Gate of Memoirs/Snow Business

Wolves. Why did it have to be wolves?
—Voice of the Forest—
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Where it Rains"	Music: "Where it Rains"
 	
*Narrator: "It was an uncommonly long and terrible blizzard this year."
*Narrator: "Men and beasts alike huddled in their dens, whether of wood or stone..."
*Narrator: "Driven to desperation, each ventured deeper into the other's territory."
*Narrator: "Of course, with fire and lead, Man had the greater advantage..."
*Narrator: "...But savage fangs and teeth were not to be underestimated, especially when their owners were terribly hungry."
*Narrator: "Boxed in by the bitter snow, a family of wolves trudge sullenly along, unaware of their prize..."
 	
*Maeri: It sure is quiet. Where are all the animals?
 	
*Maeri trails through the powdery snow, clutching Woolie close for warmth and security.
*Her footprints quickly disappear into the unending white, leaving ominously clean streaks.
*After a few minutes, several dark-furred creatures weave through the thin trees in a neat line.
 	
*Maeri: Oh, Woolie, look!
 	
*Maeri: Wolfies!
 	
*A particularly large and scarred one, perhaps the leader, sniffs around before giving a short bark.
*The wolves split off, and a moment later, a loud cry pierces the air.
*Panicked Voice: AHHHH!!!
*Panicked Voice: Help! Please, anyone!!
 	
*Maeri: Huh?!
*Maeri: Someone's in trouble...!
 	
*Maeri runs toward the scene as fast as her legs can carry her. 
*A lone boy, sprawled out on the ground amidst his belongings, is scrambling away from the advancing wolves.
*Panicked Boy: Please don't eat me...!
 	
*Maeri: We have to help him, Woolie!
*Maeri: Hey! Bad wolfie!
*Maeri: No one gets hurt in my dream!
 	
*One of the wolves pricks its ears up, and soon, the entire pack advances in her direction.
*Their unfriendly growls could only mean one thing...
Music: "Mimic" 	Music: "Mimic"
 	
*Maeri: E-Eh?
*Maeri: It didn't work...? But it's my dream!
*Maeri: Um...I-I didn't mean that...
*Maeri: N-nice wolfie... Maybe...leave us alone...?
 	
*After a tense moment, one wolf snarls and makes a vicious lunge.
 	
*Maeri: Ahh!!
 	
*Maeri: *gasp!*
 	
*An enormous, glowing stag stands tall before Maeri, having intervened at the last moment.
 	
*Wolves: *growl...*
*Wolves: *SNARL!*
 	
*Maeri: ... ...
*Maeri: Huh?
 	
*The scene is frozen in a sort of tableau—the stag, with its proud head raised high, standing stalwart against the wolves' fangs.
*On the floor are tattered pages, half-buried in the snow.
 	
*Maeri: ... ...
*Maeri: Weird, what's going on...?