Sun Mote Copse How can we live in charcoal towns?

When Fig touched her chin, Towhee exhaled and leaned into the contact, her tongue darting out to press a thankful lick to the bridge of his snout. She turned and peppered Fen's brow with licks too, even as her daughter spoke words of optimism that Towhee actually caught. She guessed that was possible, just like she supposed she would never stop trying, although Towhee had officially lost all hope today.

"I'm just really glad you're here," Towhee said when she could manage words again, entirely oblivious to Eljay's attempt to assess the prognosis Raven hadn't even given, because the mercenary hadn't given her a proper chance to discuss the situation. "I'm really glad I have you guys, period," she murmured, taking another moment to press her nose to their cheeks, then her body against theirs, their physical warmth somehow soothing her emotional pain.

At long last, Towhee lifted back onto her feet with a long, shaky exhale. "Wish your dad was around," she muttered under her breath, feeling a little selfish even as she said it. But man, did she need him. "But I have you two, so I'll be all right," she added, favoring her grown kids with a soft smile and nudging them yet again. "Would you mind hanging out with me a bit longer, at the rendezvous site?" she asked, beginning to move slowly in that direction, giving Eljay an inscrutable look, surprised he was still there. Nellie was nowhere to be seen.

I think this'll be my last, if y'all wanna wrap up or just smush it into the archives!