Heron Lake Plateau Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes,

She was worried that if she kept working so hard she'd stroke out, but there was no end in sight to the things that needed to be done.  Everyone was doing their duties, and with Screech not sitting around sucking up an entire other packmate, she hoped Niamh would double down too — she had been keeping up while she was taking care of Screech, but he was undoubtedly a resource-suck.  

She had some other business to attend to as well.  After doing a shit job at hunting, she decided to track @Towhee down and formally thank her for extending her kindness to @Tuathal.

In a perfect world, Towhee would have left the plateau hours ago. But she needed to gather her scouts, including X, and that took more time than she would've liked. By the time she summoned the hawk, gathered @Niamh and then sent out howls for @Tegan and @Colt to meet them at the edge of Grouse Thicket, it was late afternoon.

Even as the Beta collected pack mates, another came looking for her. She spotted the red coat as she, Niamh and their feathered escort began making their way down the slope that led beyond the plateau. Towhee didn't have time for an impromptu social call, though she saw the expectant look on the Epsilon's face.

-Go ahead,- she signed to Niamh. She could go wait at the rendezvous point in the hopes that Tegan and Colt would join them. Trying to reign in her impatience, she then turned to Ceara and said, "I heard you helped my sister. Thank you," in way of greeting.

She gave Towhee a short nod as she studied the Beta's body language.  Something was up, but she couldn't quite tell what.  You're welcome.  I.. couldn't.. not help her.  There's no way I was just going to let him get away with attacking her to begin with, and she's pregnant to boot.  She shook her head.  She kept having the thought like, what had he been thinking?  But he hadn't.  He hadn't been thinking, and that was the entire issue.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you the same thing.  Thank you for sticking your neck out for my brother.

Nonetheless, Towhee appreciated Ceara's efforts. The Beta had been too busy moping to be there for Raven, not that she could've known this would happen. Fortunately for all involved, Niamh and Ceara had come to the medic's aid in her time of need.

The Epsilon's next remark caught Towhee off guard. Her mind was very much preoccupied with other matters, though she took a moment to place Ceara's brother. Ah, she remembered, Tuathal. "I hardly stuck my neck out for him," she rejoined with a scoffing but good-natured smile, which only flashed across her face briefly before the Beta resumed a much more stoic expression.

"Speaking of brothers and necks, I'm actually headed out to break Screech's. I'm sorry to cut this so short..." She paused and licked her lips, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "Quixote's with her but Rave mentioned that you might help with looking out for her while she recovers. Considering I'm taking three of our ablest bodies with me, would you mind...?"

Yay, Ceara doesn't have to be asshurt!

She flashed Towhee a brief grin.  Whether or not Towhee thought she had done much for Tuathal, the Beta's word still mattered to Ceara.  Even though she was pretty sure her brother's pitch would've worked just as well on any one of them, Towhee still offered her word for someone she didn't know.

Ah, that's what was up.  Sure.  Do you know where you guys are headed?  She didn't know Niamh was part of the search party, but she should have figured by Towhee's comment.  Good luck.

Ceara readily agreed, then inquired about the Beta's mission. Towhee shook her head, her jaw clenching a little. "No, but I've got some talented scouts and trackers to help me hunt him down." Her words were toneless as ever, though there was a grim malice about her face now.

"Thanks again for looking out for Rave," she said, dipping her snout. "I have to get going, gotta gather the troops and head out." With a final glance, Towhee swiveled and began loping after Niamh.