Redhawk Caldera No boys allowed.

She hadn't even thought of the other threats out there until Fennec reminded her of her own words. There was a brief moment where she felt like a moron, then her heart clenched and her stomach twisted simultaneously. Fen was absolutely right, of course. Towhee felt like she might abruptly burst into tears as she realized just how much the odds were stacked against her this season. She'd been so hopeful matters would be different this year too. In fact, her eyes did start to glisten and she looked away, missing her daughter's second statement before remembering Fennec wouldn't see her overly emotional response.

Blinking the wetness away, she faced Fen again and acknowledged, "You're right." Towhee sucked in a breath, the brief conversation so far reminding her of something else. "You wouldn't want to spar right now, by any chance, would you?" She could use the outlet to work through some of these difficult emotions and get her mind off this impossible decision she faced. Hey, it was better than the alternative: collapsing in the snow and scream-crying at the unfairness of it all.