Redhawk Caldera Crush toast.

The puppies veritably destroyed the rabbit, which at least put a swift end to its suffering. Towhee’s orange eyes glowed like hot coals as Carolina crushed its throat and Lyric gave the limp body a few savage shakes for good measure. Yes, they had very good instincts. Their great grandmother glowed with pride, even when Lyric let go and sent his sister tumbling hard onto her rump.

They spoke to one another, though Towhee couldn’t quite catch what they were saying at this angle. Her head darted back and forth, looking for context clues, but before she could suss out the gist of their conversation, Lyric suddenly spotted her. He startled, earning a fond snort as the Elder pushed onto all fours.

Well done, you two, she praised, tail swinging upward, the tip twitching back and forth. You should eat it, since you earned it. But if you’re not hungry, we should put it in a cache.

She would repeat today’s exercise a few more times, until the pups worked up to uninjured quarry. When that day came—and Carolina and Lyric successfully dispatched their prey—Towhee thought it would be a great time to graduate them from Nestlings to Fledgelings.