The Tangle Meet me out by the fire escape

He welcomed her drawing near and returned the gesture lightly. It's okay. He felt the need to reassure her, and his smile was genuine as he saw that she seemed both happy and healthy. The pups had to have grown about as much as Avicus', enough to be left in the care of others at least. He wondered how old they were! But he knew, from his decision, that he might not see them.

I've thought about it. And I know what I what I need to do, now. The time had helped him, given him the space to sort through and arrive at this conclusion. He wanted to hear her news before he explained further, however. He could guess at the nature of it! But not the specifics.