Redhawk Caldera You don't have to be ruled by fate.

She pondered his question for a beat, then slowly shook her head. "Not necessarily, I guess. I just wondered." Towhee paused, licking her lips. "It's just a name," she added, speaking even more slowly than usual as she parsed her thoughts out loud, "but I guess it feels weird that we have different last names." She gestured between them, then shrugged lightly, catching his eye. "Redhawk-Blackthorn works though," the Xi finished with a small smile. She meant it for herself, though even as she said it, she wondered if maybe the Alpha pair would adopt the combined name at some point too.

But back to the more pressing subject: "Would you and Aunt Finley want me as a leader?" It was another question whose answer she almost dreaded as much as she anticipated. And, once more, Towhee found herself plunging ahead before giving her godfather a proper opportunity to answer. "If you do, you could teach me. I know there are things I could work on and I'd be happy to if you give me a chance."