Heron Lake Plateau Glam, glitz, guts and gore.

Her two-word reply hurt. But he knew that, as a piece of shit coward, he deserved all the hurt he could get. He wondered when she had stopped thinking he belonged here, but he knew the real answer: as soon as his belly turned bright yellow and he ran off with his tail between his legs like the piece of shit coward he was. Redemption in this life was not an option, but perhaps he could pay penance and hope for something less severe than this in whatever lay after death. Just maybe Towhee would not hate him by the time she died, although he did not expect forgiveness.

She motioned for him to call for @Raven, and he did so, hoping his voice—as weak as it was—would carry far enough for her to hear. She was like a mother to him in more ways than one, but he did not expect a warm welcome from her, either. From anybody, really. But what of Elwood and Finley? And Towhee's rise and fall from leadership? Why weren't Orca and Titmouse here? There were a million and one questions he had, and he wanted so badly to ask them, but he didn't feel right asking now. He didn't even know if he would be allowed to stay.

The rain continued to drizzle down, and he blinked away the water that collected on his eyelashes. He didn't speak, nor did he sign. He waited patiently, shivering in the cold rain.