Redhawk Caldera Reliquia.

Hotah opened his mouth—then shut it again.

For a moment he just stared at her, stunned into stillness. Get to know her daughter better? His brain tripped over the thought, heat climbing suddenly up his neck and into his ears. He could feel it—embarrassing, obvious—even through his dark fur.

Towhee… he managed, voice rougher than intended. Is that—would that even be… not strange?

He wasn’t rejecting it. He wasn’t even sure he wanted it yet. He was just blindsided, caught somewhere between flattered and terrified, like someone had dropped him in the middle of an unfamiliar trail with no warning.

Jr.

Beautiful, sharp-eyed, carrying the weight of loss. Brave in ways he admired.

And her mother now telling him—calmly—that he had her blessing?

His pulse kicked.

Hotah swallowed, then shifted his paws, trying to gather himself. A nervous laugh pushed out of him—quiet, self-conscious—and he brought one large paw up between them.

Uh… hold on, he murmured. I—just—give me a second.

He concentrated, brows knitting. Then, with obvious effort, he shaped the clumsy signs he’d been practicing in private, the ones he barely used but refused to forget.

-Will… you… teach… me… more… Ptero?-