![[Image: dblxk1u-206919d9-ca61-483a-82dd-8f771da2...1lKuoRAFOw]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/86f701d2-768a-4e83-a13a-55dac0dab4c8/dblxk1u-206919d9-ca61-483a-82dd-8f771da2112c.gif?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzg2ZjcwMWQyLTc2OGEtNGU4My1hMTNhLTU1ZGFjMGRhYjRjOFwvZGJseGsxdS0yMDY5MTlkOS1jYTYxLTQ4M2EtODJkZC04Zjc3MWRhMjExMmMuZ2lmIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.C27pLjYdgxBGv6BHHf4cT7c6Ky21zPgu11lKuoRAFOw)
It was quiet.
Until it wasn't.
As Sreda reached toward the rose, eyes narrowed in scientific observation, she didn't hear the tsunami approach. It all happened quickly. There was a waft of new smell — burning fur and chemicals. And then there was a screech, followed by a thud and the systematic shattering of ice. Pieces of sharp snow flew toward her face, and she lifted her extended paw upward to cover her face as she instinctively squinched her eyes shut against the onslaught of sharp shards.
After things had settled, Sreda lowered her paw, opened her eyes, and instantly landed her sharp gaze upon the creator of chaos. She'd peer down at him over the bridge of her narrowed nose, pursing her lips as she noted the shattered flowers.
Time for an explanation.
Are you having a medical event, or are you always this clumsy?
Her voice was even and steady despite the clear judgment that her words might portray. Her gaze, as usual, betrayed nothing of the inner workings of her mind.
What she didn't notice was that the path behind her seemed to be growing more and more of the roses magically. It would seem there were plenty to go around ... and plenty more to lead them down the path to the second part of their adventure.
But Sreda's attentions remained laser-focused upon the stranger for now.