Redhawk Caldera Reliquia.

I adore his munchy new avatar! :D

Hotah never left her waiting, or wanting. Now was no different. Her eyes tracked his movements as he ascended toward her, Towhee’s head doing an amused cant at his greeting. Where else would she be? He mentioned her worries, which prompted the Elder to glance backward into the den. She missed part of what Hotah said but flicked her gaze back to him to catch his quip about staying behind, insisting he was where he belonged.

There was something earnest on his face when he said this that made Towhee’s eyes slide sideways and away. But evidently Hotah wasn’t finished. Catching the movement out of the corner of her eye, she once more faced him to catch his question about what she was craving. His words were caring, generous, and yet they evoked a sudden prick of irritation within her that caught Towhee off guard.

-I’m just craving company right now,- she signed, which was only half a lie. -Just hang out for a few minutes. I’m not used to having all this space to myself,- she added, turning slightly to make a sweeping gesture at the cavernous Hobbit Hole. -We can head inside if you want to be closer to them,- she added, wondering how much of that he’d understood.

She waited for his answer—or his request for clarification—and pondered that brief stab of annoyance. Hotah was almost too nice, she decided. He was an excellent father and would make one hell of a mate too, though Towhee recoiled from that thought. Not only was her heart buried with Maxim (wherever that was), she also didn’t feel any particular attraction to Hotah.

Besides, she reasoned, he should settle down with someone nearer his own age, someone who could give him a lifetime partnership and years of children. Like Jr, Towhee thought, her eyes suddenly glinting. She had a feeling her daughter’s heart might be retired too, though a bit of a Cheshire smile crept over her face as she considered that idea further.