Iranda buried her face in her left hand and shook her head slowly. Of all the children, she would have thought that Z'neth would have had a little more patience than that. "You're not dressed warmly enough," she said finally.

Z'neth glanced down, noting that he did have a sweater on and his snow pants and snow boots. "Oh?"

Iranda gave a very firm nod. "No going out to play in the snow until you get a jacket on, Mister. The snow's not going to go anywhere."

Z'neth pouted for a moment but relented and went to go find his jacket. He had promised Peak he'd teach him how to make snowballs.

"And make sure Peak's dressed properly as well," she called. "We don't need the two of you coming down with the flu again!"