In silence I watch (Morbik and Buckwheat)

The fall air, now so crisp and chilly, stung the dark mouse's cheeks, making him want to approach one of the various sheltered homes around him and soak up all of the heat possible. Paired with the occasional leaf drifting peacefully in the wind, slowly making its way to the ground, it finally seemed like Fall had finally come. The usual scents of baking pie and crushed berries made into paint now filter through the air around the marketplace with scents of smoke and warm, strong cups of tea. Most of the colony was undoubtedly preparing for the coming Winter and all the challenges it would bring with it, from the freezing temperatures to the low supply of food. Even now, fires were being lit and cloaks were being donned, everyone doing their best to keep warm and still be social. One lone figure stood at the outskirts of the marketplace, watching like a hawk for any wrongdoers. His position was perfect for what he was doing - a rock which he had climbed to the top of, enabling him a fairly good field of vision over Winterwhisker's homes. Mice bustled and hustled through the paths between structures. The crowd seemed even larger than the norm, likely due to the rush of stocking up on items for the cold months. Morbik, however, had already purchased all the dry meat and and fruit he could possibly need, as well as several strips of cloth that would serve as blankets, or, if needed, he could have them tailored into more cloaks. He had not waited until the middle of Fall to accomplish all of this. Rather, he had rushed off to various stores the first morning that he woke up to chilly air. He was glad, now, that he had not put off his shopping until now. Trying to purchase anything with so many mice jostling and pushing you would be a nightmare. 

He shifted into a more comfortable position, drawing up the hood of his cloak in a desperate attempt to keep his ears warm. He almost always wore the cloak, even in the summer, because of the camouflaging effect it seemed to have. Whenever the buck held still enough, he seemed to almost melt away. Or at least, the cloak melted away. But it had saved his life more than once, and gotten him out of some fairly difficult situations. After another moment or two, the towering figure wordlessly began the descent back to the ground, something he accomplished with ease. As his paws touched the grassy soil, a voice to his left called out. The jet black buck turned towards the sound, seeing a chocolate brown mouse who likely would reach a height just below Morbik's shoulder. The buck frowned, his gaze turning from the brown mouse to the tree which he was staring up into. He felt sorely tempted to join them, but knew he should probably be doing other things. Come to think of it, he hadn't visited Della in quite a long time. Perhaps he ought to see if Mavonly was free so that they could could check up on the old doe. Still, the dark buck lingered, anxious to see what would happen. He told himself he ought to stick around to see if the buck on the ground meant harm. Morbik assumed there was a mouse up in the tree, but he hadn't bothered to look. He was more focused on the one who had called out, looking for any sign of aggression of deceit. He figured that he would wait and see how the mouse up in the tree responded. Morbik drew the hood closer around his body, both for protection against the chilly breeze and so that it would be harder for the other mice to realize his presence. If this took too long, the mouse would have to leave. But for now, he was staying put.