Lottery

In the far distance, dozen's of large, lumbering bodies retreated. Their steps squelching in the mud caused by the melting snow. Spring was beginning to reach out and latch on to the Lunaria wilderness, Winter was giving way, following the natural course laid out before it.

"Cousin Klaus, where are they all going?" Remus whispered from his spot leaning against his cousin, his paws making quick work of the braid he was adding to the Arctic's collection.

There was a low chuckle from the Arctic that supported Remus' weight. "It's getting warm. Which means it is time for my kind to head back to the tundra."

Romulus pulled himself up on the Arctic, dropping a yellow flower down the other side of him to Remus. "Here, it was the best I could find." The buttercup was one of the first flowers to break through what was left of the winter snow. "Why are they leaving cousin? Can't they stay?"

Klaus spoke in a way that showed he was in no hurry. The words were slow, full of thought, his voice one that would put even the most anxious at ease. "My people do not enjoy the warmth that Spring offers. Our pelts are too thick and it makes us hot. Like the Forests who go into hibernation when Winter takes over, we Arctic's return to our homeland when Spring takes over."

"Does that mean we won't see you again?" Remus gave a whimper, pausing the last bit of his work to cast a glance up at the Arctic. "Ever?!" Romulus squeaked from his position atop Klaus' back.

The Arctic shifted, careful of his horns so that he did not bump Romulus with them. "We'll return. When the first cold wind blows, we Arctic's will come with it. That's the natural balance. With Fall, we return, with Spring, we leave. Just like how Forests are the reverse. With Spring, they return, and with Fall they leave."

"This means we have to say goodbye?" Romulus, pawed at the antlers, lightly bapping them.

"Hmmm...Some of my kind will remain a few more days yet. So I will leave with them. I will stay three more days." He shifted as Remus got to the lowest bit of his braid, out of the corner of his eyes, he could see the bright yellow of the buttercup.

"Three days with our favorite cousin is better than none." Remus tied off the braid and cuddled up closer to Klaus. Romulus lay, curled on the broad back of the Arctic.

"Aye, that it is." He sighed, lowering his head, following the suit of his younger cousins. A nap sounded wonderful.