Northstar Vale mindless

How many times had she heard this joke play out over the years? Nonetheless, Towhee gazed down at him fondly. This was only his second rodeo. Let the guy enjoy his outrageous expectations. It was all hyperbole anyhow.

I’ll allow it, she replied with a smirk, but maybe let’s pace ourselves. We have so many seasons left after this one, so we can spread them out a bit, right?

(If her little voice of pessimism had anything to say about it, Towhee turned a deaf ear to it.)

Hey, look, Towhee said suddenly, pointing upward at a wren winging past. Pretty sure it’s the wren, she mused mostly to herself, though for Maxim’s benefit, she explained, I saw it the other day. Made me think of my old friend, Wraen, and reminded me that I never got around to naming a landmark after her…