Heron Lake Plateau And you know dogs, they need ample time outside

Niamh quickly deflected, which only made Towhee all the more curious. After several self-deprecating remarks, Niamh assured Towhee that she wouldn't need to worry about it and that she'd sort it out on her own. The Beta would've liked to say she was the respectful sort who'd simply take her friend's words at face value and respectfully drop the subject, but that wasn't entirely true.

"You sure? I know I'm deaf but I can be a good listener," she quipped lightly before adding, a touch more sincerely, "You can talk to me if you need." Towhee couldn't guess at the source of Niamh's discomfiture, though it probably involved (an)other member(s) of the pack, hence her reluctance (and the leader's intrigue). But everyone needed a confidant and, despite many of the other Redhawks' penchant for going around trash-talking behind each others' backs, Towhee wasn't really the type (she preferred to be mean right to your face). If Niamh chose to unload on her, she could keep it to herself.