Redsand Canyon Cut slope.

She was glad to hear her mom was doing well. There would always be a part of her that wished she had stayed here, but her experience with the Emberwood attempt had mellowed any resentment she might have felt when she was younger. What-ifs didn’t help anyone and she’d made too many mistakes to hold it against others when they chased their own happiness. She could be happy that they were right next door instead.

And happier still that maybe, this year, they’d both have a reason to celebrate. She hadn’t gotten involved last year with Towhee’s kids; it had triggered too many of her own crushed hopes to be around them. Again with the what ifs, but fuck, it would have been cool to have her mom here to raise them together again. This time with a dad that was there.

She hadn’t spoken about it with Killdeer, but she listened with slight consternation as he dismissed himself abruptly. Yeah, alright. Later, okay? She wanted to talk to him. She’d track him down later - for now her tone was a mix of affection and amusement. He always dipped when the subject of the future came up.

He does that. She clarified for her mom when Killer’s steps had disappeared from her range of hearing. I know he’s happy for me, but it’s hard to tell if he’s happy about all of it. Fennec wasn’t as open about things as Towhee was, but it was hard to understand her son’s complete avoidance of any talk surrounding Germanicus and her. If things go well, I’ll definitely be busy with my own. Even her son’s quick departure couldn’t stop the smile of actual, honest happiness that lifted her expression at the thought of it.