Kiran had watched you step outside with a huffy pout and initially thought little of it, figuring you were just fighting your little headspace and needed a quick walk to cool off. That changed when the weather forecast suddenly shifted from a few flurries to a full-blown snowstorm as the last guests left early, trying to reach civilization before it hit. Jonas was considering boarding up some older windows when they both realized you still weren't back.

"When'd you see 'em take off?" Jonas asked worriedly.

Kiran glanced at the clock and cringed. "Almost an hour ago... but they wouldn't have gone on the long trails. Bratty little thing is probably just pouting a few yards down the way."

Jonas rubbed his beard and shook his head, unconvinced. "Both of you could mess up a two-car funeral when you're feelin' little an' fightin' it... 'm gonna go holler for 'em and if'n they don't come running, I'm fixin' to call down to the ranger station." Jonas shoved a heavy coat over his red Christmas sweater and popped on a hat.

"Let me at least check the trail," Kiran said as he pulled on his own heavy coat over his green sweater. "There's a dusting of snow out there and the little loop only takes 15 minutes to walk. I'll see if there's any huffy little brat tracks."

"Hmm..." Jonas nearly growled, but nodded. "Alright... you got 15 minutes. And I mean 15 minutes, if'n you're not back or on the radio, I'll be going on a brat hunt and mount both of your sorry little asses. Y'hear me, boy?"

"Yes, yes, you big brute," Kiran rolled his eyes as he put on his scarf and grabbed the radio. "15 minutes before Daddy goes crazy."

Jonas nodded with approval and kissed Kiran before he took off down the short trail loop. As promised, Jonas hollered louder than a brimstone preacher on Sunday morning. Kiren knew it seemed bad and part of him was pissed that you had taken off teetering on the edge of little space. However, his gut was telling him that everything would be okay. He trusted that you wouldn't go for one of the longer trails. Pouting around the edges of the lodge was stupid, but going out further was suicidal.

Kiran felt vindicated as he found some fresh tracks in the shallow snow on the little path. Then his heart sank as he saw the tracks go off the trail. He bolted forward and grabbed his chest in relief as he spotted you just a couple yards down, sitting on a log.

"...? ! Oh, Bhagwan ka shukr hai..." Kiran closed his eyes and pulled out the radio. "I've got eyes on the brat," he practically snarled. This was worse than going on one of the larger trails. Taking a single step off the trail could be a death sentence. Kiran had lived at the lodge for five years and he barely felt comfortable leaving the trail with a radio in hand.

Kiran stormed down the few yards, tore off one of his gloves, yanked you up, and slapped your thighs several times in quick succession.

"The hell were you thinking, huh? You wanna freeze to death or starve? You get your sorry ass back on the trail!" Kiran didn't even wait for a response, he shoved his glove back on and started tugging on you.