The snow was falling in big clumps outside, the light reflecting off of the pure white surface in a deep gray through the skylight window– it was covered in a thick layer of the white powder mixed with ice of course. The tan and yellow Pacapillar slipped through their burrow carefully as they tucked themselves deeper into their scarf, the air was bitterly cold even with their fireplace roaring between the kitchen and living room.
Juniper spent the morning cleaning and clearing their burrow, with the heavy winter weather in full effect they’d not bothered to leave their burrow unless absolutely necessary– like when they’d run out of whipped cream and had to run to the store (it’s a necessity they swear!)-- so the burrow needed a deep clean. They’d started around approximately dawn but now that it was past lunch they needed a break and a decently hot drink… something preferably really hot they were cold dang it!
As Juniper passed a long perch they’d crafted a dark form fluttered awake with sleepy chirps and curious sounds. Beady but kind eyes and a white face peered over tiny wings as the creature unfurled and shook itself out; Juniper’s Mr. Batty– lovingly nicknamed Dandy– Cheeped and chirruped, fluttering down to flap around Jun’s head as they started pulling ingredients out of their storage to plop on their stone counters.
“Yes, yes, did you have a good nap, Dandy?” June asked with affectionate exasperation as the Batty fluttered up to knock their bag of food off of the upper shelf. Juniper squawked as it made a loud thump on the counter.
“Alright, alright I got it, time for lunch!” Juniper laughed good naturedly as they took the food and poured it into Dandy’s favorite decorative feeding dish, the absolute spoiled brat. As soon as Dandy was munching happily Juniper went back to fixing his own snack… though the snack just turned out to be a big cup of hot chocolate.
Juniper turned on his stove, lighting the logs with the tried and true method of rubbing two sticks together (Their flint and steel broke unfortunately), and once it was lit they started to boil some water for a double boiler. As the water slowly came to a boil they pulled out a bag of chocolate chips they’d traded from a good friend of theirs and poured them into a glass bowl which they sat on top of the other pot.
As the chocolate melted they pulled out a carton of milk and their largest drinking mug, some cinnamon, and their coveted whipped cream. Shifting between stirring melting chocolate so it doesn't burn they got out another pot to warm up their milk, stirring that with a clean spatula; Juniper also started making homemade cinnamon rolls as well but those would be for later. It took some time for the chocolate to melt and the milk to heat properly but once they were all hot and ready Juniper poured the chocolate, then the milk, into their mug.
Juniper spent some time mixing their milk and chocolate while adding a hefty amount of cinnamon but once they’d deemed it enough they put, admittedly, too much whipped cream on top then sprinkled some more cinnamon as a final touch.
Once everything was done and cleaned they took their mug of hot chocolate to the living room, crawling up onto their egg shaped chair and tucked themselves under a heavy fluffy blanket, their mug having only been set aside long enough to get comfy before they picked it back up. As the snow fell outside and their fire crackled in the fire place they took small sips of their piping hot chocolate, small hums of appreciation echoing around the cozy room– Juniper knew they’d probably not finish cleaning after finishing their drink, they’d even probably fall asleep but that was a future Junipers problem.