Peek: Winter Wonderland

Poe looks out over the yard from his perch near the chimney, more appreciative than ever for the warmth wafting up from it.  Last evening, it started snowing, and it only stopped a couple hours after dawn.  Taskmaster as he often is, even he couldn't bring himself to send out the usual expeditions.  He did still have to send out some, as it wouldn't do to be fully blind because of a bit of unpleasant weather, but those expeditions were much shorter than usual, or involved hunkering down in known locations that provide a bit of shelter while also providing a good vantage point.

With the late morning rolling on, the clouds are dispersing and the denizens are able to resume their duties, at least in theory.  There are fewer delvers than usual this morning, almost certainly because of the thick layer of snow over the entire town.  With fewer delvers to engage with, the denizens are finding their own entertainment.

While most are staying inside where it's warm, the smaller denizens seem to be following a few vague ideas from Lord Thedeim.  The hands, rats, and even Poe's own crows and ravens are playing in the snow.

Most of the rats seem to be in the back yard, digging trenches and drawing battle lines in the snow.  They mostly jump and tackle each other, making a game of covering their peers in as much of the cold powder as possible.  Joining them are some of the hands, though most are in the front yard.  Both groups of hands are doing the same thing: participating in, or preparing for, a snowball fight.  The ones in the front yard dash around on their fingers before diving, hoping to dodge a lobbed snowball while gathering the material for their own.  In the back, the hands coordinate with the rats to build their stockpiles and plan their attack and their defense.

On the roof is a small smattering of hands and rats, but most of the activity is from the corvids.  The flat walkway from the attic to the bellfry is littered with scraps of leather or cloth, and even a few thin pieces of metal or wood.  Beside each piece is a bird, or occasionally a hand or rat, waiting their turn to slide down the sloped roof.

Some go without any gear, opting to slide down on their back or belly, though all caw or squeak their joy at just sliding through the snow.  The hands don't make much noise, but the wiggling fingers make their happiness obvious enough.

Poe watches, even as he feels the attention of Lord Thedeim settle.  The bond radiates happiness and contentment as the denizens have their fun, and Poe can even feel a few ideas drifting through the bond.  For his part, Poe is content to watch.  While the sliding does look fun, he's a bit large to go sliding around.  The denizens can slide many times their body length before reaching the end of their journey, where Poe would barley get a single length of himself before reaching the end of the roof.

He admits he's a little jealous of the fun, but not too much.  His perch is nicely warm, after all, and he can feel happiness from Lord Thedeim at seeing the large raven enjoying himself in his own way.  Yes, he'll let the denizens have their fun in the cold and wet, while he watches over them from his warm perch.  A concept from the bond even gets him thinking.  He doesn't know where he'd get a brown drink with little floating white things, but something warm to drink would be nice.  Perhaps he can ask Queen about it later, or maybe Honey.

For now, he's going to enjoy a bit of vicarious frivolous fun.

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Inspired by jkbscopes, who wanted to see the crows having a bit of winter fun.