Craig sighed happily. His breath condensed into a billowing gust of fog in front of his face in the morning sunlight. The round badger had arrived at the ski resort late the previous night, so it was like seeing the whole snow-covered setting anew in daylight. Unlike in warmer situations, he was wearing clothes to stave off the cold: thick boots to protect his normally bare paws, a heavy jacket that went down to his hips, a scarf nestled amongst the collar of the jacket and a knit cap on his head. Sunglasses were also a must because of how bright the reflection off the fresh powder covering the resort was. 

       He came around the side of the building to find a small café, open to the air for those who didn't want the hassle of getting out of their snow gear just to grab something to eat or drink. Seated up against the side of the lodge itself was a large St Bernard. The hefty dog was positioned that most of his body was in the shadow of the structure but his ball gut and legs were set out into the sunlight. Because of this Craig almost didn't understand what he was seeing. The badger changed direction, starting to come up from behind the big dog, walking alongside the building, into the shade.

       The large dog was bare, despite, or perhaps because of the weather, considering his natural heavy fur coat. He was talking quietly, directed at somewhere on the far side of his medicine ball of a belly. Or at least that was what Craig thought until the canine noticed him approaching and turned. The broad belly swung around to reveal that there was no one where he'd been talking toward at all. The St Bernard smiled warmly and beckoned to the badger. "Hello there, friend."

       Craig perked, initially confused. He closed the rest of the distance, looking around and wondering where the person the dog had been talking to had gone. 

       The big hound tilted his head at the way the badger was looking about, and then his smile broadened with amusement. "Lookin' for who I was talking to?"

       Blushing, the badger nodded. He hardly came up to the top of the belly while standing and the big dog was seated!

       "Allow me to introduce myself." The St Bernard stroked the side of his belly affectionately as he spoke. "I'm Gerome. I work search and rescue on this here mountain."

       Muffledly, inside the belly, a timid voice spoke up. "I... uh... I messed up last night."

       Craig jumped in surprise, and then stared at the big belly. 

       Gerome chuckled at that reaction, stroking along his belly with both paws in slow soothing motions. "I'm also first aid for hypothermia. I'm treating a patient right now."

       The badger looked between the dog's smiling face and his ball gut, blushing. He eventually nodded. "I... I see." Craig fidgeted, then leaned towards the belly. He spoke up a bit louder to address the patient. "I hope you feel better soon!"

       From inside, the unseen person spoke up in reply. "I'm already feeling a lot better! Got the feeling back in my fingers and toes n' everything!" He got a little quieter as the timidity from before returned to his timbre. "Just Gerome here says I have to stay a bit longer, to be sure."

       Gerome nodded firmly and patted his gut firmly with his palm, the ball letting out a sound akin to a timpani from the impact. "That's right. If I let you out too early you might just lose all your heat again."

       Craig blushed deeply at the bass resonance and the situation the other critter had found himself in. "Well, at least you have good company while you wait." The badger said to the trapped patient, averting his eyes a bit.

       "Y-yeah..." The hidden person agreed, the belly lightly shifting from movement within, but not showing any change in shape. "It's really comfortable too."

       The badger chuckled awkwardly, "Maybe I should get lost in the snow if it means spending time recuperating in there."

       Gerome shifted his weight, looking Craig in the eyes. "You shouldn't joke about that. Hypothermia is a serious matter." His warm friendly smile was gone, replaced with a jowly scowl.

       Craig deflated at the admonishment, but his cheeks flushed a bit brighter. He fidgeted in place, twisting one boot on the snowy deck of the café. "I... ah... I meant..." He couldn't quite meet the big dog's gaze.

       Slowly the St Bernard's expression softened. Jerome sat back in his seat and shifted around until his belly was in the sun once more, patting it lightly with his fingertips for another bass rumble of impact. "If you really want into the tank, you could ask~"

       The badger huffed, rubbing the side of his face with a paw.