Redsand Canyon Cut slope.

She was past due for a visit to Mereo. Although her back hadn’t hurt much lately, she took it easy as she made her way out of the valley. @Leona trotted alongside her until they reached the borders, then opted to patrol versus accompany her mother to the canyon.

Following a path that wound around the northeastern flank of The Sunspire, Towhee eventually arrived at the northern edge of the canyon. She picked her way toward a familiar outpost and then took a moment to rest. The ridges of scar tissue along her backbone ached a bit more than usual, though it was easy to ignore.

After catching her breath, the former Praefectus raised her voice to announce her presence and request company. She would be thrilled to see anyone, though Towhee hoped to see @Fennec, maybe with @Germanicus or @Killdeer in tow. It would be nice to chat with Tierra or catch up with @Phox too. But she would just have to wait and see who showed up.

First one there would be Fennec. By now she was aware that her idiot (affectionate) sister was tucked away and probably wouldn't make it out for the visit, but she'd never let a visit from her mom go unmet. Well... now she wouldn't. She was a capricious bitch, even at her best (again, affectionate - she owned that shit).

Luckily any summons Towhee gave could be heard two territories away. Fennec knew where she would have needed to come from, so found the spot pretty easily as she moved up towards the path to Epoch. When she sensed she was getting close, she tossed out a greeting, figuring she might have to say it twice if Towhee hadn't, in fact, noticed her. Hey! Paradise get a little boring?

Fennec was happy to hear her, though. She'd just been considering a visit to deliver the news, but between rank changes, new arrivals, and the move she hadn't had the time yet. This was way easier.

If it wasn’t for you guys insisting on staying here, Towhee quipped, I’d honestly never leave the place. Her lips curved into a smile Fennec might not be able to see as she grumbled playfully, But I guess y’all are worth the effort. Holding down the fort and all of that?

Towhee wanted to ask her how things were going with Germanicus. Even more so, she wanted to ask about Killer. Why hadn’t her grandson come to see her? Her brother hadn’t stopped by yet either. Towhee just hoped they weren’t angry with her for relocating. If they were, though, she was sure they could work it out.

He swallowed down the betrayal. Kept it tight within him. It threatened to surface when Towhee's call rang out, but he again forced it back and away, not lighting his gaze or choking his voice.

Instead, he came, arriving after his mother, a smile upon his face.

Gramma, Killdeer greeted, and strode forward to nuzzle her briefly with both the confidence of a warrior and the affection of a grandson, eyes slitted in comfort from the latter. I missed you. What's up?

He stepped back to flank Fennec, tail flicking unconsciously against her hind leg in reassurance.

The two made a handsome team, if he did say so himself.

Yeah, actually. There’s- Fennec broke off as Killdeer entered the scene, smiling in an easy way that really was reserved for him. She knew Towhee’s leaving bothered him (something that had had her nervous, for a while) but she was glad he’d shown up.

He stood close, letting her know where he was with his words and the light touch of a tail. Fennec would let Towhee greet him first before giving her updates.

Before Fennec could give her the latest updates, Killdeer appeared. Towhee’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. She couldn’t restrain herself, springing toward him as he padded closer. He reached to nuzzle her and she nosed him back before slinging a foreleg around his shoulders and hauling him into a quick hug. Towhee then released him, thumping him fondly on the shoulder before stepping back. Her face glowed with pride as she appraised him.

Damn, it’s good to see you, Killer. I’ve missed you too, Towhee said with feeling before answering, I’m just here to visit. Your mom was just about to loop me in on all things Mereo.

Towhee maneuvered herself so she could see both their faces, then reached out and touched Fennec’s shoulder in invitation to continue. She then caught Killdeer’s eye and beamed at him, winking for no particular reason before training her eyes on Fen’s lips.

The hug warmed even the iciest recesses of his heart (of which there were few, obvi). He pulled away after a long moment, smiling, and registering what Towhee had said.

Sure, he replied. He glanced toward Fennec. I'll hang around as long as none of it is, uh, confidential, he added, chuckling slightly.

He wanted to stay in Towhee's orbit for as long as possible.

But if it was needed, he'd leave. But ugh. He did want to stay.

Fennec had thought they’d want to talk more, but apparently she was going to be given first pass at it. She gave an amused expression at Killdeer’s question, wondering what he was inferring (and coming up with a few guesses). Nothing you don’t already know. Anything confidential from her son was pretty much guaranteed to be for Towhee too. About the only thing she’d ever spoken with her mom about sans Killdeer was Bronco - and those days were pretty far behind her.

Mereo’s had some changes. You’re looking at the new Imperatrix. She liked that it matched her husband’s title, as a way to claim themselves a set without being required to change her name. Germanicus and I talked, and I had some ideas on how the ranks might be improved. Now only diplomats do a stay in Akashingo. Or another pack of their choice, even. She smirked, knowing that was one of her mom’s main pain points here.

A pack like Epoch, if they wanted and you all were okay with it. Killdeer hadn’t ever shown much interest in being a diplomat, but she wondered if something like that would strike his fancy. They’d be going on their ‘march’ soon but after… as much as she loved him being here, she wondered what he would think if she wound up with more kids this spring. Would he want to stay here and help with them? Or go experience new things with his grandmother in Epoch?

Last time he hadn’t chosen her, and she internally kicked herself into being okay with the possibility he might do something similar again. She wasn’t perfect, but holy fuck, she was trying. And it was a whole lot easier now that she had things to look forward to again.

Fennec sent an amused look her son’s way, assuring him that he was welcome to stay. Meanwhile, Towhee mouthed several playful threats if he even thought about going anywhere when they’d literally just reunited. She then winked again before returning her focus to her daughter.

Her head reared back when Fen revealed her new status and title, as well as the changes in Mereo. Towhee was glad to hear it, though there was part of her mildly irked that it hadn’t happened until they’d gone. Maybe if the Imperator had relaxed his structure earlier, she and Maxim wouldn’t have felt the need to relocate. But they were happily settled in Epoch now and it was moot, so she would make no mention of it.

Thank fuck you guys did away with that, she did say, and I think that sounds great. Congratulations on the swanky new title. It kinda sounds like you get to spank Germanicus around now. Kinky, Towhee joked, making sure to grin at Killdeer before adding, Of course, I’m not a leader so I can’t speak on Epoch’s behalf officially, though I support the idea of visiting us over the royal coyote brothel one billion percent.

He still wasn't sure how he felt about the changes. He supposed it was good, to relax a little. Then again, he'd liked the structure; Mereo and Germanicus had molded him from boy to man. Well, kind of man. He still felt a lot like a boy many times.

Especially when Towhee mentioned "spanking" and "kinky." Killdeer grimaced.

I'd be down for a visit to Epoch, he chimed in, hastily swerving the subject away from his mother and her new husband. How is it there, Gramma?

Close as it was, he hadn't even snuck a passing glance while hunting or on patrol. He still wasn't sure how to feel that Towhee had just left them like that, though of course it was good she visited now.

Fennec was fine to move on from the subject of the changes, mostly because she wasn't sure how much of the reasoning she wanted to reveal. She laughed silently at Towhee's remarks, but it hadn't exactly been that. Germanicus hadn't changed his mind because she made him. He'd changed his mind because the way he saw Mereo had changed. She didn't necessarily want anyone to think less of him for it, but Mereo was no longer a transitory pack, or just a stepping stone to something better.

It'll always be a military, as long as Germanicus is in charge. But it should be home too. She shrugged instinctually, then turned her attention (and ears) to Killdeer.

Visiting Epoch was always how it started, seemed like. Killer said he was happy in Mereo, but she got the sense he wasn't telling her everything - and no way was she prying. She'd answered his questions, but shoving her new relationship down his throat wasn't her style - and being a dad to him wasn't Germanicus'. They'd known each other before she'd even gotten here. Everything about this was weird.

She really hoped any visits would be just that; visits. A part of her doubted it, and that part knew she wouldn't stop him if that was the case. Fennec was probably a terrible mother for preparing ahead of time, but really, better safe than sorry.

Her grandson’s words immediately snared her attention. Towhee beamed at him, though before she answered his question, her gaze shifted to Fennec to catch her words. Conversations like this were always a bit of a challenge for her, though Towhee couldn’t think of two wolves more worthy of the inevitable strain.

It’s like being on vacation all the time. The valley is like a little piece of paradise and the vibe there’s just very peaceful. We still stay active—I teach a couple courses every week and still do regular patrols, for instance—but it’s definitely the most relaxed I’ve felt in… years, probably. It helps with the whole healing thing.

Towhee made an absentminded motion toward her back, forever gnarled with knots of scar tissue spanning along her backbone. She would never regret making the sacrifice to keep Mereo safe. It was the reason she’d needed to settle elsewhere, though she wasn’t mad about that at all. She did miss seeing these guys every day, though they were literally right next door.

Maxim and I are officially planning another litter in spring, so you’ll definitely have to come by, Towhee said to Killdeer in particular, eyes then cutting to her daughter. Same goes for you, though I’m guessing you might be busy with your own batch…?

Naked hope showed on her face. Towhee would love to welcome more grandchildren into the world. They wouldn’t be a few doors down but they would be in the neighborhood. She could already imagine all the play dates they could plan together, once they were past the actual childbearing parts.

She wondered how Killdeer felt about the prospect of siblings and her eyes cut to him briefly to assess his expression. That was when it hit Towhee like a bolt of lightning out of a calm sky: her grandson was coming of age and could theoretically make her a great grandmother this coming year.

Eh, he didn't want a vacation, or easy. He liked the discipline Germanicus had forged into him.

And then talks of litters. 

Siblings, cousins, grandsiblings. . .whatever. He couldn't hardly keep track of who already existed. He shifted uncomfortably, giving the two women a sheepish grin.

I should go check on. . .yeah, he ended lamely, then Killdeer exited scene—though not before giving Towhee and his mother an affectionate nuzzle.

He was still a momma's boy, after all.

She was glad to hear her mom was doing well. There would always be a part of her that wished she had stayed here, but her experience with the Emberwood attempt had mellowed any resentment she might have felt when she was younger. What-ifs didn’t help anyone and she’d made too many mistakes to hold it against others when they chased their own happiness. She could be happy that they were right next door instead.

And happier still that maybe, this year, they’d both have a reason to celebrate. She hadn’t gotten involved last year with Towhee’s kids; it had triggered too many of her own crushed hopes to be around them. Again with the what ifs, but fuck, it would have been cool to have her mom here to raise them together again. This time with a dad that was there.

She hadn’t spoken about it with Killdeer, but she listened with slight consternation as he dismissed himself abruptly. Yeah, alright. Later, okay? She wanted to talk to him. She’d track him down later - for now her tone was a mix of affection and amusement. He always dipped when the subject of the future came up.

He does that. She clarified for her mom when Killer’s steps had disappeared from her range of hearing. I know he’s happy for me, but it’s hard to tell if he’s happy about all of it. Fennec wasn’t as open about things as Towhee was, but it was hard to understand her son’s complete avoidance of any talk surrounding Germanicus and her. If things go well, I’ll definitely be busy with my own. Even her son’s quick departure couldn’t stop the smile of actual, honest happiness that lifted her expression at the thought of it.

She opened her mouth to ask Killdeer if he had any prospects when he abruptly announced his departure. Towhee’s mouth snapped shut and she blinked. Though puzzled, she leaned into his touch, then bared her teeth to nip fondly at his ruff as he turned away.

It was good to see you, Killer, she said, gazing after him for a beat before turning so she didn’t miss what Fennec was saying.

She chewed at the inside of her cheek when Fennec indicated his sudden exit was part of a pattern. She would take her daughter’s cue—she didn’t seem too concerned—and respect her grandson’s obvious need for space, even though hearing this made Towhee want to chase him down and bear hug him until he talked to her.

Fen said she did plan another litter, which softened her. Her brain made an obvious connection between Killer’s hasty retreat and Fennec’s good news. Maybe he didn’t know how to feel about younger siblings. Towhee tried to remember how she’d felt about her godparents’ later litters, though it had been so long ago, she couldn’t really remember. She liked to think she’d embraced older sisterhood.

I can’t wait for spring, Towhee mused, then asked the question she hadn’t been able to pose to Killer himself. Weirdness about your sitch aside, does he have any plans, I wonder…? You know, he could make you a grandmother this season, she pointed out with a delighted cackle.

Fennec flicked her tail as she thought back to their previous conversations. He’s never mentioned anything. In fact, she hadn’t even considered the possibility. Between his aversion to the subject and his indifference to finding anyone, she’d gotten the distinct impression so far he wasn’t at all interested. And that was something she could relate to; she’d felt similarly until he came along.

I would be surprised. I don’t know if that’s something he’s interested in, and if he isn’t, I don’t want him to feel like he has to. Not yet or ever. She knew that her mom could get a little gung ho, and while that had never affected her, Killer looked up to Towhee. There was a bit of a suggestion there, but it wasn’t pointed, and her smile stayed where it was.

Some wolves loved the idea of being a grandparent, others hated it. Fennec didn’t seem bothered about it, though she quickly defended his autonomy. Towhee nodded without thinking. She would love to be a great grandmother and probably wouldn’t resist the urge to tease Killer given the opportunity, though of course he should make all decisions regarding fatherhood carefully and of his own volition.

Hey, speaking of fathers, Towhee thought aloud, not even pausing to acknowledge that Fennec couldn’t read her thoughts, where’s yours? How’s he doing? I feel like we haven’t talked in a while.

Fennec’s expression went from surprised, to confused, then to worried in a fairly swift series of moments. The last time I spoke to him he was coming to Epoch. He’d been going to visit her, but if Towhee was asking…

Didn’t he visit? It didn’t sound like it. Which didn’t bode well, and made Fennec regret even more that he’d chosen to go in the first place.

A concerning series of expressions drifted across her daughter’s face. Towhee swallowed, suddenly intuiting that something was amiss. When Fennec mentioned Phox had gone to visit Epoch, it was her turn to pull a couple faces.

Not that I know of… Towhee said slowly. When was this?

picking an arbitrary timeline bc it’s been like a month and a half since his last thread and I’m not sure when he actually dipped. In my mind this makes sense though?

A couple of weeks ago. At least. Fennec had assumed he’d stay a month or so to get a feel for the place and make his decision, so she hadn’t worried. She’d figured she would see him when she next went to visit - but between the move and everything else she hadn’t gotten around to it.

He was thinking of joining. But he said he wanted to see what it was like first. A slightly forlorn note entered her tone, one that Towhee wouldn’t hear. That meant something had happened, most likely. Given their history it was hard to think it was anything good, but Fennec chose to hold onto the hope that he’d just met someone and chosen to go their way instead.

It was the same hope she held for Fig, though tossed in there was also the hope that her brother didn’t hate her for what she’d done.

Towhee’s insides went cold at Fennec’s reply. Phox had come to visit her a few weeks ago? He had never turned up, at least as far as she knew. Surely someone would’ve mentioned it if he’d arrived at the borders. She didn’t think it was remotely possible he’d gotten lost between here and there, so… what the fuck?

He’s not in Epoch, he was never in Epoch, Towhee said quietly.

For a long moment, she said nothing else, instead plumbing her mind for any possible explanation for Phox’s no show. Had something waylaid him? Surely someone would’ve realized quickly. The path between Epoch and Mereo was traveled frequently by various people. Even if he’d strayed from it a little, surely someone would have seen something.

I’ll ask around back home, see if anybody knows anything, Towhee said after a moment. Is there anything else I should know before I head back?

Fennec had fully intended to tell Towhee about Tierra and Minne's encounter, but the news about her dad took all of that completely from her mind. She was too busy thinking about what could have possibly happened to him on such a short trip - and trying not to imagine at the same time.

No. I'll... we'll do the same. She switched it after, knowing she'd tell Germanicus and anyone else who might be able to keep an eye out. She would likely walk the pass later and look for trails, but by this point, she knew it would be futile. It would just feel better doing something.

Instead of saying anything else, Fennec stepped forward and embraced her mom, giving her a tight hug before she left. She had even more reason to be grateful for Towhee - despite moves and changes, she was one constant that Fennec could always depend on to be there.