Redhawk Caldera i was war incarnate

*recycles post because HELLO!*

Tongues were quite resilient, apparently. Those first few days after biting hers were absolutely miserable, though it began healing more swiftly than Towhee could’ve imagined. She was lucky to avoid starvation, even luckier to dodge infection, and if she had to resort to Ptero much more lately, well, that was a net positive.

It was still quite tender several days on, plus the whole fiasco had really worn on Towhee. She hadn’t left the Hobbit Hole much, though she felt well enough to stand in the doorway late this morning. The skies were bright and clear, a strong wind blustering past and carrying all manner of leaves and whatnot. She leaned lightly against the doorway and just enjoyed the fall vibes.

Her eyes were closed when she felt a faint flutter deep within her core a while later. Towhee smiled without opening them, losing herself in that small, inward sensation. When they finally reopened, she didn’t think anything could possibly distract her, though that was before her orange gaze flicked upward and spotted a hawk—a familiar hawk.

Goes, Towhee mumbled even as she lurched into motion, her heart in her throat as she galloped to meet yet another wayward child.

Only it wasn’t her doppelganger waiting at the foot of the stunted mountain. Towhee slowed, breathing hard, her mouth absolutely throbbing in time with her pulse. She let the damned thing loll, eyes fixed on the figure as she closed the distance between them. She was certain she didn’t know him but the bird… the resemblance… his age…

-Are you,- she began a little jerkily, -who I think you are…?-