rudolph ended up with a lot of bruises and two sprained legs, overall he was fine though, nothing some bandages and a few days of rest wouldn't fix. the race had been called off this time, as no one really wanted to run again and others were busy figuring out what arrow's punishment should be. he'd told everyone that it'd been an accident, that he'd tripped, his father backed him up on this even though the stag hadn't actually seen what'd happened. being a fairly kind town the punishment likely wouldn't be too harsh, and it was eventually decided the buck would have to spend three days picking apples and collecting firewood in the forest.

zoey was currently sitting in rudolph's shack, the two were sharing hot cocoa by the fireplace as the winter winds started to pick up. the sun would be setting soon, so zoey didn't have much time to stay, though in the meantime the two young deer chatted with each other.

"you broke up with arrow?" rudolph questioned, raising one brow inquisitively.

"we weren't really dating anyways, he just decided i was 'his doe' and started telling everyone that. i never really liked him in that way."

"i'm glad you stood up for yourself, i hope his punishment will teach him to be a bit nicer to people."

zoey looked off to the side, sighing softly. she really didn't think that'd ever happen, arrow had been an asshole since the day he was born. seriously, his mother had jokingly told her about how when he was little he'd randomly head-butt people, zoey didn't think he'd ever change.

she looked back up at her companion and smiled warmly, lowering her ears and eyelids half way as her pretty brown pupils glittered in the fire light. "besides, i think you're a lot cuter than him anyways."

rudolph blushed and zoey gave a wink, she leaned in and pecked rudolph on the cheek, then she noticed it was about time for her to head home. "i have to go now, meet me tomorrow afternoon at the clearing?"

rudolph gulped, and nodded slowly, not quite able to form words. zoey giggled, finished her cocoa and then headed out the front door, leaving rudolph to stare shyly at the marshmallows melting in his drink.

the next morning zoey was walking through town, the sun shone bright and birds chirped happily in the distance. people were out and about doing their daily tasks and chatting merrily, zoey had a content smile on her face as he strolled at an even pace. then the does attention was caught by a thud! she gasped and looked to her right, there a petite light beige doe was trembling in front of a box she'd just dropped.

"ohhh..." the doe looked up, then to both sides, biting her lip. she straightened a red and white polkadot bow that sat on her head, then leaned down to try and pick up the box again.

"excuse me?"

the doe gasped and looked up, her amethyst orbs meeting zoey's chocolate pools.

"sorry if i startled you, do you need any help with that? it looks heavy." the larger doe questioned.

"i um..."

zoey traced her eyes over the others form, she did not recognize her, but she could tell that despite being smaller, this new doe was around her age.

"s-sure, if it wouldn't be a bother." she smiled, her cheeks warm. "my name is clarice, i'm n-new to town!"

zoey helped clarice with the large cardboard box, the two finding it much easier to share its weight as it sat on their backs. they walked side by side, clarice pointing to where she needed to go.

"i figured as much, i'll be glad to help you move in if you want." zoey offered.

"ohh no no that's okay dear! besides this is everything haha, i didn't have much to take from home."

"where are you moving from?"

"um, a much smaller village on the other side of the mountains."

zoey blinked at that. "really? you traversed the mountains with this heavy box?"

"i'm a tough cookie, you know!" clarice bit her cheek. "um... there is a path, it's only three day walk and there's not much out there aside from bunnies..." she swallowed, looking down. "...and wolves." she murmured.

"ah."

the two finally made it to the small empty house, it's door was already open so they didn't have much trouble getting in and setting the box down.

"what is your name?" clarice asked, looking up into the other doe's eyes.

"oh! my bad hehe, my name is zoey!" elegantly she did a swift bow and then bounced back into a standing up position. zoey wasn't too much taller then clarice, the latter's head only reaching zoey's chin. clarice giggled at the little show, her ears folding back as she smiled sweetly.

"well, zoey. feel free to visit me any time, i quite like your company and wouldn't mind hanging out." she blinked three times in quick succession, her long eyelashes waving.

zoey blushed, and nodded. "of course! actually, i could show you around today once you're done getting unpacked!"

"that would be lovely."

zoey nodded, then turned and walked toward the door, before she exited she gave clarice one last glance. the pale furred doe waved at her, and zoey closed the door and started walking home.