Redhawk Caldera chateau lobby

Elwood slurped down some water, then lifted his head, licking excess droplets from his whiskers. He grinned and bumped his shoulder amiably against Fox's, though he was careful to do so gently -- he had almost forgotten just how small she was. A hard enough shove would send her toppling down the side of the mountain, and that certainly wasn't something he wanted to do.

She asked him how he was faring, and he opened his mouth to respond, though he hesitated for a split second. In reality, he was struggling -- avoiding time alone with Finley because it was inevitably awkward, while simultaneously trying to foster some independence in Eljay by leaving the boy to his own devices. But that conversation seemed much too heavy, so he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind for the time being.

"Not bad. Finally feeling better after all that sinus crud," he said, wrinkling his nose. "Did you catch it?" he asked, wondering if that was partially why Fox had been so elusive as of late.