Northstar Vale Shiny toy guns.

I’ll do my best, Towhee vowed sincerely.

“Things are good, mom,” he insisted. Despite his entire family leaving him here in this broken paradise, Jack seemed to be thriving. Towhee was glad, though part of her worried that she was missing something…

She put aside her vague misgivings and paid close attention to her son’s words. Arsenio was teaching Jack how to cure skins, which was certainly a handy life skill. Her son seemed to be fond of the leader, which made Towhee a little jealous but mostly she was just glad he had a sort of father figure in his life after everything.

I didn’t know that, she replied with a huff of laughter, admitting, I know what singing is, in theory, but it’s so hard for me to truly understand what it means. I’m glad he’s not terrible, Towhee added with another laugh, completely unaware of Jack’s supposed faux pas.

Looking around for a moment, Towhee pushed her tongue against the back of her teeth as she contemplated something. She didn’t think Arsenio, Tamar or any of the other wolves here would mind if she came into the territory—excepting, perhaps, the young twins—but that wasn’t what really held her back. It was all the memories. A lot of time had passed. But was she ready to face them?

Do you think you could show me some of the skins you’ve worked on? Do you have any you could maybe stand to part with? I’d love to have a keepsake, especially if it smells anything like you, Towhee said, grinning sheepishly at her grown child.