Redsand Canyon Maybe months go by, maybe years from now

Well, that was a shitty deal. Some of Fennec's previous good mood evaporated but she knew that if Towhee was in charge this wouldn't be an issue. Her mom wouldn't have cornered her into making this decision again.

I won't do a mate-ship just for kids. It isn't worth it. Maybe Towhee could handle a mate who didn't love her but Fennec had learned firsthand that she wasn't built for that. She didn't trust that it would be different if she didn't love them either. Who said it would stay that way?

I guess I'll figure it out when it comes. And probably give up her chances next year then, too, if she had to choose between a life with her current kid and family and a life with new ones. Fennec didn't think she'd be able to justify that trade (especially not to Killdeer). Her only real chance was to change Germanicus' mind - something she was willing to bet was almost as impossible as her finding an actual mate. No offense to Mereo or anything, but I think I preferred your management style. She smiled wryly, but decided to let it go at that.