Redhawk Caldera shine on, you crazy diamond

Peregrine stuck to him like honey, while Phox may as well have not even existed to Vesper. "Time," he reminded himself. It was going to take a lot of time before Vesper even considered him a friend. It may never happen, in fact. He thought of the two children the entire trip back to the caldera. Back home.

Maegi suggested he do the talking, and yet when Towhee barreled toward them, nuzzling Phox, she stammered out several disjointed words almost immediately. It didn't make sense what she'd said, and Phox looked to the pale mother, confusion written on his face.

Whatever happy reunion this was meant to be had taken a strange, stilted turn.