Redhawk Caldera Magnet (639Hz).

It was nice, waking up in the Hobbit Hole beside another warm body. It made Towhee think of better days. She closed her eyes but didn’t fall back asleep, just rolled over a little and relished the coziness. She nosed toward Bushtit’s ruff, burying her muzzle between his shoulder blades and letting out a contented breath.

Too soon, her son roused and disembarked from the hillside lair. Towhee took her time getting up and trundling outside. Something soft struck the back of her head. She spun, glaring daggers at the laughing Bushtit standing on the hillock above her, framed by the naked dogwood tree. Her orange eyes dropped to see the dead squirrel he’d thrown at her.

Nice, she remarked, dropping her head to sniff at the kill. It was fresh. I assume it’s a parting gift? You headed out?

Bushtit nodded, jumping down to join her and butting his head against hers. Towhee leaned into his affections, savoring them. Because soon enough, he said his goodbyes and disappeared toward the caldera’s rim. She was left alone with nothing but the dead squirrel for company.

She snatched it off the ground and climbed up to the base of the tree, settling among its roots with a light groan. As she nibbled at her breakfast, she thought of everything they’d talked about these past two days, namely @Towhee Jr’s litter. Such news would’ve had her packing her proverbial bags once upon a time, though her days of easy travel were over.

Towhee drew in a breath between bites, orange eyes casting over the caldera’s inner slopes as her mind wandered to @Killdeer and his ilk. He still hadn’t come. Maybe he never would. That was all right. She could still stay here whenever she liked, living in the present and taking some time here and there to relive the good old days.

Journeying up the caldera, his mind wandered to the first time Caracal had showed him the "Hobby Ho." The view there was unparalleled, and he remembered thinking he had finally been invited into some exclusive club—that his presence there signaled he was more than just some little grub.

That he was part of something bigger and better than himself.

That feeling had never gone away, and as he spotted Towhee ahead, Killdeer broke into a somewhat-bittersweet smile. Many things had changed, but some remained the same. His grandmother was one of those constants.

What's up? he asked her, once he was within sight enough for her to read his lips. He nodded down at the squirrel. Nice snack. The smell of it made his stomach growl; thankfully, she wouldn't hear that.

She was probably wondering if he was making the first move toward claiming the caldera. He'd told Amalia he was planning a late spring arrival, but perhaps there wouldn't be harm in moving the date up a bit. . .

Thanks so much for nabbing this. *puts knife away*

Soon, nothing remained of the squirrel save for bones and tufts of brownish gray fur. One such wisp clung to her tongue, no matter how many times she rolled it against her yellowed teeth. She finally raised a paw to scrape at it with her leathery paw pad. Towhee winced a little when one of her canines brushed against the burst lipoma, still tender these days later.

If it’s not one thing, it’s another, she mused to herself with a roll of her eyes. Gods, you’re fucking old and decrepit.

Before she could deprecate herself further, a figure appeared out of the corner of her eye. Towhee’s head snapped toward it, her anterior pushing upward only to sink back down when she recognized Killdeer. She shifted her weight and raised her other paw—now her good forepaw—to motion him closer.

Sorry for not getting up, I’m feeling way too fat and sassy for that, she joshed, her mental voice adding, Or more like old and decrepit? Ignoring it, Towhee said, I was going to stay in Bramblepoint but I figured it made more sense to come here. You know, keep an eye on it for you, just in case.

She wanted to ask, of course she did. But Towhee held her tongue and merely smiled up at her grandson, waiting for him to share the latest goings-on in his life, including what he was doing here.

He laughed at "fat and sassy." The latter, sure, but barring various aches and pains, Towhee seemed as fit as ever to his eyes. There was a warmth in his gaze when she talked about holding down the fort for him, especially as he'd dilly-dallied as of late.

I appreciate it, Killdeer told her, and settled down upon his haunches with a soft sigh. It's still happening—just gotta get everything in order before I leave Moonspear.

The man glanced toward his grandmother, brows lifted in slightly-anxious query. I hate leaving there—and especially leaving Tiki and Pie, he fretted. Did you. . .ever travel away from your kids, instead of them leaving you? I mean, my girls are pretty grown, but they might still need me. And I feel guilty as hell, even though I won't be very far away.

That, in truth, was the sum of the weighted doubts upon his heart. Sialuk was gone, and he felt no loyalty to the mountain itself—but his daughters meant the world to him. 

Or did they, given how readily he was walking away?

Her heart kicked when he told her it was a matter of when, not if. Towhee nodded, losing her fight with the smile that wanted to overtake his face. Her expression sobered a moment later, when Killdeer shared some of his concerns and posed a question that made her chest tighten even after all this time.

Jr and Sable, she replied without missing a beat. To be fair to me, I wanted them to come with me. But I gave them the choice and they decided to stay behind. They had each other, plus an entire pack to look after them, but I still wrestle with that decision sometimes.

That probably wasn’t what he wanted to hear, though at least he knew he wasn’t alone. Towhee had nothing but empathy for him. She felt for her great granddaughters too.

It’d make life so much easier if they just did what you wanted them to do, Towhee posited with an entirely dry laugh, but like you said, they’re adults. And that means they can make their own decisions, which is as much a good thing as it is a bad one. It means you raised them to be strong, independent women with minds of their own. And sometimes that means you’ll be at odds.

Towhee knocked her head against his nearer hip, though it didn’t feel like enough. With a grunt, she pushed herself into a sit, so she could nudge her shoulder into his.

You’re doing what you can do make the transition as painless as possible. That’s all you can really do. But I take this to mean they’re officially not going to come with you? Towhee pressed gently.

He was grateful, as always, that Towhee was honest with him. She had much insight to offer. She'd left children behind, too, and it eased his conscience, if only a bit.

They're not coming, Killdeer replied, shaking his head. He gave a small, rueful smile. Treepie is devoted to Moonspear, and Tikaani is devoted to Treepie. So that's that.

He did not begrudge them any of that. It was the right choice for both of them.

But damned if he didn't feel like a total jackass for leaving them behind.

Treepie—Tiuttuk—is her mother's heir, he went on. She's strong and capable. Gramma, can you tell me about Moonspear in the past? I'd like to start a new era, but I don't think I can do that without knowing that my daughter is set up for success.

Although it would’ve been nice to have Killdeer’s daughters close, she could find no fault with their reasoning. Good for them, she thought, and good for you. Her orange eyes were soft on her grandson’s face. He had done a good job rearing them, even if it was biting him in the ass.

Sialuk deserved credit as well. She would’ve been the right person to ask about Moonspear’s history, but she wasn’t here. Like Killdeer, she had left the mountain to find happiness elsewhere. These thoughts had Towhee’s teeth digging into her lower lip.

Have you ever met the girls’ grandmother? Kukutux? She’s the person to ask about this. I only know bits and pieces… and those have probably crumbled into dust over the years, honestly, Towhee had to admit. But on that note, Treepie came from ‘moon woman’s’ line, as well as the Redhawks’. Those are some powerful legacy bloodlines, Killer. She’s basically coded to succeed.

He nodded at Towhee's question, and listened to the rest of it with fascination—and not a little awe. And relief, too. Strong bloodlines might not set someone up for success—on the contrary, in fact—but they were good building blocks, at least.

And Treepie had already proven herself much in the mold of her forebears.

I've met Kukutux. Heck of a woman, Killdeer remarked, with a half-smile. I'm glad to hear that. I didn't doubt it—but anything that helps her makes me feel better.

He groaned slightly, closing his eyes and lifting his head skyward, stretching his shoulders. I wish it was easier, he said ruefully. I wish they'd just come with me. But I guess shit happens.

She is, Towhee concurred, mind jogging a little now as she added, You know, she and Sialuk were the only survivors when something hit the mountain years ago. I don’t think I knew her then, she mused, frowning as she tried to remember the timelines, but I was very close to Moonspear’s queen at the time. Her name was Hydra. She was killed that day, along with most of the pack, and it was Kukutux who prevailed, Kukutux who lived on to bear young and build a legacy where Hydra’s turned into so much dust—cut off at the head, as it were.

Her eyes remained glazed for a few beats before she shook her head and refocused on Killdeer’s face. Towhee watched him roll his shoulders, glad his head dropped a little so she could catch his words. She grinned at them, reaching out to clap a broad paw against his shoulder.

You’re like half the age I was when I finally accepted that incontrovertible fact of life. And trust me, it’s much better to accept it sooner than later. She snorted softly. Just keep reminding yourself they won’t be far. You can visit them anytime. And, I mean, you can always just make more as well, she finished with a playful shrug and smirk.

The information about Hydra's era was more akin to what he sought from Towhee. Kukutux was not immortal; he knew there had to be something before her. Still, the story about the calamity made his gaze widen a bit, and grew his already robust appreciation for Sialuk's strength.

God, he hoped she was happy out there—happy and free.

Killdeer snickered at Towhee's last remark, grinning. That's the plan, he replied, somewhat sardonically. The humor faded from his features as he grew serious, but the sadness was at least gone. They won't replace my girls—but it'll be nice to have more of them.

How many? he often wondered. Girls, boys, in-betweens? He would take them all.

You up for a little post-breakfast walk? he asked his Gramma, cocking his head. It was a nice day, and he was enjoying the company.

I know "in-betweens" is not a great term for that but Killdeer is stupid so forgive him

No worries, I lub him! Figured we could probably wrap here? :)

Her real answer was “always,” though Towhee groused, Didn’t I tell you I’m too fat and sassy to get up today?

Snorting a laugh, she pushed upright. It would be nice to work off her meal. They could tour the caldera casually or, if he was up to it, they could begin marking. It would take time to establish a claim officially, though there was no harm in sending a message writ in urine: we’re here to stay.

She reached for Killdeer’s ear with her teeth, giving it a playful tug. She began moseying uphill but paused before taking more than a few steps, realizing she hadn’t actually voiced her strategic thoughts. Maybe her grandson would want her to slow her roll and save formalities for a later date.

I say we put my breakfast to good use and head for the borders, she quipped crudely. But what say you, Mr Soon-to-be Alpha Male?

He grunted a bit as Towhee gave his ear a nip, laughing and giving his ruff a shake. His face read, "C'mon, Gramma!" but his heart read nothing but love. God, he was happy she was still here.

And, of course, she was all business.

Let's do it, Killdeer replied. They began to walk forward, and he glanced at her and added, You know, I dunno if I like 'Alpha Male.' I'll have to think of something different.

He'd figure it out. They had time.