Sun Mote Copse i will go

After a beat, “You’re funny, Eljay,” Kite decided with a tentative smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, instinctively picking up the dropped stitch that marred their conversation. “You don’t have to be sorry,” she mumbled, thinking privately that she didn’t want to lose him, but it didn’t look like she had much of a choice. “If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me, too. You should be happy!” She forced her tail into a little flutter of a wag, and oddly, the muscle memory associated with the gesture did buoy her quickly flagging spirits.

“You’ll always be my pups,” did sound sort of funny, and Kite’s eyes twinkled mischievously — but she didn’t comment on it. She put her tongue between her teeth, thinking of a good substitute word. “We’ll always be your pups,” she agreed staunchly, “but if you don’t like that word, then we can make up a new one. Only for me’n Owen, Phoebs, and Vasa, though, okay?”