Lake Rodney Sugar in the creek

She really hadn't expected that answer, so her ears tilted backward in momentary confusion. How could he not know? His next few words explained, in part: it sounded like Germanicus was the leader of their duo and Crowfeather just went wherever he was led.

"Gotcha," she replied, then winced suddenly when the pain in her stomach suddenly flared. Aware that she hadn't done anything to school her expression, she said, "Stomachache, oof."

And though she was enjoying what amounted to small talk more than she had expected—genuinely, not just as a temporary distraction—she decided that was probably her cue. She inhaled and exhaled shallowly, trying to breathe through the sourness in her belly so she could stomach (pun intended) the walk home.

"I should head back. I have a patrol to finish. But it was nice speaking with you, Crowfeather. If you guys need somewhere more permanent to settle, don't be afraid to knock on our door. Take care."