The day after the snowstorm, the Clouded Leopard shook the ice crystals off its whiskers and gently exhaled a breath, transforming into a tuft of white mist that dispersed, while its amber pupils reflected the snow-covered forest.
After three consecutive days of heavy snow sealing off the mountain, the Rock Sheep took refuge in the sheltered valley, and the Mouse Bar usually within reach on the trees was nowhere to be seen.
The rumbling of a hungry stomach mixed with the howling northern wind drove it to tread the soft snow, stealthily moving toward the orange lights at the foot of the mountain.
Originally, it could have gone to the First Aid Station for food, but a few months back it had quite the brawl with that outrageously fat cat. It mocked the cat as a domesticated pet, while the fat cat sneered at it for being a primitive and inflexible fool.
Now, going there for food felt akin to admitting defeat.
