Redhawk Caldera For the excitement to arrive

Fennec continued to listen as Alyx went on and spilled quite a bit.  She cracked a small smile when she spoke of Bronco and Meerkat being 'hot shit', though that struck a chord.  The two did a lot together, and even when she'd been at the glen, she'd felt on the outside of it.  It didn't surprise Fennec that Niamh didn't pay much attention, and she wouldn't stick up for her.  The blind girl admired her step mother a hell of a lot, and looked up to her, but she'd meant it when she told Bronco the woman was a bitch.  Not everyone liked that in a wolf, and none of Niamh's actual kids seemed to care for it much in her.

If it were Towhee, or Phox, or even Niamh, Fennec probably would have stood by her decision to stay silent.  But Alyx had never come to her, and Fennec wasn't about to let that pass, even if she wasn't sure she was ready yet.  She hummed experimentally, and the soft noise failed to bring any pain.  If she was quiet, she could probably manage it.

I left cuz I wanted to.  She answered softly, lips still curved up somewhat in a slight smile. Trying to recall the exact process was hard, but she definitely remembered the overall reason.  It hadn't left.  I was sick of everyone else doin it.  Had to prove I could too, even if no one was offering.  And no one had, ever, until Penn.  In fairness, she'd never asked for one, but a part of her still rebelled at that.  Fig never had to.  

She paused, remembering Phox's reaction to her telling them that she was going with Penn.  She regretted a lot about Penn, but she definitely didn't regret that trip.  And something told her that as much as Niamh might protest, the next thing she was about to say was something she'd understand.  Even if she'd probably break Fennec in half all over again for saying it, if she knew.  Sometimes you don't ask.  They don't get to choose.  They don't know what you want, or how you feel.  Or what you can do.  They damn sure hadn't known what Fennec could do, and neither had she until she did it.