Redhawk Caldera Now you're calling all the boys home

AW but maybe @Towhee Jr?

Hotah stood on the ridge, scanning the valley as the pale morning light crept over the grass. The fog had lifted, but the weight in his chest hadn’t. Peregrine’s scent was gone. Every trail had gone cold. The river below murmured its cruel possibilities.

He drew a hard breath, forcing it steady. Standing still only sharpened the ache.

He lowered his head and scented the wind—deer, fox, the faint musk of elk farther out. Something he could chase. Something he could do.

Hunting wasn’t escape. Not really. But it was purpose, and purpose kept him moving.

Hotah stepped down the slope, muscles coiling as he followed the nearest trail—anything to quiet the space Peregrine used to fill for a little while.

<3!

it is early morning when towhee jr stirs from sleep, letting tzar and ghost continue to doze off, thinking that the they had earned extra hours sleeping. having to face the unfortunate fact that peregrine was gone — in one way or another — sits unwell in her heart, bringing to the forefront of her mind memories that still stung: losing her own children, the useless scrape of her claws against unyielding rock —

a soft shake of her head is given as she stretches and slips from the hobbit hole where she sleeps always at the edge, close to the entrance where she can see the sky.

her destination had been the borders to patrol but she finds her destination switching as she follows the scent of hotah instead.

Hotah was moving in a low, steady prowl when her scent reached him—fresh, purposeful, cutting through the tangle of deer and old fox tracks he’d been working. He paused at once, head lifting, breath fogging lightly in the cold air.

He didn’t turn right away.

Didn’t want her seeing the flicker of grief still tightening his jaw.

But when her steps grew close enough to feel through the frost-stiff grass, he let out a slow breath and glanced over his shoulder.

-Morning,- he said softly, voice rough from disuse and sleeplessness.

He shifted just enough that she could fall into step beside him if she wanted, muscles still taut with the leftover coil of the hunt.

His gaze returned to the trail ahead as he added, quieter:

-Didn’t mean to wake anyone. Just… needed to move.-

A brief pause, then a sidelong look—worn, but grateful.

-You looking for me?-

-morning.- steps pause to allow towhee to sign the return greeting in ptero. scents of fox and deer draw to towhee jr's attention that she might've interrupted and intercepted hotah in the middle of hunting. sheepish expression makes its home upon her expression, ears fluttering to rest at half mast atop her skull; useful only in helping her communicate through body language.

ha! the noise of amusement is breathy, soft in her throat; felt in the vibration of her vocal chords. -i'm not easy to wake, so do not worry.- ghost and to her chagrin tzar have mastered the effect of waking her: usually by nipping her notched ear or shoving her shoulder until she awoke.

-i was on my way to patrol but i crossed your scent trail and figured i'd see if you wanted company.-