Heron Lake Plateau Sunburns

When Nevouku came to stand close to her, Towhee turned to read his lips. It always took her an extra few seconds to compute what he was saying, though she managed well enough.

"We're just having a look around our new home," she replied with a shrug. "Think I'm gonna stake a claim over this place. I like that it's a bit secluded." She paused, then made sure to add, "Not that I won't let anyone else here or anything. I just think it'll make a cool hangout, especially between patrols."

As if to give it a test drive, she scratched out a spot in a patch of sunshine and flopped to the ground. "Ah, yeah." She rolled onto her side, then partially onto her back. Towhee's eyes closed and, for the moment, she became rather insensate to the world.