Citizen 392 Merlot

Summer wasn’t a tough season for most; food was plentiful, and rexals traveled to their hearts' content between villages under the protection of The Dome. Some used it as a break, finally resting with winter far enough away not to worry anyone. Merlot was born during summer, and just as most would've expected, he was as warm as the sun and as joyful as could be.

He enjoyed summer from the beginning, learning to walk and talk, making friends, and sharing adventures—small ones, at the time—with whoever was willing to accompany him. His parents took it upon themselves to teach him the ways of the world, immediately hitting the road soon after he hatched, ready to introduce their little bundle of joy to a world that would surely welcome him.

When his first winter came, Merlot simply couldn’t believe his eyes. He was still small at the time, small enough that his parents could still force him to bundle up before taking him out. Had he had any fur covering his body, perhaps they would've allowed him a little more freedom. It was still early the first time snow graced The Dome with its touch, early enough for Merlot to be asleep and early enough for his parents to prepare what they thought would be the most magical surprise for their pup.

The blinds were closed, purposely of course, to keep Merlot from looking outside as he stirred awake under the soft touch of his mother’s paw. She nudged him when he whined, promising the most sought-out breakfast in Merlot’s mind; hot chocolate and cookies. It wasn’t every day that one got dessert for breakfast, after all, and Merlot wasted no time jumping on his little paws after the menu was shared.

Without a care in the world, he ran out of his room and towards the kitchen, only for his oversized tail to hit the door on the way out, forcing him to stumble to the ground. Under his mother’s gaze, and with his father’s chuckles as the soundtrack, Merlot wasted little time before getting back up and resuming his adventure.

Reaching the table was hard, even for Merlot, despite his attempt to jump onto his designated chair. There his mother helped, picking him up and letting him down gently right in front of his plate. As promised, breakfast was served, and Merlot didn’t even stop to think that the day could get any better than it already was.

A knock on the door was a little distraction for a pup with sweets placed in front of him. Merlot continued to eat, ears twitching just a little at the sound he so easily ignored. His father stood up instead, shaking his head as he exchanged a little grin with his beloved before walking up to the door and opening it just enough to glance outside.

Of course, Velve was there. It came as no surprise, really; the pup liked to show up whenever she knew Merlot was home, and she always knew exactly what to say to lure her friend outside. Fortunately, her voice alone asking if Merlot was awake was enough for him to forget completely about his cookies and jump out of the chair as if nothing had been holding his attention moments before.

“VELVE!!!” Merlot yelled, and for once, his parents didn’t mind. It wasn’t exactly what they had planned for Merlot’s first snow, but it was good enough.

“It’s SNOWING,” the little girl's voice from outside came before Merlot’s father could properly open the door and just as his mother was starting to grab a coat and a scarf for her pup to wear.

Merlot didn’t register what had been said until the door fully opened, and there, Velve stood, right in front of a completely white garden that looked very different from the one Merlot remembered from the day before. It was snowing indeed, and Merlot had been told what it meant, of course; he just didn’t imagine snow to be so… overtaking.

Briefly he stopped, mouth wide open, eyes stuck in an awestruck stare. It gave his mother just enough time to put his coat on him, and just as her hands left Merlot, he immediately began to run outside at the scream of “SNOW???”

He slipped soon after, and then a couple more times as Velve led him away from his house and into the road not far from it where pups had already been gathering. From the doorstep of his house, his parents' watchful eyes followed Merlot’s every movement, ready to intervene if he didn’t get right back up after a particularly bad fall. Fortunately, despite the initial stumbling, Merlot found himself playing with Velve without any more accidents as snow continued to fall from the sky.

Winter was a tough season for many, but not for Merlot. His warmth wasn’t quite strong enough to melt snow, but then again, snow was fun! Snowballs were even more so, despite Velve continuing to aim for Merlot even if he could barely hit her—he knew he had to work on his aim. Merlot was born during summer, and yet, winter did not scare him. How could it, after all, if it meant cookies and hot chocolate paired with a playdate with his best friend EVER!

written by: FeralYEEHAW