Redtail Rise brighter than the sun

Empire? he echoes, laughing when she mentions a throne as well. I didn’t realize I’d be bumping into a queen today or I would’ve, like, found a pine cone and brushed my hair. And my teeth.

His tail twitches as she offers a name. The name suits her. Something about her demeanor reminds him of someone, though he can’t place who. Bushtit catches her icy gaze for a heartbeat before he glances back to the panoramic view. That’s when it hits him: she reminds him of Zephyra.

Bushtit, he offers, remembering how wrongfooted he had felt around the grayish girl—around any women, actually. Redhawk, he adds, in case it might mean anything to her.

Women—young or old—don’t make him feel awkward anymore. He laughs through his nose as he realizes just far he’s come since those days. It also makes him think of his older sister. He should swing by the valley, see how she, Tvar and their littles are getting along.

Stowing that thought, he focuses on Sienna and wonders, You thinking of claiming the place?

He looks around, noting some of the telltale signs of a long-ago fire, similar to The Sentinels. Maybe like Solenya and Kirain, Sienna has chosen this site of revival to make a fresh start of some kind.