It hadn’t taken long for Kalseru to declare that winter was, by far, her favorite season yet. The cold didn’t bother her, at night she piled atop her brothers who made a furry, warm bed despite the occasional snoring and waking up with a foot in her face. The weather had made her normally plush and silky soft coat grow long, so much so that it bounced pleasantly as she walked, the longer wisps trailing behind her and her tail almost dragging the ground. It suited her perfectly. Slowly she was emerging from the awkward stages of puppyhood, her body rounding out with small paws and ears the finally seemed to fit her slender face. There was still far to go, but she was already gorgeous. An almost spitting image of her mother she moved with grace that was belied by the remnants of her innocent puppy features.

She veritably floated over the snow-covered ground on days like today, a serious look on her regal face. Too long had she spent in the shadows of the den, keeping to herself save for rare occasions when her brothers could drag her out and she would not allow her absence to relegate her to some inferior position. Today she took a new lease on life to learn the land and all of those therein. She was her mother’s daughter, her only daughter, and it was her duty to be able to follow in those paw prints should the need ever arise. She clambered over a few rocks as she descended in to the more common areas of the mountain packlands, her paws easily finding footing in treacherous terrain as if the mountains were a part of her own body. Of course that is exactly the case.

Her moon-rimmed eyes search the surrounding areas waiting for any movement to indicate she wasn’t alone. Her dark form stood out stark against the white-washed landscape, though even now as the snowflakes fell softly from above it sought to cover her in a similar white. She smiled to herself as she watched the come down silently, giving a shake of her gorgeous head as one landed on her nose. Suddenly she was leaping up at them, her tiny mouth open wide as she attempted to catch them to feel the coolness on her tongue for a fleeting moment.

Despite being the most regal of princesses she could still have fun, after all.