Sun Mote Copse Mad world.

Towhee doubled down on what she'd said before, and Fennec felt that same flash of indignation she'd felt when Eljay mentioned it.  She shouldn't assume I'm an idiot.  She shouldn't need him to prove it.  He gave me the job, and I'm supposed to trust her to do it, but she can't be expected to trust me?  The fur on her nape spiked as she slipped into venting.  None of them understood it.  She shoved me aside like I was gonna hurt him, all because I was trying to help.

Suddenly, she remembered that this was Towhee she was talking to... not Bronco.  Her tail twitched and she turned.  Whatever.  It's done, anyway, isn't it?  There was no rewinding, going back and undoing it.  Her mom and dad both obviously loved and respected Niamh a lot; Fennec didn't have to understand it.  But she could begrudge it, and use it as an excuse to shut down, like she was doing now.  I'll go get those herbs.  She didn't know if her mom would try and stop her or not, but she was going to try and duck out of this conversation early.