Redhawk Caldera Homeward Bound

They weren't close. They'd never been all that close, and there wasn't any hope of reunification between Mou and the Redhawks, not really. While Towhee contemplated what to do with the rest of her life (as if it were over, which it absolutely wasn't), Mou couldn't comprehend such a state.

He was a wanderer; he couldn't find solace with the Frosthawks (mostly because he didn't know they existed, but also because - Raven). Towhee was blessed in ways that Mou wasn't. She had more options; he had only the memory of his late wife to keep him warm from time to time.

Her realization, voiced and signed, wasn't such a revelation to Mou. Everybody left. He had learned that with Blackfeather; been forced to confront the same lesson with Onyx Hollow, and again with Prevost. It burned each time — but the biggest hurt was Maegi, and knowing she was lost to him forever.

Perhaps that was why he commiserated now with Towhee. This loss might've been new for her and hurting, while Mou hurt over this other, deeper loss, but together they were in equal levels of misery over it. Or so it seemed from his perspective.

He snorts softly in response to her commentary, but cannot think of anything to say. Anyway, someone new approached the pair and erupted with a shout; the little shape wasn't so little when Mou focused his eye upon it, recognizing first Maegi and then, with a shiver, a shake of his head as he shot to his feet and all but jumped from his skin, Blueberry.

His little Boo, seething with hatred.

Mou's heart couldn't take it. He staggered and sank to the dirt again, deflating. Par for the course.