Luneshale Pass Rise and reign.

Her leg felt a lot better lately, though Towhee still took measured steps as she walked the borders of the pass. She stopped every few yards to refresh the markers on the fresh claim, taking a moment to survey the surrounding desert. Nothing much stirred out there, save for the occasional tumbleweed.

Bushtit had come and gone, delivering a promising message from @Killdeer. Hopefully one of them would bring further word as things developed, she thought as she tucked a yawn being an upraised paw. Towhee soon set it down and resumed her slow, shuffling walk.

@Leto?

It was beginning to grow uncomfortable for Leto to wander with her swollen belly and sore legs, but despite this she had managed to make her way out to the borders of the pass. She had grown restless being cooped up in her den.

A woman she was not yet familiar with walked along the border, and considering she was marking as she went Leto assumed she may be a Verapaz member as well. Curious, she sped up her pace to move into the other's eye line, giving a small 'woof' in greeting.

The next time she paused, she dropped her head to sniff at an old marker before scratching a forepaw over it. When she raised her head again, she did a double take. A woman strode her way, her fur pale and her sides round. Towhee’s orange gaze fixed on those swollen flanks as she gingerly rotated her body to face the approaching woman.

She didn’t know anyone here aside from Soto and Fiamma. Surely there must be others… but who else but the Segundo would’ve knocked up this lady? Towhee knew she was being a busybody by wondering, though in her defense, any children Soto sired would be Bushtit’s baby siblings. So that kind of made it her business.

But instead of saying anything about it, Towhee only offered, Hey, and then, What brings you to the borders? The “in your condition” left implied.

She can see that there are questions; it seems obvious to Leto from the look in the strangers eyes. I wanted to walk. She gave a simple answer, for there was not much more to it than that. Who are you? I'm not sure we've met before.

Her tone had lost some of it's bounce in the recent weeks, the fatigue washing it away. It likely would not return until after the birth, but she knew that even then she would still be losing sleep for some time. Puppies could be loud, and when you were the one responsible for them it was not as simple as going back to sleep when the cries woke you up.

Valid, Towhee replied, although it would probably be safer to walk somewhere deeper into the pass.

And she would’ve offered to accompany her, yet she hadn’t ventured beyond the outskirts herself. The thought tempted her—a little tour of sorts—but Towhee resisted the idea of integrating too solidly into this pack. If she was going to properly commit herself somewhere, it would be to Killdeer, not Soto or Verapaz. She appreciated the Segundo’s generosity but she figured she’d given him the world’s raddest kid and actually shared him, so they were square.

I’m Towhee Redhawk, she answered, noting the weariness in the woman’s expression but not commenting on it. You might know my son. Bushtit?

She dismissed the suggestion without acknowledgement. However, she lit up a bit at the mention of Bushtit. Oh - yes! He had been teaching me Ptero, I believe he mentioned you as well. In her mind Bushtit's mother had to be the world's coolest rogue wolf, but now she could learn what sort of woman she was for herself. If Soto had gone as far as having a child with her, then she had to be something special. My name is Leto.

Careful not to rush herself she soon sat down. It would only be for a moment, but damn did her legs need it. She was more than ready to drop these puppies and get back to moving the way she used to.

The look on Leto’s face was answer enough. Towhee smirked a little at the way her expression lit up at the mere mention of Bushtit. Her son was rather charming, she knew. She didn’t know how that had happened, considering his parentage.

She made it clear she had no plans to heed Towhee’s suggestion when she sank to her haunches. The Redhawk shrugged inwardly and rotated slightly to face her more squarely. Leto looked utterly careworn, a feeling with which Towhee was quite familiar.

First time? she guessed.

She responded with a long 'mmhm'.

Hopefully not my last, either. It was stressful and definitely a pain in the ass, but she had always known she wanted to be a mother. Maybe not in this exact situation, of course. Leto had always imagined there would be a partner of some sort to go through it with her.

Noting her prior conversation with Bushtit, she asked a question of her own. You've had a few litters, right? You must be proud.

She couldn’t hear the hummed response, though the context clues sufficed. Towhee considered her words, finding them a little strange. She understood the sentiment but why should someone her age have any doubts about subsequent litters? For that matter, why was Leto thinking about that at all, especially when she looked half-dead on her feet?

I have, she said, and I guess I am. ‘Mom’ is one of my favorite titles, probably only second to ‘grandma.’ I hope you feel the same when they get here. The last few weeks of pregnancy and the first few weeks postpartum are the hardest, though you look strong enough. You’ll get through them. And I probably don’t have to tell you that it’s worth it, in the end.

Clearly, she wanted motherhood, if her prior comment was anything to go by. Towhee wondered how her pregnancy had gone so far. And, of course, she caught herself wondering once again who’d gotten her in this condition.

I know I’m being super nosey here, Towhee acknowledged, but who’s the lucky dad?

It was good to hear reassurance from a more experienced mother - that alone brought her a small sense of clarity. I hope it is. I used to be much more of a runner, before this - I miss being able to do that. She gave a small laugh as she spoke, clearly not too sad about it. She knew she would be able to get back to running one day. I definitely feel like crap right now though.

The question that came next was far from unexpected. It was a fair curiosity considering Towhee's son's father was in Verapaz and certainly could have been the one to lay with Leto as well, but alas he was not. Her answer would be far different if that was the case. Me, as far as I'm concerned. I don't want to acknowledge either father. There were plenty of other men in Verapaz who could be positive male role models should her children need one. Plus, there was no real way of knowing who was Castel's and who was Beau's - but they had not done the work of carrying these children, so why should they be there's at all? They aren't Soto's if that's what made you curious.

Leto’s answer immediately endeared her to Towhee. She smiled in approval, not that she needed it. She considered telling Leto about her own take on such matters when the woman tacked on something mildly distracting.

I did wonder, she admitted, then shrugged, but we’re certainly not together. I only wondered if our kids would be half-siblings. She supposed not. Good for you, though. I raised several of mine on my own too. It was nice having a coparent while it lasted…

Oh, Maxim, she thought. Towhee paused, giving herself a moment to think of her long lost—and long dead, without a doubt—mate. But then she refocused on the conversation at hand.

But I’ve always considered the mother much more important than anyone else. You carry them, you bear them, you feed them—all from your own body. It’s hard work. Worthwhile work. Work only a mother can do, Towhee circled back, shooting Leto the sort of smile that only a kindred spirit could give.

She gave a nod, glad to hear that her belief was not strange. I always thought I would have a mate to have children with, but things don't always work out the way you want them to. She speaks halfheartedly, feeling some sense of regret. She had come to Verapaz following a man who she thought would be such a partner in her life, only for him to disappear without a trace. But if you managed on your own more than once, that gives me a bit more confidence. If Towhee raised several alone, Leto could manage one litter.

Neither men have done much of anything for me so I don't expect them to do anything good for their children either, you know? She speaks with a frown, failing to hide her mild irritation. Beau was sweet, but he had shown a strange sense of vengeance for her one-night situation with Castel, and well, she hadn't seen Castel since he knocked her up. One had laid with her to make a point, and the other only to disappear the next day; not exactly father material, unless she was looking for the kind who planned to go on a hunt and never come home with dinner. But you're right. I'm the one my children will rely on, there's nothing wrong with that.

This conversation reminded her of Ceridwen. Hadn’t she always told the younger woman that there was more to life than the conventional routes? The more Leto talked, the more she reminded Towhee of herself. She mentioned two possible sires without batting an eyelash. Although the circumstances weren’t necessarily ideal, she couldn’t help but think, Good for you.

It’s easier if you have a good support system, Towhee shared, not at all sure where Leto might stand in that regard, but don’t doubt that you have the tools to care for your children yourself.

She supposed she could offer her support along with her guidance, yet Towhee was nothing if not noncommital when it came to this place. She pressed her lips tightly together. Hopefully Soto, Fiamma and whoever else made up Verapaz would be there for the new mother, though they didn’t quite strike her as familial.

I didn’t even tell Soto that Bushtit was his until the kid was pretty grown, she shared, wondering if the baby daddies were among those in the lowlands pack. I had a lot more support with previous litters, but Bushtit… that was all me. And he turned out pretty damn cool, didn’t he?

He is a good kid. She responds with a small laugh. Bushtit reminded her quite a bit of her younger brothers during their interaction, it was hard not to like him. Slowly pushing herself back to her feet, Leto decided it was time to go; she was beginning to cramp up again.

I think I'm going to go back now - I feel like it's time to lay down. She speaks with a sigh, tired out from this brief outing already. If you're still here when the puppies are born, you and your son are welcome to visit. I'd love for them to meet you two.

Turning away, she began her slow stride back to the dug out whelping den for what would likely be a long nap.

The conversation meandered to a companionable close as Leto pushed onto all fours and declared her departure. Towhee nodded, crooking her paw near her temple in a salute.

Take care, Leto, she said to the woman’s back.

She kept an eye on her until the expectant mother vanished deeper into the territory. Towhee clicked her tongue as she began moving slowly again, eyes roving outward. What with her leg on the mend and Killdeer’s plans, she doubted she would ever meet Leto’s offspring. Bushtit might though.