Redtail Rise to science

Avicus nudged her aside and Masquerade hovered near her litter mates, silently watching the others as they arrived. Reki came first, shooting her a fleeting smile. Her own expression remained impassive, though she waved her tail at him. She offered the same to Lilia, though she didn’t favor her own cousin with anything but a polite aversion of her gaze altogether.

The Wealda soon commanded the group’s attention. Masque slowly reclined onto her haunches as Avicus spoke to the gathered youths, explaining that there were expectations to be met. For once in her life, the Toweard felt her backbone straighten with something like confidence. She didn’t even have to think about it. Masque knew perfectly well what role she would assume, what role she had already grabbed by the antlers horns.

Hunter, she said in a clear but quiet voice pitched deeper than many a man’s.