The Floodlands You never go to parties.

Quixote said he'd think it over, which earned a simple and somewhat stiff nod from Towhee. She couldn't help but rejoin, "No promises over here either." But there was nothing particularly malicious about the look she gave him. They were both simply being honest. She wasn't sure what answer she wanted, nor whether she would make the official offer in the end. Towhee simply wanted to throw the cards on the table for consideration.

"So," she said a beat later, clearly trying to shift gears, "what do you think of the place?" It was kind of an idle question, though Towhee truly wanted her pack mates to like their new home, despite the initial conflict. "I'm calling this Fox Falls, after my mother. There's a story behind it, if you're interested." But she didn't launch into it just now, instead looking to him for his thoughts on the plateau.