Heron Lake Plateau The still, cold world.

I should be asleep!!! Oops.

Kiwi fired back without missing a beat. Towhee's brow arched again, although she was mildly impressed despite herself. That was some quick comeback, plus an entirely fair point. Before she could open her mouth to respond, a familiar black figure sidled up beside her. Towhee afforded Phox a quick sideways glance, then returned her attention to the youth.

"I'll have to ask her sometime," she mused idly. "I'm not yelling on purpose, by the way. I was born deaf, so my volume controls are broken." Towhee did the wolfish equivalent of thumbing in her brother's direction. "This guy is actually my hearing aid, as well as my translator. Isn't that right, Phox?" Her face turned sideways so their eyes locked.