Redhawk Caldera lurken and craven

She closed her eyes and breathed for a moment. When she reopened them, another had joined the cluster of faces floating around her. Towhee grumbled, feeling a little bit like a zoo animal—some kind of whale, specifically—on display. But she was happy to see Treepie here, with such serendipitous timing. The Elder even managed a smile for her, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

-Yeah, yeah, I’m fat as fuck. Welcome to the show,- she jested with a grunt. -We’re currently taking bets on how many will come out. What was your latest guess, Caro? Was it 28? Or 38? Have you said ‘hello’ to your sister yet?-

She was actually glad for the excuse to shoo everyone away for a few moments. Towhee could use some space. She waved them all backward, hoping they would turn their attention to their visitor. Meanwhile, the Elder braced her right shoulder against the den’s cool wall and tried to push upright into a sit. Pain rippled through her midsection, though she was able to shift to relieve the worst of the pressure.

-Can you bring me some water?- she signed to Killdeer, then leaned her head back against the wall to close her eyes and focus on her breathing again.

Cameo! Unless nobody else joins this (please join this!).