Ocean's Breath Plateau Vole little a vealwav.

Timestamp: June 14.

She didn’t have much choice but to sleep out in the open that first night, though she mustered all her strength to crawl under the cover of Coconut Grove. Towhee felt rested when she woke late the next day, though her neck was killing her and she was pretty sure her tail was broken.

She possessed just enough energy to trudge across the plains and slump in the shadow of Ocean’s Breath Plateau. Towhee sent up a call for anyone, though she hoped @Phox, @Heph or @Rodyn might make an appearance. She could use some food and a safe place to rest for another night or two before she trekked back to the copse.

But there was something else Moontide might offer her. Towhee turned as if to look at the distant island, grunting when the muscles and tendons in her neck vehemently protested the movement.

The caterwaul of Towhee was a call Phox would always, always do his best to answer. His three-legged gait was not particularly speedy, but when he did arrive, he was glad that he had come. -You look like shit!- he said with plenty of concern in his voice. Her tail in particular looked like had been through the wringer. Judging by the way she was walking, that wasn't the only part of her that she'd managed to get thoroughly wrecked.

-What happened?- he asked, wondering if anybody in Moontide was a particularly good healer. From what he could remember, they were primarily hunters... and a gazillion puppies.

She brought a paw to the place where her neck met her shoulder, rubbing absently. Towhee wondered if she’d pulled a muscle. Well, more like the sea lion had pulled it for her, yanking her around like some plaything. She considered glancing down at her tail but thought better of it. Anyway, someone was coming.

-“You should see the other guy,”- Towhee grunted, smiling despite her aches and pains. Signing hurt, so she gave it a rest when she continued, It’s a crazy story and I’ll tell you all about it. But first, is there anyone here who could run a message for me? I need them to go to Wheeling Gull Island and tell my grandkids I’m not dead.

She shuddered slightly. Even if she’d had the bandwidth to go back there herself, Towhee couldn’t imagine ever coming close to that godforsaken island again. And she just hoped the boys and Dinah would reconsider moving to the mainland, whether they joined her or went elsewhere.

The immediate threat was gone but even faithless Towhee knew a sign when she saw one and this one had been in neon flashing lights: Sweetharbor was no longer sweet, nor a harbor.

Between packs Rodyn had arrived here and there. HE had returned only for a brief check of Moontide's borders and wolves. And imagine his surprise when he came across Towhee and Phox.

His eyes grew wide and he stepped harder. Blinking. Towhee! Are you okay?

He looked around. We can send for a healer from moonglow. I can run myself.

She looked rough and his heart tightened for her and he looked to Phox for an answer. Because he wasn't sure what Towhee would want?

Had he known they were at the island? Phox couldn't remember. His memory was getting fuzzier with old age (and a multitude of grandkids), so it was admittedly hard to keep up with who all was where at any given time. Towhee probably had a better handle on it, given her traveling nature. Phox didn't think he'd be a particularly quick messenger, but luckily for them, Rodyn showed up in the next two heartbeats to swoop in and offer his help.

I can head to Moonglow for a healer if Towhee thinks she needs one. Can you head to the island and let them know she's alive? Phox asked of Rodyn. Assuming that was on, perhaps he and Towhee could both walk to Moonglow (or Moonspear) and seek assistance there. And he could get the story along the way.

Before her brother could respond, Rodyn approached with a stricken look on his face. Despite everything, Towhee’s heart did a little flutter at the sight of him. She appreciated his concern and shot him a fond smile, though Towhee shook her head at these mentions of fetching a healer from Moonglow.

-“I’ll see Fennec when I get back to the copse, hopefully tomorrow. But the message is the priority,”- she tried to emphasize, orange eyes flitting from Phox’s face to Rodyn’s. -“A sea lion attacked me. Judah and Simeon tried to intervene but it pulled me under and carried me a ways before fate intervened. I can only imagine what they think happened to me…”-

She shook her head again, letting out a sharp hiss at how much it hurt her neck. She kept forgetting. Towhee gritted her teeth, rolling her neck slowly in the hope that might stretch and soften the muscles.

-“All I need for now is a bite to eat and somewhere to crash for the night.”-

if wolves could go pale. Rody n would have beneath his fur. He knew all too well how terrible sea lions could be. Right up there with Walruse's and Seals. He shruddered.

I am glad you are okay, Towhee. And of course. I will take a message and you can stay as long as you want.

He tilted an ear and wondered briefly if they should seek out a hunt for the sea lion. Because if it had attacked Towhee, chances are it would attack again.

Skipping NPC!Phox and wrapping this for us to pare down my thread log a bit.

Towhee was tempted to give Rodyn a big ole bear hug, though she resisted the temptation for her neck’s sake. She shot him a grateful smile instead, padding closer to nudge the place where his neck met his shoulder. She rumbled a note of gratitude.

-“Thanks, Rodyn, it means a lot,”- she told him.

Wearily, she turned to face her brother again. Hopefully Heph wouldn’t mind if she crashed at their place for the night, two at most. Towhee knew she would feel a lot better once she replenished her energy, even with her injuries.

I’ve been through worse, she thought as she trudged after Phox—and not without one last enamored glance at Rodyn.