Sun Mote Copse Refuge in breathing.

Towhee could tell that Quetzal was shouting, likely victoriously, but it was next to impossible to understand her when she was moving around so much. It was always difficult to read children's lips anyway. She didn't really bother trying, though she did glance over and note, with some amusement, that Meerkat slept through whatever her cousling was yelling.

Facing the mischievous puppy again, Towhee watched her dart back toward the center of the clearing. But the Regent made no attempt to chase after her. Instead, she called, "You've killed me! I'm dead!" She paused. "What's your mother going to think when we tell her you killed me, huh?"