Sun Mote Copse Cartoons in progress.

Towhee had once considered the vale a paradise, so she could definitely understand Lotus’s attachment. She wondered where they’d lived in between here and there, though she supposed it didn’t matter. Hopefully the copse was more to her liking, like Reyson implied. Although Towhee wasn’t so sure Jr could necessarily provide the companionship she sought, at least at first.

I mean, there’s nothing wrong with a sister looking out for her brother, she said, thinking of Phox. You may want to let Lotus know that Jr can be a little prickly at first. She’s also deaf and mute, so Ptero is really the only effective way to communicate with her. If Lotus learns how to sign, I’m sure she’ll win her over soon enough. I’m always happy to help in that department, if you wanna nudge her my way for some informal lessons.

Out of nowhere, Towhee hiccuped loudly. Where there was one, there were many more. She tried to take a deep breath, to no avail. The hiccups rocked through her every few seconds. She did her best to ignore them.

I have an invasive question for you, she said, apropos of nothing. Your kids are all grown. Did you not have any this year?

Towhee knew this might be a sensitive subject. For all she knew, they’d had a litter and lost it, or something else dire might’ve happened. She just hoped she wasn’t picking at any sores. She was immensely curious and hoped that his answer might give her a sense of what their lives had been like this past year.