Valley of Gold you may encounter the body

Tvar said it would be a month, maybe a little less. Bushtit nodded, committing this information to memory. He would pass it along to Towhee once he found her. The thought had him gulping in another big breath.

But before he could spiral again, he caught Jr’s grimace. Bushtit rose halfway out of his seat, as if eager to comfort her, then remembered that job belonged to Tvar now. He settled back on his haunches, though he wasn’t surprised when his sister said they needed to head back.

-“I bet it’s exhausting growing bodies inside of yours,”- he posited, eyes dropping to linger on the slight swell of her middle. -“Don’t worry, I will. It’ll make a great distraction if she starts hollering at me for running off,”- he jested with more bravado than he actually felt.

Bushtit pushed onto all fours this time, sliding back a step as his dark eyes bounced between Towhee Jr and Tvar. He flashed them both a small smile, his pale tail waving.

-“It was good to see you guys, despite the circumstances. Take care of yourselves. Me and mom will see you soon,”- he offered by way of farewell, waiting until they turned to go before he did the same in the other direction.