Redhawk Caldera Lightning over Mexico.

It was clear from Towhee's response that she only wanted the best for Ruenna. Her advice came from a place of caring; she wanted Ruenna to have it all.. she thought Ruenna deserved to have it all. It was touching, although Rue still considered such a endgame to be out of her reach. At the ripe old age of five years, if she continued to put off child rearing in order to search for a man to love, she may be forever forfeiting the chance for having children to love. It was not an outcome she was willing to put to chance, especially a chance as slim as the one that some Prince Charming might take one look at her and fall head-over-heels. 

Ruenna nodded, offering no more insight on the situation. Towhee was unlikely to be able to see it her way, given that she was a younger wolf, much more able-bodied, and had already had all of the children she desired. Of course Towhee would be more focused on the companionship piece than she was on the child-rearing piece. 

Their conversation took a silly turn, with Towhee once more supplying the ever-mysterious phrase of "no homo." Now that it had been applied to Germanicus and Crowfeather, Ruenna felt finally understood what it meant in entirety. She laughed along with Towhee, completely unaware that in a few short days, she would learn truths about the nature of the relationship between Germanicus and Crowfeather that would render this supposed "joke" no laughing matter. 

Ruenna rolled her eyes in a good-natured fashion at Towhee's remarks about harems and polyandry. It was absolutely ridiculous, the notion that such a way of life could be Ruenna's legacy. "If you like the sound of that, maybe you should give Akashingo a visit," Ruenna suggested, humoring Towhee in a voice that was equal parts mysterious and facetious. She didn't know anything for sure about what exactly took place between the wolves and coyotes of Akashingo, but she had heard the rumors. 

Speaking of which. 

"I think I'm going to scout out a ways and see if I can meet Germanicus on the road," Ruenna said after their chuckles subsided. He really was due to arrive any minute now, and perhaps it was silly of her, but she didn't want Germanicus to witness how difficult it was for her to climb down out of the Caldera. She still had her pride, and she still clung to the hope that Germanicus thought her graceful and dignified. It was a perception that would be difficult to perpetuate, if he saw her hobbling and lurching her way slowly down the hill of the Caldera, her face a twisted mask of pain. 

She also wanted to spare Germanicus the appraising gaze of Towhee, as well as whatever embarrassing comments her friend would feel were necessary to make.