Stone Circle An arrow in the wall.

Figment had never known exhaustion like this. He was constantly amazed by his children—in good ways, of course, but sometimes also not so good. Such as his amazement over how much of a handful two tiny little creatures could be when they couldn’t even open their eyes. Tauris of course took the brunt of their neediness, their hunger and restlessness. But Fig was tireless in his resolve to keep them all fed and cared for, and when they kept their mother awake, he stayed awake alongside her so she wouldn’t have to be alone.

It was exhausting.

This time when Towhee called, the guilt over not going to her that had been eating away at him drove him to abandon his hunt for the time being and answer. He made good time, but was weary to his bones enough already that he looked it when he arrived. Still, he gave her a smile as he reached out for a hug, signing a silent hi mom after he stepped back from the embrace.