Redhawk Caldera 8ths.

There was something very endearing about Alivia. Towhee couldn’t help an indulgent smile as she insisted she didn’t have any hobbies. Surely that couldn’t be true. She laughed through her nose when the young woman mentioned coming up with fun things to do. Sounded like a hobby to her—a worthwhile one too!

But just as Towhee opened her mouth to mention the merits of a pursuing a coaching specialty, Livi inquired about medics. That was an even better vocation, in Towhee’s not-so-humble opinion. Her tail waved.

I don’t think we do. And we could absolutely use one, if recent events tell us anything, Towhee said as lightly as she could, though a slight grimace passed over her face before she continued. My eldest daughter was—still is, I hope—a talented medic. She’s not here, though I mention her because I can assist to some extent. I can ID a handful of plants, for example.

The topic suddenly jogged her memory. Towhee wondered if Livi’s interest in medicine had anything to do with her mother’s maladies. Rue had left the wilderness to seek healing she could find nowhere in the Teekons. Had she ever found anyone who’d really helped her? She wanted to ask Alivia—probably should’ve long before this—but hesitated, wondering if the girl was prepared to discuss her deceased dam.