifted into surprise as she raised a brow. - “Well, that’s about to change; today you’re gonna get as many chances as you can handle.” - Stuffing her mouth with some remaining vegetables and then finishing off her large mug of cider, the mare stretched her arms upwards and got up from the table, heading towards her bedroom. - “I’ll sort us some equipment while you finish; get ready.” - She said with an amiable but mildly serious expression as she disappeared through the door.
Snowfall sighed in contentment as she took a few gulps of her drink. - “Sure thing.” - But secretly, Luna was as ready as she could ever be.