The harsh winter was sitting poorly with Nash. Last winter had been heavy too, anticipatory of a wet summer, and look where that had left them. What if this summer was the same? The Chasm had already dissolved, partially due to the drought... how would the Backwater fare if they too lost water once more? The leader knew Viorel wouldn't venture up the mountain, even if they invited him to stay for the dry season... what of the others? Would Oksana be okay welcoming more into their territory to share their precious resource?

And then there were the children. They were prone to wandering, and several were still missing. He didn't like it. He worried that with the thaw would come gangly bodies, not fully grown but hidden beneath the snow for months. He couldn't bear to see his son, frozen and cold. He hoped none of them were.

Nash found a lookout over the valley not far from the lake and looked over the pass, hoping to see some sign of movement. He knew the distance was too great, but it was some sort of hope. As he settled a boom hit his ears, followed by a series of fizzing cracks. It sounded distant, but Nash looked up in alarm, looking for sign of danger. Was there an avalanche?

The leader was still on high alert when he heard his brother's call. His ears twitched in surprise, but he didn't turn. He continued watching the colored fizzing lights in the distance. They didn't seem close enough to be a threat, so he might as well enjoy the oddity. Perhaps Chan would know what they were... if he would even share it. At least he was approaching Nash this time instead of the other way around. Nash could be content sitting in silence for a while if it meant his brother was out and moving around more again.

A second surprise: Chan spoke first. Nash glanced at him as he joined him. "Hey," he echoed before returning his gaze to the night sky. It was perfectly clear, lending to the cold, but offering a beautiful view of the stars. Another pop, and another rainbow of sparkling red painted the inky blackness.