- >Your name is still Anon. You had arrived in a menacing, freezing forest about a week ago.
- >You would have died cold and alone if not for the sweetest mare in the world, Frosty Flakes, an Earth Pony with a fluffy, beige mane.
- >Of course you decided to stay a bit longer. You would rather bask in the warm, caring snuggles of a new friend than be sent on another death-defying task once you state your success to the boss.
- >What would be next? A treacherous jungle where you'd be wrapped in the sticky web of a giant Equestrian spider?
- >Nuts to that. You're taking the snowmare hugs.
- >You wake up the same way you have for the past few days. A chilly, stinging breeze makes contact with your face and a snoring Frosty has her fuzzy legs wrapped around you.
- >Last night's fire was long gone, as your new friend prefers to keep her igloo crisp and icy during the night.
- >In your barely conscious state, you turn on your side and bury your face in the snoozing mare's chest fuzz.
- >You bask in the welcoming warmth radiating off of her body. She feels like a heated teddy bear even in the biting cold.
- >"Mmmm..." she coos, hugging you tighter in her half-awake daze.
- >Five more minutes.
- >About an hour later, you wake up for real. Frosty lightly nuzzles your face with her own.
- >"Wake up, Nonny! We have a big day today!"
- >She came up with this nickname a couple days ago. It's cute.
- "Morning, Frosty." you utter, with weariness still apparent in your voice.
- >You sit up and rub the sleep out of your eyes. Frosty is presented in front of you with a wide grin.
- >She's just too cute. You extend an arm and pet her long, poofy mane, causing her to produce a sweet giggle.
- >This mare really likes her headpats. She pushes her head slightly into your hand.
- "What do you have planned for us today?" you ask in between pets.
- >"I'm gonna teach you how to fish!" she declares excitedly.
- >"This time of the year really tasty fishies migrate to the forest! They're pink inside and you're gonna love them!"
- >Of course you knew how to fish, you loved doing it back on Earth.
- >However, you were very curious to see how a pony does it, especially without a rod.
- >Your mouth also watered at the thought of fresh salmon. Wasting no time, you spring up, eager to learn.
- >You throw on your extra layers, a second wooly jacket and two more pairs of snow pants.
- >Frosty grabs an animal hide sack from a crudely made box at the back of her igloo, and ties it to herself.
- >Taking Frosty's hoof in your hand, you begin your journey to the fluffy mare's favorite river.
- >In order to get to the flowing river and its fishy goodness, the two of you have to go through a labrynth of pine trees.
- >If you were lost in here alone, you'd be helpless. However, the pony by your side was skipping happily through the maze, joyfully humming a tune.
- >Frosty knew the place like the back of her hoof, as if she had drawn and kept a map within her mind.
- >Twenty minutes pass, you feel like you're more lost than ever, but Frosty insists that it's close.
- >"We're almost there, Nonny! Just a little bit further this way!" she beams.
- >"Race me there!"
- >Before you can react, the bubbly pony begins dashing through the snow.
- >You of course, struggle to keep up with her. Human legs are simply no match for snow mare hooves. They're built for this sort of thing.
- >After only a few minutes of grappling through the snow, you're already winded. You stop to take a breather.
- >Your friend is long gone by now.
- "Frosty? How far did you go?!" you call out to her.
- "This isn't funny!"
- >What little energy you have left is mustered together, just enough to begin sprinting again.
- "Frosty?!"
- >You progress a few more yards in your panicked hurry, until you spot the excitable mare standing completely still just ahead.
- >Trying to make your way back to her as fast as possible, you run and shout to her.
- "Hey, what the hell were you thin-"
- >You notice it.
- >A timber wolf, baring its teeth and posed in a threatening manner, right in front of Frosty.
- >Your run is stopped dead in its tracks. This thing was huge.
- >This wasn't like the timber wolves back in the Everfree Forest.
- >The wolf was nearly twice as big as it should be. Pine needles coated its rugged, splintery body. Your frightened gaze met with its glowing, royal blue eyes.
- >"Don't. Move." Frosty quietly calls to you, just loud enough for you to hear.
- >You do as she says, instantly becoming a green statue.
- >Wondering how you're going to get out of this one, you untense your muscles, trusting the snowy pony's experience.
- >Frosty has a staring contest with the wolf for a few more seconds. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
- >You shut your eyes tightly. Despite having trust in Frosty, you still can't watch.
- >In an instant, the sounds of a horrifying, guttural bellow rings through the area.
- >The disturbing outcry scared you half to death. Instinctually, your eyes shoot open and you race to the mare's defense.
- >However, the wolf is the one running away.
- >In your confusion, you slow your rush to a speedwalk. You finally return to her side.
- "What the hell was that?!" you inquire, frantically.
- >"Oh, umm, I'm sorry if I scared you! Scaring those rude things off is part of living in the snow!" she replies without a care in the world.
- >She smiles at you sweetly, almost producing a 'squee' sound.
- "Don't leave me like that! I'd be dead meat in hours if I got lost here!" you address sternly.
- "And I didn't know about any freakishly large timber wolves!"
- >Her smile turns to a regretful gloom.
- >"I'm really sorry Anon..." "I forgot your kind doesn't get along with the snow like I do..."
- >You made a "Hmph" sound and turn away from the guilty pony.
- >She puts her head down.
- >"Please don't stop being my friend..."
- >Your frustration melts away. This innocent pony is still new to the whole friendship thing.
- >Of course you couldn't stay mad at her.
- >Sighing and facepalming, you turn back around to accept her apology.
- "It's okay, Frosty. I forgive you. Just try not to ditch me like that again. You really freaked me out."
- >You pull the mare in for a reassuring hug. Her frown morphs right back into a beaming smile as she squeezes onto you.
- >"I promise I won't let you out of my sight again!" she persuades you, joyfully.
- >You pet her mane for a couple seconds then break the hug, remembering the timber wolf situation.
- "So..."
- "Did you make that awful noise?"
- >"Yep! Like I said, sorry if I scared you, but around these parts you have to be really firm with the wildlife." she explains.
- >"I've been practicing my roar since I was a filly! Works every time. Those scary things really are just big crybabies."
- >Wow. This mare still has lots of surprises left in her. How could a noise that unpleasant come out of somepony so innocent and adorable?
- "You've encountered a timber wolf before?"
- >"Timber wolf? You mean angry 'Ol Woody from before? Of course! I run into him every time I make a food run!"
- >Damn, she's fearless. You are now imagining a tiny filly Frosty yelping loud enough to scare a bear off.
- >You don't think to ask any more questions. You're just glad that your pissed off wood dog experience has come to a close.
- >"Anyways, come on! We're really almost there this time!" the bubbly mare beckons.
- >Just a few yards ahead, the prison of pine trees ends to reveal a gorgeous, glistening stream, stretching as far as the eye could see.
- >The sunlight danced on its surface, creating a twinkly light show throughout its length.
- >Hundreds of freshly mature salmon leaped one by one out of the ice cold water, practically begging to be caught.
- >It was like an entire buffet of fresh meat, just for the two of you.
- >"Oooh, it's even better than last year!" she states passionately, sporting a powerful "ooo" on her face.
- >She can barely contain her enthusiasm, and begins to sprint towards the watery bounty.
- >This time, she immediately stops dead in her tracks.
- >"Sorry! Almost forgot!"
- >The sweetie skips back over to you and places her hoof in your hand.
- >"Now let's go!"
- >The two of you have a calming stroll to the river. You almost feel as if you're a gentleman escorting your date to your seats at a resturaunt.
- >Arriving to the edge where the water and snow meet, Frosty jumps into the river.
- >"Come on in, silly!" she calls to you, waving.
- >Her body is nearly completely submerged in the icy liquid. Doesn't seem like she minds, either.
- "I'd love to, but I'd prefer not to freeze to death." You quip back to her.
- >"Ooooh, right, no coat! Doi!" she realizes, putting a hoof on her forehead jokingly.
- >"Let's go down a bit more, maybe we can find some rocks for you to stand on!"
- >Frosty eagerly and blissfully starts swimming through the coursing rapids. You follow beside her on foot.
- >The powerful current of the river is no match for her. Man, she's tough!
- >A few minutes pass and the two of you find a nice, wide boulder, planted right in the middle of the frigid body of water.
- >"You'll have to step in for a minute but it'll be so worth it!" she encourages you.
- >Reluctantly, you dip your boot into the water, searching for the bottom.
- >Your hesitation ceases, and you decide to go for it.
- >It's deep! The water goes nearly up to your hips!
- >Intensely shivering, you begin to tread through the freezing liquid.
- >The caring pony swims over to your side, guiding you through the water.
- >A particularly hyperactive salmon hops out of the water and slaps you on the face, causing you to stumble.
- >If it wasn't for Frosty's grip, you would have been swept away in seconds.
- >Having a strong friend's hold on you made it easy to recover, but the freezing temperature was almost too much to bear.
- >"You're almost there Nonny, you can do it!" Frosty cheers you on.
- >Just a few more feet...
- >You wrap both of your arms around the rock, and pull yourself up with Frosty's assistance.
- >Now safely on land, you sprawl yourself across the rock, laying on your back.
- >Your legs are so cold that they're burning. If you don't do something, you're gonna get frostbite.
- >You shed off the soaking wet layer of snowpants you were wearing. Good thing you have two more.
- >It would be nice if Frosty could wrap herself around your legs for a little while, but she is currently an incredibly wet mare.
- >This will do for now. You decide to suck it up and begin fishing.
- "So how do you like to catch fish?" you ask, prepared to listen.
- >"Well usually it's a waiting game, but not today! There's so many!" she beams.
- >"No point in explaining, I'll just show you!"
- >Hopping up on the boulder with you, she huddles close to the ground, ready for a big pounce.
- >Out of nowhere, a rather juicy looking salmon springs out of the water, ready to be caught.
- >Almost like a ninja, she swiftly leaps into the air, catching it with her mouth.
- >She looks at you, satisfied, with the fish clamped firmly in her teeth.
- >She tilts her head towards the sack tied to her body, motioning for you to open it.
- >You oblige, and she cheerfully spits the freshly caught dinner into the homemade travel bag.
- >"That's all there is to it, really!"
- >"You just gotta get your timing down!"
- >This method of hunting almost reminds you of how bears do it. Except this time it's a lot more endearing.
- >"You think you can nab the next one?" she challenges.
- >Waiting several minutes for the right salmon to jump out of the right spot, a very floppy fish comes barreling towards you.
- >Flinching, you try to grab for it but miss pathetically. Frosty giggles at you.
- >"It takes some practice, don't feel bad!" she assures.
- >"You mind untying this?" she asks, motioning once again towards the bag.
- >"You seperate the bag from her body, placing it neatly on the boulder.
- >"Weee!" she cheers, diving back into the icy depths.
- >She splashes around gracefully, launching herself out of the water when the time is right in order to snatch an unlucky fish out of the air.
- >"Think fast!"
- >She tosses a fish up to you on your safe zone, which you deposit into her bag.
- >This goes on for a little while, practicing your grabs with every meal caught.
- >Catching these slippery things was second nature to the wet, floofy pony.
- >She tosses you yet another. Was this the tenth? Twelfth? You've lost count at this point.
- >Ready to catch the little bastard as you had done many times before, another particularly juicy, riled up salmon hurls itself up at you, smacking you directly on your cheek.
- >This time, with no mare to keep your balance, you fall backwards onto the rock.
- >Attempting to stop your fall, you extend your arms behind you, ready to take on the force of this tumble.
- >You instinctually bite down and grind your teeth in anticipation of the burst of pain that was about to come.
- >Your teeth grit, but instead of the sensation of your own teeth, you feel something leathery and wet squirming between them.
- >The fidgety, floppy fish was in your teeth!
- >You caught him. Somehow.
- >Just barely remaining steadfast in the face of your sudden descent, you regain your composure and push yourself up again, fish in mouth.
- >Frosty witnessed the whole ordeal.
- >"Ohmygosh Anon that was crazy! First I was really scared that you were gonna get hurt but then I saw you with the fishie in your mouth and I was so proud of you and-"
- >She kept rambling in praise to you, obviously ecstatic that you managed to get one, in your mouth no less.
- >You then realize you still have a slimy, live fish still in your maw.
- >Immediately, you spit the fish into the bag, and spat a couple more times into the water to get the remaining raw fish essence out of your palate.
- >"You're a natural! You sure you've never done this before?" she inquires, jokingly.
- >Yeah. You're sure.
- >In the midst of her excitable cheering, without thinking, Frosty hopped up on the boulder and tackled you into a big, wet hug.
- >The lovable mare was so thrilled that she didn't think about how hard she jumped on you.
- >In a quick jolt, your body tips over and plunges into the freezing rapids.
- >The sub zero water engulfs your entire body, and suppresses your energy to get back up.
- >Right away, your friend plunges into the water to your rescue, grabbing your limp, nearly frozen body.
- >After being taken safely to land once more, the worried pony raced to the boulder through the icy river, grabbed today's fishy bounty, and swam right back to land, like a flash of lightning.
- >Helping you up, she motions swiftly for you to get on her back.
- >The frost was unbearable. Barely conscious at this point, the mare proves to be your savior once again.
- >Frosty galloped vigorously through the forest carrying nearly one-hundred fifty pounds of Anon on her back, trying her best to get you back to warmth as soon as possible.
- >Every gust of wind you felt caused your entire body to seize up with shivers, yet you were amazed that this little pony could move this quickly.
- >Turn after turn, the determined snow mare meticulously navigated through the network of pine trees, powered by the thought of your safety.
- >Just a few minutes later, the two of you were back where you started, the comfy little igloo she called home.
- >Bursting through the door, she gently laid you down.
- >Still with a racing mind, she threw some more leafy twigs and firewood into the pit.
- >The last thing you remember before passing out was the sound of rocks being slammed against one another, and the faint warmth of embers.
- >...
- >You awaken a few hours later, next to a roaring, comforting bonfire.
- "Ahh..AH-CHOO!"
- >You sneeze violently. Painful coughs erupt from your lungs, while your body is burning up.
- >The delightful smell of warm fish fills the icy structure. Frosty approaches you kindly, offering you an awkwardly shaped bowl, brimming with meat and broth.
- >After helping you sit up, she smooches you on the forehead and curls up on your lap.
- >"I made you lots of soup, Nonny! You'll feel better in no time at all!" She proudly declares, inspired to nurse you back to health.
- >"Thank the stars you're okay..."
- >She nuzzles her fluffy snoot into your aching torso.
- >You don't even think about chewing her out for knocking you into the river. Even if you're disgustingly sick, this is heaven in Equestria.
- >Petting her mane and scritching her ears with one hand, you take a long, well deserved gulp of freshly made salmon soup with the other.
- >"I made sure to use the one you caught!" Frosty nobly announces.
- >You have a scorching fever, there's gunk in your lungs, and you're coughing out a lung.
- >Yet you couldn't be happier.