A Soft Hollow for the Night

I trotted inside from the porch as night quieted the house, heading across the cool floorboards to our corner. Beside the fuzzy bear's resting arm lay an empty woven wool tea cozy, padded and tipped onto its curved side. I stepped forward slowly and pressed my snout into its quilted hem. The thick wool yielded with a gentle, muffled puff of air that smelled of sweet dried herbs. Turning around with steady little steps, I backed my rear hooves deep into the rounded dome until only my ears stayed outside. I rested my chin against the bear's warm, familiar fur, feeling entirely peaceful.