Heron Lake Plateau Sooner rather than later

I love how Raven is coaching Phoebe through this same thing with Eljay in another thread. *stalks* <3

She deflated quickly, and for a moment, Phox wondered if she might collapse right onto the ground. He really didn't want to be the death of two mothers this year, whoops. Then came the question he had been dreading. He'd even contemplated straight-up lying to her, but the reason was one that he couldn't avoid, and he knew it would be better to come clean now.

Quixote. I know you love him, and I know he's great for you, but I just can't respect him as a leader. There wasn't any one thing that Quixote had done, but he hadn't really done anything as far as Phox could tell. He was, as Towhee so eloquently put it: milk toast. He was boring to Phox, and the Gamma needed something else.

I'm not asking you to choose me or him, he added. Well, Phox was essentially choosing for her, but he didn't see it that way. I'll still come visit with Towhee and the kids. He couldn't continue following somebody he didn't believe in. In fact, some part of him thought this might help mend the relationship (if it could be called that) with Quixote. Maybe being apart would be better for the both of them.