Gu Ning was hugging a warm "pot" to stay warm, snacking on dried meat with Cook. When she saw Barto had replied, she immediately messaged back: [I didn't see you, so I already came back.]
A few minutes later, Barto dragged his slightly weary body back to their residence.
"I got held up with something today." Barto shook the snow off himself at the door, then closed it and looked at Gu Ning.
Gu Ning grabbed a blanket to dry the melted snow from his head and handed him a note: It's fine. I can come back by myself from now on.
Barto watched Gu Ning crouch in front of him, diligently drying his fur. He shoved a bag of Crystal Stones into her hands, then, looking a bit awkward, clutched the blanket and walked over to sit by the heater. He turned his head and his eyes met Cook's, who was already enormous.
"Woof?" Cook offered the snack in his hand to Barto, grinning at him.
Barto: "...This guy, how did he get bigger again?"
