Sun Mote Copse double cheeseburger, hold the onion

She watched in silence as Phox howled, evidently in rounds. Her head cocked wonderingly at that, though she didn't ask. As she looked at her brother, she couldn't help but think of their two older children. She remembered the abruptness of Fennec's departure in particular and felt her chest tighten all over again as she thought about how, just three days ago, the idea of Meerkat leaving too had seemed far off in the future. Oh, she wasn't stupid, she'd known it was coming since the first utterance of "scoot," but she'd never imagined Meerkat would slip away just five months to the day since her miraculous arrival.

Soon others were arriving and Towhee's thoughts scattered. She was mostly grateful for that, as she could feel the melancholy about to sink her mood again. She shuffled closer to her brother, pressing her shoulder lightly against his. Phox might not feel so emotional, yet they were still in this together, along with Niamh and the chiblings. They would have to lean on each other and just hope that all those who'd left would stay true to their words and come back again someday.

In the meantime, the sun continued to sink in the distance, casting the copse in shadow. Towhee licked her lips, realizing she was ravenously hungry. When had she last eaten? Her eyes followed some drifting "star bugs" for a moment before fixing on Phox's face, awaiting the hunter's command.