Dawnlark Plains this train is bound for glory

Catori was a far more attentive guide than Easy. He didn't worry as he picked his way toward her, trusting that she, at least, would not guide him into trees for comedic value. At least, not when she was too tired to enjoy it.

"They weigh you down, now, but this time next year they'll be wandering off in the middle of the night, and they'll tell us they're going out," he grumbled good-naturedly, giving Catori's cheek a fond nip as he laid down beside her. "How was your day?" he asked. "Have you been waiting up long?"

It was not yet fully night, but he knew the extra weight probably didn't make Cat very fond of long days. He tried to go to bed when she did, but he and Easy had been caught up on their patrol. The girl hadn't wanted to come back before dark fell, and even when she was ready to return him to the trees, she had other places to be. Kids were awful.