Broken Antler Fen We don't need to be related to relate.

Wraen seemed to catch herself and returned to her usual banter. Towhee didn't answer, more than a little thrown. Her lips parted, prepared to pry despite herself, then she pressed them together. Clearly there was something going on with her personal life that she really didn't want to discuss if she jumped to the defense like that. Although extremely curious, the Sovereign respected her friend's right to privacy and decided again not to push.

There was a slight hesitation still when Wraen picked up the pace and insisted Towhee needed to stick around long enough to see her favorite spot. But Towhee quickly put it all behind her and hastened to keep up with her companion, head tilting thoughtfully at the question. It really was so interesting how much Wraen asked after her, only to clam up about herself. She wouldn't mention it aloud, though she couldn't help but think it.

"I don't know, honestly. I mean, he must be doing something right, 'cause the kids are—" Her voice cut off abruptly as something hit her upside the head. Towhee froze in her tracks instantly, feeling like all the breath had been sucked from her lungs. And with that feeling came another: horrible guilt.

"Wraen, I..." Towhee choked out when she managed to take a breath. "I completely forgot to tell you about Marten..." And she felt terrible about it. To be fair, Wraen had distracted her with her mocking love confession, yet that still didn't excuse it. How could she be so caught up in her other issues to forget mentioning her son's death? Gods, but she could be a shit mother sometimes...