Redhawk Caldera Vísdómr.

Towhee stood on the shore of the lake, idly watching a flock of ducks paddling across. Her tail flicked as her orange eyes then panned to the right, in the direction of the Hobbit Hole. From down here, she could see the figures of Killdeer, Amalia, Carolina and Lyric puttering around just outside the den. The Alphas were probably feeding the kids lunch.

Resisting the temptation to join them, Towhee smiled and turned the other way. She pondered a moment before raising her muzzle skyward and asking @Whip and Wagtail to join her beside the caldera. While she waited for them to come, she waded into the water, which was a blessed relief from the pounding August sun.

A sudden wind pushed against the back of her head and sent the water ruffling around her ankles. Towhee turned to tilt her face into it, eyes closing and nostrils flaring as she drank in the scents. Her tail swished again, knocking into something and prompting her to open her eyes again. Only there was nothing there.

Except Maxim, of course. Even Leona had gone by now, though her beloved remained invisibly but ineffably tethered to her… for now, anyway.