Heron Lake Plateau Give the girl a gold star

Although she knew Niamh intended to comfort and reassure, she felt her insides twist at the notion that she could simply give up on her mastery and look to something else. In the next breath, her friend reminded her that she could patrol. Towhee gave her a sharp look. How could she be so sure? Towhee clung to her friend's faith in the matter, even if she felt much more uncertain about her abilities and her entire future.

But pups were something that would always bring a smile to her face (those that belonged to loved ones, anyway). Towhee didn't doubt that Raven and Quixote would give their blessing for a litter, though she had to wonder: did Uncle Elwood and Aunt Finley plan on any more young? Could the pack support three litters? She supposed it was a good thing she'd never had any romantic inklings. In any case, she didn't know that she wanted children of her own, despite her love for her younger siblings, nieces, nephews and potential godchildren now too.

The small smile that had touched her lips faded suddenly as her mind turned back to other things. "I'm sorry to be a downer," Towhee said, "but can I bitch for a second?" She waited for Niamh's acknowledgement before plunging into a miniature rant. "I'm pissed, mostly at myself. Why did I even feel the need to go there? There was no good reason to visit the caldera, not really. And now, because of my own impetuousness, I'm a fuckin' para-plebeian or whatever it's called. I may never be the same again. And for what? We were there for all of five fuckin' minutes before I fell and ruined everything, possibly my life included. Okay," she concluded with a huff, "I just needed to throw a little pity party. But I'm done. Back to pups."