Hushed Willows if you're travelin' in the north country fair

@Ziggy was missing his mama. he took the pale boy out for a walk today, letting him dictate the pace, all the while answering any questions the child might have. @Lana had declined to follow, choosing to remain near @Khali instead. he hadn't seen cam in a while, though it was much like him to sulk in the shadows. if he kept hidden, cortez would address it—but for now, he focused on one pup at a time.

look at that, he told ziggy, nudging the boy and pointing him toward a monarch butterfly that had just landed atop a flowering bush, the orange vivid against the green and pale pink. his companion hopped in place with delight, only to become quietly despondent as the monarch, thus startled, fluttered away.

you gotta be still, cortez said kindly, settling down on his belly. here, lay down with me and we'll watch and see if any more come. i think this is a butterfly bush—so they like to hang around, here. the flowers must smell really good to them. they smelled good to him, anyway, fresh and sweet.

it was a little moment of peace, here with ziggy, watching for butterflies. engrossed as he was in lifting the spirits of elysium's downtrodden ranks, cortez was beginning to feel slightly drained. now, he could relax, if only for a spell.