Heron Lake Plateau Demon Boss

The hesitant way Apple spoke of herself struck Towhee as very odd, though at least she had Rory's inexpert diagnosis to preface it. Had Apple hit her head, causing her to grow forgetful? Or was it merely old age? She knew the body deteriorated, so it was definitely possible the mind did too.

Towhee tried to weigh things in her head. If it was up to her alone, she would turn Apple away. But what would Finley think, if she found out she'd shunned an ailing Blackthorn? And what would Rave say if she knew her sister had left an old and forgetful woman to winter's mercies? Towhee herself was no bleeding heart, and she was left to wonder what her fellow leaders would think. Their opinions ultimately mattered more than the former leaders'.

"Rory," the Beta said rather abruptly, voice sharp, "call for @Quixote and @Niamh, please." Leaving the youth to this simple task, Towhee explained to Apple, "They're my fellow leaders. I'd like a second opinion." She blinked as she delivered this frank explanation, then fell silent to await one or both of her co-leaders' arrivals.