The Valle man was trying to make more of an effort to check in with their newer members, particularly the young ones. Truthfully he still had trouble telling them apart and just assumed they would be together as they often were. They were odd children, quiet, reserved, but they had recovered healthily enough and it seemed their mother planned on making their stay at least semi permanent. That meant it was part of his duty to try and make sure they were comfortable and at least as happy as they could be.

He had spotted one of them up ahead when something clocked him in the head. Blinking in surprise he scoffed as he looked down at the pinecone rolling away in the snow, what are the odds of that? Then he heard the rustle of the wind in the trees and another pinecone landed a couple of feet away, and another, and then another. Then he saw one land near the girl up ahead and he chuckled, ”Heads up!” Then one bounced off his back and he quickened his pace to catch up with her. They didn’t hurt, but he didn’t love getting bonked repeatedly either.