Chapter 12: Snowdrops of Ice

It fell like smaller dancers from the gray clouds. Moving down, across, over and siding with one another, ending with all stacking on to each other on the ground. Covering everything in their wake. From streets, plants, outdoor furniture; benches, tables, lights, and so on. Houses of their roofs as well.

Tone all in one color. Cadaverous. So pale, clean, spotless with few areas of greens breaching through it. Feeling so soft in the air, but slick and hard on the ground.

The sun rays held a tinted glow about the clouds, lighting little of what it could. Not enough to melt, but close to give a sparkling shine to the snow about, making it more of piles of gems, than a pointless solid element found during the cold season.

Gentle blows of ozone spheres, nipping those not use to the chill. Who only choice to rushed more to where they needed to get to, passing words about how the weather seem to oddly be harsher than ever before.

All of this saw from tiny eyes through a chalice lunettes window. Showing such delightful fascinating.

Pointed ears twitched when crackles of wood breaking from the fireplace now and then. Yet, not once looking away. Pads of the kit's paws slightly numb from the frosted tint window, but showed carelessness of it. Only flexing to try to get feeling back. Along with a tail swishing back and forth, in a matter of pouncing something, but sadly, that damn clear blocker known as the window stopped him from doing so.

Having his ear dip to the sides of his head in sign of sadness, but changed quickly when white flakes brushed up against the glass. Cheering the kit without knowing.

Unknowing of a set of eyes watching him from a distance. Closing the other's own eyes for a moment when feeling a hand stroke his head in a calming matter.

"Quiet day, huh, guys?" Their human owner asked, knowing he wouldn't get a response back, chatted on. "Isen, I'm heading out for a bit. Keep an eye on him. Okay."

Isen gave a tired and bored meow to his owner. To which the owner took as an answer. And started to get ready to leave. With the door soon opening and closing, signing he was gone.

At the finally click of the door, brought the kit from his daydreaming. Looking around the living room. Only seeing the older cat. But the human was gone.

"Where did he go, Russia?"

"Out. Just us, until he returns."

The kit gave a set of wide, pure, and endless wonder to the other older cat. Soon looking back out the window once more.

"Out there?"

"Where else would humans go if they want to leave the house?"

Russia took notice of the smaller cat's ears twitch, signing that as a shrug. The tail swinging with calmness but also excitement.

"I don't know, but wow . . . "

"Strange feline you are."

"I want to go outside. Russia, please . . . pretty please."

"Het, mоя маленькая мышь. Too cold. Your stitches are still healing. Wait is all you can do."

"But what if it goes away?"

"It's the first week of winter. You have lots of time, little Latvia."

"But . . . "

"Another word and I'll find a way for your master to place you back in the crate."

"I'll be quiet." Latvia ended in a sad tone, moving closer to lean on the glass, pawing at passing flakes.

Russia just gave a sigh, shaking his head, leaving his bed near the fireplace and wandered over to the kit. Giving a quick jump without thinking, sitting next to the kit, looking outside. Trying to understand what was so grand about the cold, soft-ice, sheets of snow that just seem to keep the kitten in such a calming matter. Much faster than any toy or nap this kitten has ever done.

"Why do you want to go back out there? From what I recall from my master, little mouse, you almost waned when you were found." Russia stating the facts, knowing that he was once again pressing about Latvia's past, he'd just wanted a little more understanding of the small feline's odd choices.

Latvia choose not to speak, ears bending to the sides of his head in sadness, and looking away from the older cat.

When seeing that Latvia wasn't going to speak. Russia went ahead to add something else.

"I remember a time of when I too once thought like you. Wanting nothing else that wandering out there and hope for the snowdrops of ice to fall upon me and forever pin to the earth's land. Slowing taking my last breath and maybe for once be at peace. But that is something that comes easy. There was always something stopping me from finding them and end me. It is no choice but to let it be and go forward what is left in this time we call life."

"You might have something keeping here. But not me, Russia."

"Het. I don't think that is true."

Latvia glanced at the other.

"You have a master who loves you to death. His mate and friends. And me, for I have to guide you. Unless you want to end up as those anencephalies before you? Then go ahead. Seeing that look in your eyes won't stop you." Russia ended with leaving the windowsill, crossing the leaving room, last seen at the entrance that lead to the hallway.

"The look in my . . . " Stopping himself and glancing back at the window, seeing the faded reflection of himself, and the eyes glinting as Russia said.

The very look he had when he decided to run away like before.

Closing his eyes, rocking his head side to side, in hopes of losing that glint. For that the new home was from better than his last. Why would he run from it?

"Because . . . " Latvia started to answer his unasked question, but stopped, seeing that the answer would only hurt more if said out loud.

Taking the risk to look over his shoulder, towards the entrance, wondering what to do next. Seeing Russia was able to read him like an open book.

Running a limp paw over his face, wiping away unlikely tears he had, seeing as the truth started hurt. But for a little different reason. With that, having his tail wrap around him, blocking out the world like he always did when feeling weak. Soon curling up into a ball, shivering of the cold of the glass rubbing against his fur . . . or knowing that it was time to come clean.

Yet, making that choice was easy alone. How others will react is another thing all on its own.

Be it good. Or not.

"I think Russia lied when he said cats had it easy." Latvia said to no one, but, himself with a slight pout on his furry mouth.

" . . . the snowdrops of ice to fall upon me and forever pin to the earth's land. Slowing taking my last breath and maybe for once be at peace . . . "

Remembering that little bit words of wisdom, had Latvia uncurled, stretch out his body, jumping down from the sill. Rushing off to find Russia.