Heron Lake Plateau On a hill, under a raven sky.

She led him forward past rushing water he could hardly see in the dark. When Towhee stopped and explained her intentions, he gave her a confused look. -You and who else?- he asked, clearly not understanding that she meant “we” as in “Towhee and Phox, the wonder twins.” Phox had only just come back, and he had not suspected such an offer, so his brain did not comprehend it as such. He wondered if maybe “we” meant her and Tegan, who she had mentioned earlier. Maybe she had somebody she was growing close to? Was she growing close to Tegan? Was there somebody else?

Suddenly, Phox felt extremely displeased at that thought. Towhee getting close to another male felt downright... wrong. He could not quite put his finger (toe?) on why it bothered him so much, but he felt something strange awaken in his heart that had not been there before. He swallowed and licked his lips, trying to keep whatever it was at bay.