Moonspear i hope you dance

He put her out of her misery. Treepie’s legs trembled so much, she sank to her haunches. She wanted to tune out the rest, though she forced herself to listen to her taataa. She felt a little dismayed upon hearing that her promotion had prompted this final decision, though his reminder about the caldera’s proximity smoothed that jagged edge somewhat.

Okay, she said.

Nothing else came out of her mouth for a moment as Treepie tried to marshal her thoughts. Losing Killdeer was one thing, though something that hurt nearly as much was losing out the chance to help rear younger siblings. She remembered that her anaa had taken that from her too, though she knew her parents’ decisions weren’t about her or her potential as an older sister.

Okay, she repeated, with a blustering breath. I mean, it’s not okay—I’m not okay—but I think maybe it’ll be okay eventually, Treepie told him with naked honesty.