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She was still too young to understand a lot of things, though Meerkat was not oblivious to the sudden downshift in everyone's moods lately. Towhee was particularly broody today as she led her young daughter toward @Niamh's den for a visit with @Alyx, @Quetzal and @Primrose Redhawk. The pup tried a tickle attack, which earned her a fleeting grin, and then yanked on Towhee's tail, which earned her rump a playful smack. But no matter what the puppy did, her mother's smile slipped away and her orange eyes grew distant.

Even when they arrived, Towhee's demeanor remained pensive. She motioned for Meerkat to pop inside even as she reclined next to the doorway to wait her turn. The pup's gaze lingered on her mother for a moment before she faced the den's mouth, slinging her belly to the ground and wiggling across the threshold. As she had been taught, she remained in this position, tail whipping hither and thither and chin rested on her forepaws, awaiting the signal before she properly entered to smush herself in among her couslings.