Redhawk Caldera m-i-c-k-e-y m-o-u-s-e.

He breathed a sigh of relief when the Caldera at long last came into view in the distance--the first one he'd breathed the entire journey. Figment Redhawk had never been a traveler. His internal compass was faulty and he longed too much for his destinations to enjoy the roads in between. Still, it would be a long time before he ever forgot how to find his way home.

Fig picked up his pace to a canter and ran the remaining distance along the shores of Lake Rodney. He was exhausted and out of breath by the time he reached the borders, but he hardly noticed as he dipped his muzzle and breathed in the familiar scents of his family. @Towhee, @Fennec, @Phox... They were all here. A huge smile of relief spread across his face as his tail wagged. In a matter of moments, he was lifting his chin to call for them, hoping someone was near Towhee that could tell her that her son was home again and calling for her.

Her stomach hurt so much lately, she could barely eat and spent most of her time curled up in the Hobbit Hole, sleeping. Feeling physically ill also made her depression worsen. By now, Towhee could admit that to herself: she was fucking depressed. The self-awareness probably had a lot to do with Caracal constantly asking her what was wrong and staring at her in concern. She still couldn't admit it to him or anyone else but, yeah, she could acknowledge it in unhappy silence.

Today, she forced herself out of the Hobbit Hole into the August sunshine. She took a deep breath and tilted her face toward the sky, closing her eyes. She probably looked quite disheveled but Towhee didn't care. One step at a time, she made herself walk toward the borders. Any time she needed to pause and rest a minute, she gave herself that. Slowly but surely, she found her way there.

The Sovereign intended to turn right back around and return to the den. She couldn't patrol in her condition. This was enough of an accomplishment for today. But then she saw Figment standing there, beaming even more brightly than the summer sun, and Towhee's breath caught in her throat.

cameo bc fennec is an absolute bitch rn <3 sorry XD

As excited as Fennec was to hear her brother's voice, there was no way in hell she was meeting him. Her conversation with Bronco kept up a constant loop in her head, and on top of that, there was a chance she'd run into either her mother or Ruenna if she did. Neither of those were at all manageable right now and, somewhat spitefully, she figured she should leave it to them to handle.

After all, she wasn't one of them. It wasn't her job anymore.

Fennec had always been selfish and the needle had upticked wildly this past while. The only wolf she ever gave an inch to anymore was her son. As a result, hypocritically, she was extremely (and unfairly) hurt by Towhee's acceptance of her demotion without argument. By all rights she should have been glad - would she have felt better if her mom had refused?

Probably not, but reason doesn't always get a say in this sort of shit.

All she saw was her own frustration, her own pain, and the fact that Towhee had seemed endlessly more interested in Killdeer than in checking in on her own daughter. She didn't bother to note that such conversations not only went two ways... but usually, even moreso, requires a willingness to speak. She was bound and determined - everyone was public enemy number one.

Resolved, she stayed where she was. Her brother could come to her if he wanted to talk, but she hoped he didn't. Everything was fucked enough right now as it was.

It came as no surprise to Figment (though it should have) that Towhee was the first to find him. His face broke into a huge smile at the sight of her. He hurried towards her, but fell short before crossing the borders. He knew he was likely allowed, but he was no rule breaker, regardless of how excited he got.

"Mom!" he called happily, reaching to embrace her once she (presumably) came near enough. He buried his muzzle into her ruff for a moment before pulling away to take in the sight of her. Only then did he notice that she was looking a bit rough around the edges. He wondered at this, but didn't broach the subject just then.

When she finally exhaled, a whine escaped along with her breath. Her legs felt a little jellylike as she began moving toward him, though if she wobbled, Towhee paid no attention. The instant she reached him, he reached out to her. She sagged into her son's embrace, mirroring him as she planted her own snout in his nape. As she took in his familiar smell, her breaths hitched. She shook a little.

Fig drew back after a moment and Towhee had to blink sudden wetness from her eyes as she stared into her eldest's. Finding herself unable to speak, the Sovereign signed, -It's so good to see you.- It had the sentence structure of a platitude, yet Towhee had never spoken truer words in her life. Figment couldn't magically cure her of all her ailments on the spot, yet his presence was an enormous comfort.

Please tell me you're staying, she thought desperately, though she managed not to beg out loud. Finding her voice, Towhee croaked as she said, -"Welcome back. Just visiting? Or here to stay?"-