Grouse Thicket Radio wake.

It’s still a few days hence, so this is dated ambiguously following Meerkat and co’s departure.

The day had finally come. They were gone. And though Towhee’s world was always dead silent, it felt particularly quiet as she turned from her post at the borders—gazing into the distance, as if she might catch a glimpse of them still—and began the first of many rigorous patrols.

When she finished, she couldn’t bring herself to go back to The Taigh yet. It would be strangely empty. Instead, Towhee ventured afield. She wouldn’t go far. In fact, she stopped just past the second fork of the creek that formed the copse’s western border and stared into the thicket a little ways ahead.

She stood there so long, her feet began to ache. Huffing under her breath, Towhee moved forward into the undergrowth. Within the hour, twilight would be upon her. It seemed a prime time to scrounge up some small game to take home to feed the few mouths left in the copse.

Reyson adventured from @Meadow again, but with promises to return. His aim this time lower sides. He was unsure what he would find. But where he had originally began looking. Well. It was crowded now. And neither he, nor meadow liked crowds.

As he walked the starlight dappled the reds of his pelt. Highlighting the scars. It was nighttime, usually he could hide them. Having become only a little self conscious of them after his run in with Antigone.

He was stopped short by an invisible wall of scents. A border cleanly and clearly marked. He stood there debating should he call or let whomever lied therein sleep and come back with the sunrise?

Fortune favored her this evening. She struck a scent, tracked it through the thicket and, after an intense but brief chase, slew a fat rabbit. She stood over her kill with an expression of mild surprise. When she caught her breath, Towhee then grabbed the warm carcass and headed back toward the copse.

She saw a figure loitering there and every single blade of fur on her body stood on end. The lady and laird had only just gone and already the vultures were circling? The soft flesh and fur in her mouth barely muffled the sharp growl that burst out of her.

But it cut off abruptly when she squinted through the lengthening shadows, noting that patchwork of scars. They were familiar. Towhee’s orange eyes went wide now as she approached at a broad angle. As soon as they caught on Reyson’s face, she gasped, the rabbit tumbling out of her mouth.

Sunshine? What are you doing here?

At first the scent of blood hit him like a buckshot and ears leapt upwards and the fur on his ruff rose.

Then the sharp sound of an unhappy wolf. He tightened his shoulders and bent at his knees readying for an attack to his side. But the growl just as quickly tapered off and the veteran was confused and now wary as hell.

His ptero was crude at best, but he added the greeting for hello with his words

Hello Towhee. I could ask you the same?

He had not known where Towhee had gone.

His wording elicited a puff of incredulous laughter from her. Towhee didn’t take it personally. When was the last time they’d spoken? Was it that time she’d dropped by the vale looking for Jackie? Why did it feel like that had happened lifetimes ago, when in reality it couldn’t have been more than a year or so?

I live here, she told him simply. She blinked, then began to smile. How the hell are you, Sunshine? How’s Meadow? You guys had some kids, right? You still scared of them?

Reyson remembered that day. And he remembered the heart ache of Maxim leaving too. His hesrt hurt a little even thinking of it now. But her questions pulled hin from the darkness with a sharp toothed smile and a huff of a laugh.

4, 3 boys, 1 girl. Niccolo and Deja have been gone since spring they went out in search of adventure as young men do. Rhonen and Lotus are still at home. Meadow is good sort of. That's why I'm here though.

A sad smile. We left the vale. Joined a pack with Tamar and Arsenio. Then he left. Then she left. And now our pack is dwindling. Meadow sent me to find something more suited for us.

He tried to add some ptero in there but he was not fluent.

She grinned through his update, ever so glad for the distraction from her own suddenly empty nest. Towhee gave him a commiserating look when he mentioned two of his sons leaving, though her tail never stopped waving. It sounded like the little family was doing fairly well, at least until Reyson broke the bad news in broken, clumsy Ptero.

Towhee didn’t hesitate to say, Come live here.

Towhee listened and she didn't seem put off by his poor ptero or his sad tale. But he shouldn't be surprised. Towhee though their initial meeting had been fraught. She and him had an easy sort of friendship.

Would you have room for four at least? I don't think the rest would come, but you never know.

Absolutely, Towhee said without missing a beat. My daughter and son-in-law just left with my grandson to travel for a while. There’s only four of us here. I told Meerkat we could hold down the fort and technically we can, though it would be a hell of a lot easier—not to mention more enjoyable—if we had a few more faces around here.

She didn’t want to hold her breath, though Towhee marveled at the odds of crossing paths like this. She really hoped Reyson would consider it. It would be pretty awesome to reunite with Meadow and meet their kids. Otter would probably feel a lot less lonely if there were some youngsters around again. Hope ballooned in her broad chest.

Reyson nodded his head. He was pretty sure Meadow would be fine with this move for now. He snaked his tongue around his broken fang while he thought about it.

Okay give us about a week and we'll be back to stay. I doubt Meadow will raise much hell about this move. Ahe misses wolves she knew.

Well, hell yeah! Towhee couldn’t help but shout when Reyson confirmed he would bring Meadow et al within a week. You have fantastic timing, my friend. We were looking down the barrel of several months with just a skeleton crew. We can definitely handle a week.

She moved forward to clap her old friend on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear as the sky darkened above them. Soon, she would get to see Meadow and meet their kiddos. And The Taigh wouldn’t be empty for long.

I’m sorry to hear Arsenio and Tamar have gone away, she thought to acknowledge as she moved back again, accidentally stepping on the dead rabbit. But I know you guys will love it here in the copse. You want a little tour before you head back? We’ll even feed ya.

She moved her paw off the cooling rabbit and snatched it up by the ears, dangling it tantalizingly in the air.

Laughter deep fell from the scarred maw of the veteran. He was glad they could help. Now it was a matter of telling Meadow. He was certain she'd be fine.

He chuckled and nodded. A tour and some food would be great.

He patted her in return. It was nice to see an old friend and have a set place to go.

Fade here? So happy!

Towhee thought he’d probably decline, which was fine. The sooner he left, the sooner he’d get back to Meadow; the sooner they could pack up and leave; the sooner they would come home to the copse. But she was just as happy when Reyson decided to indulge her hospitality.

Follow me. We’ll go to The Taigh, eat supper, then I’ll show you around.

Towhee sent up a howl to let @Otter and @Seal know she was bound for the cottage with food and a guest in tow. She hoped Ghost might hear her and go peck @Towhee Jr as well.

Still grinning, she snatched up the meat, exchanged a glance with Reyson and began loping east through the heart of the copse.