SUGAR SWEET [open + joining]

"One step, two step, three step, four! I wonder how many more!" The soft sound of snow crunching beneath his paws brought the tiny feline more pleasure than it should have. "I sure do hope I find food soon, cos' otherwise I'll... eat my paw!" A long string of giggled bubbled from his throat, broken every now and then by joyous hiccups. His legs were numb and cold, and his stomach tightened with the familiar void of hunger, but still Milu's toothy smile refused to fade. He pounced from place to place, searching in the snow for the heartbeat of a hiding rodent. He hadn't found anything yet, unfortunately, but Milu knew that it was only a matter of time before he got to munch on something other than snow. Even now water dripped from his jaws, tricking down to soak into the ribbon tied tightly around his neck. The bell attached to the soggy red fabric jingled with the slightest movement, so it wasn't with the upmost subtlety that he approached the village in the distance. But of course, even without his bell, it would be hard to miss the child's cheery voice.

"Hello! Hello?" He called, wandering straight over the border. "I'm hungry, someone feed me, please!" He was beginning to wonder where everyone was. Perhaps he had stumbled across some sort of ghost town? That would be fun, but Miluina doubted that he'd find any good food in a ghost town. He swayed to a stop to sniff the air, turning in small, energetic circles.