Sun Mote Copse blood in the water

He met her question with a few slow blinks, as if he hadn't anticipated it. Towhee's jaw clenched at his unexpected answer. She felt a sweep of annoyance that Eljay knew something about her best friend and daughter that she didn't, something she did not exactly like to admit to him. That sentiment was quickly eclipsed by concern and curiosity in equal measure. Her orange eyes squinted as she reluctantly shook her head.

-"No, I'm not aware,"- she said. -"Tell me what happened."- It was a command, not a request, but the sharpness fell away from her features as she looked to Eljay in acute anticipation. Surely it wasn't anything major, otherwise she would know about it. All the same, she didn't just want to know, she needed to know.