The Sentinels Flower, gleam and glow

His heart goes out to her when she reports her parents’ passing. That part doesn’t really surprise him, though the detail about her siblings makes Bushtit’s lips twist a little. How could a storm split up a family like that? He doesn’t doubt it, just marvels in silence as Solenya carries on with her life à la the story.

Damn, sorry about your family, he says as genuinely as possible, though it inevitably falls a little flat. Sure, I can do that, he adds in response to her request. You got a name I can give them? For this place of peace.

As he speaks, he pushes onto all fours. He’s cueing himself as much as Solenya. He’s enjoying this conversation, though he really ought to go. It’s not that Towhee’s waiting on him—he doesn’t keep any particular schedule—but talking about her has gotten him really looking forward to seeing her sooner than later.

He glances at the towering sequoias he never got a chance to see up close, though he makes a note to swing by again sometime. But since Bushtit doesn’t keep promises any better than a schedule, he makes no mention of this to Solenya.