Winter 2023

The icy grip of winter refused to release its hold upon the surrounding area of Medi’s ship. From morning until dusk, the winter blizzard raged outside the window, shielding the view in a sheet of white. A hand held out at arm's length would have been invisible to its owner, had anyone ventured out. Those daring souls who braved such conditions were considered to be tempting death more than displaying bravery.

Ice had begun to cling to the window's corners, streaking down in a beautiful formation that lay exposed in the middle. Pinpoint heat from the ship radiated here, ensuring that everyone inside was nice and cozy.

Winnie clutched the window, much as he had done a week prior. Still wrapped up in his Butterfly Wing Cloak and still quite sick, but on the road to recovery. Unlike his previous state of discomfort that left him weak and grumpy, the boy was now in better spirits. One hand held onto the window to feel the chill of the storm, while the other gripped a steaming cup of Blossom's Sleepy Time Tea. Unlike the previous week of isolation, where he had only Blossom and Magna, the winter kettlekats, for occasional visits to aid his health, this time he had company. Wrapped up with him in his Butterfly Wing Cloak were two ship companions, using the cloak as one giant cozy blanket. All of them were feeling much better and wished for some company in their misery.

"We are on the up, boys," Quinn coughed while sipping honey-laced tea from a snowman-shaped cup. "It will only get easier from here." The purple and yellow brow stayed positive, with their gaze resting heavily on the fire in front of them.

"This should be over by now... taking too darn long," grumbled Diaval, who was also intent on staring at the fire. He tucked his left wing in as close as possible to keep it under the Butterfly Wing Cloak, while the right was outstretched long and comfortable, with the other two leaning on it. Something about his wings gave them extra support, radiating warmth that was excellently cozy. "Not like we would have much to do anyway," he added, waving his hand to the window as the winter storm raged on.

"At least it does snow here," Winnie murmured, blowing on his tea before taking a sip. His hand moved from the window to rest upon Magna for a few pets. The kettlekat had snuck into the room, signifying that Blossom would soon be here with more healing tea and snacks for them. "Couldn't imagine being stuck on a planet that was only hot all the time.”

Both Diaval and Quinn looked at each other and then gave Winnie an affirming nod. They couldn't complain, as they too had been looking forward to the splendors of winter and what it had to offer. The first offering to them, however, was a disappointing illness that was running its course. Soon, they would be built up to take on any viruses or curses the area had to offer when they were better.

Blossom came in with a tray of cookie-like treats, plenty of seasonal shapes and colors to choose from. Some were savory, others were sweet, and a few even had herbal medicine to sneak in order to make one better faster.

“You all look much better snuggled together instead of gloomy in your rooms,” she smiled, placing the tray down and getting her teapot ready to fill their cups. “The idea of you all coming together did you a lot of good. I'm glad.”

"It's a lot more fun with others too," Diaval coughed. "Warmer, and it heals you better too."

"I much agree. A good snuggle pile to sleep in always makes me feel like a browlet again, buried in a pile of siblings to sleep," Quinn chimed in.

"And it's nice to read to one another when we can't fall asleep," Winnie added. "Too bad Medi couldn't be here to join us."

Blossom winced, feeling bad when she heard about Medi and their desire to see him. Magna let loose a sad little noise, curling closer to Winnie and Quinn.

"Yeah, he is very much too sick to join the rest of you," Blossom momentarily thought of poor Medi in his room, completely out of sorts. "I told him about this idea, but he would much rather stay curled up in his bed with the fire and bucket," the winter snow brow sighed. "Seems he caught the virus that makes you vomit."

"That's definitely worse than what we had… but you did have the razor blade throat, Quinn," Winnie commented.

"Oh, that was the worst! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Couldn't drink, couldn't eat, could barely sleep. I thought I'd lose my voice forever," Quinn acted dramatically, almost slipping their tea as they reached for a sweet cookie to munch on.

"I doubt that would have been a bad thing," Diaval added quickly with a laugh and another cough.

Quinn nudged Diaval in the side lightly, causing him to involuntarily cough again. Winnie started his own giggles, enjoying the bickering of the two, while Blossom just snickered, collecting what she needed before leaving. Magna circled around the three before leaping over to Diaval's lap, seeking a new set of hands upon her.

“Does any of you need anything else for when I come back? I'll be off to visit Medi and give him his items next,” Blossom spoke, emptying her tray onto their closest table. She would leave all the goodies behind because it was made just for them. Medi would receive a different set that would help to aid in stopping him from vomiting so much—ginger and orange-flavored foods and drinks.

"Just tell Medi I hope he feels better soon like us. Tell him to get better quick so we don't have to go sledding without him,” Winnie was the first to respond. He sipped at his tea with a sigh, feeling the warmth not just from the fire before them but from within too. His gaze then lingered on the blizzard outside again, daydreaming of all the fun he would soon have.

“If you don't mind, could you make some jello for me?” Quinn noted, also feeling the warmth of the tea as he drank. “My throat is still feeling off, and I think it would just be nice. Toss some healing herbs in there to swallow easily too. Grape would be my favorite flavor of choice if available!” Quinn gave a pet to Magna as she purred in Diaval's lap, snuggling in closer to the area they now deemed bed. Butterfly Wing Cloak being tucked closer to them and the other two Browbirds they adored so.

Before Blossom could respond with a yes, Diaval was speaking next. So she simply gave Quinn a smiling nod.

“Just keep bringing the tea, Blossom! And those tasty savory cookies,” Diaval found himself partial to the more meaty and Italian herb cookies. The browbird had not had a proper meal other than easy foods in a week. Tasting the feast-flavored items only excited him for the real foods he would eat in town when the blizzard was gone, and they were all better.

“Very well...” she spoke not to anyone in particular, but then as a whole. Wishing the three sick browbirds a good night, she went off to her other duty patient on the ship.