the fallen woods [stars writing]

The snow hadn't fallen yet, but it was colder already. Marshstar frowned up at the sky from where she sat outside her home. Beside her, the first new member of her Clan, Snailsnatcher, was shivering. "It's times like this where I miss home," Snail said.

"It's only going to get colder. We'll have to prepare," Marsh said, looking down in worry. "Are you really this cold already?"

"Sorry," Snail replied. "I just haven't spent a winter outside before. How do you manage?"

"Here, I'll show you." Marshstar got up and walked over to the edge of the hollow tree, where several branches with leaves had fallen. She grabbed one and motioned for Snail to take another. "We get all the leaves we can and we build some insulation for us around the inside of the tree. Then when it gets cold at night it'll be easier to stay warm."

"Oh! Won't we need a lot of them, then?"

"Yeah, we will," Marsh nodded. "So get to gathering! There's only so long before all the leaves fall for good."