Redhawk Caldera What does the future hold?

Amalia left the spear behind. At least for today. She went in search of where she had called home for a time. To look at it and form her own opinions. To forger her reality. Did she want a future with Killer absolutely. Did she want children. Also yes. But there were many worries. Would she be a good mom? Would she be able to even have kids? She had fought against her heat cycles for so long. What if her body no longer worked like it was supposed too.

She traced footfalls of friends gone. Their footprints long since faded, but she could remember some of where they went. She went through where there had been the mud fight and smiled fondly to think of Kivaluk and Chickadee and she hoped wherever they were they were happy and healthy and their children too.

Finally, she found herself beneath the hobbit hole and she sat, settled and tilted an ear. Closing her eyes to let the breeze flow over her. Content. Happy.

The lump on her foot had long since scabbed, then shrunk. Now it was just a slightly smaller knot of tough tissue. Towhee went back to paying it no attention whatsoever. The same could be said of her achy hind leg. Although she stayed active—“Motion is lotion,” Towhee often muttered under her breath—taking a break from constant globetrotting had definitely helped matters there.

She missed it. Every time Bushtit came by, she wished she could follow him. But he was grown now, entirely independent, and didn’t need his old mother slowing him down. Besides, Towhee had started to embrace this next phase of life, even though it made her laugh no less than three times a day when she realized she’d ended up back here, of all places.

She’d built herself a makeshift nest in the rear of the Hobbit Hole, where she sprawled now as morning crept over the caldera. Towhee took her time waking up and getting out of bed, compelled mostly by the hunger gnawing at her belly. She padded toward the lair’s entrance, planning to walk up to the dogwood tree and do some “yogurt” to ease the stiffness from her old body before she went out hunting.

But the sight of a black figure just downhill made Towhee pause, the woman’s name springing off her tongue in greeting: Amalia.

Amalia had been lost in her own wallowing pit of mind mess. That she hadn't realized that one of the scents she knew at least a little, was more permanent than others. That it floated around like a wolf that hung out here. She could be given this little bit of oversight.

Her name was called and she turned, ears pricked forward. When she saw the face of Killer or at least similarities at any rate looking out. This was a wolf that had given her a message. Someone Killer knew. She wracked her brains. Oh yes this was Towhee. His grandma she thought. She wondered about his mom and dad for a moment. Then shook her head. She thought she had met them, but she had met so many wolves now. It would be hard to remember right this minute.

There was something else really important about Towhee that she needed to remember. She frowned in thought and then clapped a paw to her muzzle of course. Towhee was deaf. And Amalia did not know the language of paws.

So she moved closer to the she wolf. And looked at her so she could read her lips. Hiya Towhee.

Spring green eyes flicked up to her and Towhee smiled, lifting her paw in a wave. Before she could make a move downward, Amalia ascended toward where she stood just outside the Hobbit Hole. Towhee’s eyes followed her movements, thinking to herself that this was Killdeer’s mate, her granddaughter-in-law and mother of her future great grandchildren.

I know we’ve technically met, the elder she-wolf said, but that hardly counts. So, it’s nice to meet you properly. She paused. I’m sure Killer’s mentioned that I’m camping out here until you two decide whether you’re making the move.

She hadn’t made any formal claims, though Towhee supposed her presence here and her frequent patrols—no way was she going to sit idly by if someone else tried to set their sights on this place—had put some informal dibs on the caldera. But she was only keeping the place warm for them.

Amalia and Killdeer had not made anything official exactly. But that was at Amalia's request. But if she were honest, she had firmly put him in place as hers in recent weeks. She just needed to tell him that. But that was as scary as their unsure future. What if he decided he wanted to leave too?

A smile lit up the green of her eyes and her face. Laughter peeking from her eyes. Reminiscent of her brother. Well met Towhee. I am Amalia Willow. Laughter followed her announcement. And a wag of her tail.

Amalia looked around. He told me. It is beautiful here. She looked again. Settling to her haunches her doubts and worries still hanging heavy on her mind.

Either she hadn’t taken Killdeer’s surname or they weren’t as official as Towhee thought. She cocked her head but made no comment, returning the woman’s easy smile. A bland light entered her orange eyes, however, as she surveyed their surroundings.

It’s okay, I guess, she said wryly. I’m in an ongoing fight with this place, she explained. We have a lot of history, the caldera and me…

But that was a tale for another day. Towhee wondered if Amalia would like to join her in her hunt for breakfast, though before she could extend that invitation, Amalia took a seat. She was pretty hungry, though not so famished that she couldn’t spare a few moments for conversation first.

Just here to look around, or? she queried, then abruptly remembered, Wait, you lived here before. You’re probably already as familiar with it as I am.

They were not official and honestly Amalia wasn't certain she would take Killdeer's surname. She may like to keep her own. She hadn't thought that far ahead. Though she should probably talk to him soon. Because as far as she was concerned it was just the making official thing they needed. They were already pretty much so.

Amalia did not know that Towhee was hungry. Had she known she'd have quickly helped to hunt something down. It did not do to have her future grandmother in law hungry. A tilt of downy head.

Yes I did. That is why. She clammed up for a moment and sighed. I am worried that perhaps I will bring it all to ruin.

Amalia pawed at her ear as she traced her thoughts. They were so many differnt paths and roadways. She could not even grasp the edges. I have been in three packs since I First came to the Teekon. Natigvik it fell apart soon after I joined. I then was a loner for a time. Then I joined brecheliante and it fell to ruin as well a year after. And now the spear. I joined and well now it has fallen or almost fallen.

Towhee quirked a brow at Amalia’s rejoinder. She explained how she’d joined pack after pack, only for them to disband. It took a good deal of self-control to school her expression as the Willow woman took responsibility for these things upon herself.

Three? Those are rookie numbers, Towhee countered. I’ve destroyed at least twice as many as that, maybe three times, she said with a serious face, which soon cracked into a smile. Very rarely does a wolf singlehandedly cause an entire pack to fall apart. It’s more of a group effort. And packs rise and fall all the time. It’s just the way things go.

But there was something in Amalia’s statement that niggled at her. Towhee chewed the inside of her cheek for a second.

Is Moonspear really in that bad a shape?

Amalia felt these things deeply. She was a very happy wolf, extremely. But she also felt things so deeply. It was a way she saw the world. Perhaps she shouldn't have taken it as responsibility. But she had.

Amalia felt her guilt slighly dissipate and she couldn't quite hide the soft smile that traced her features. Makine her feel happy and a little vulnerable. She liked Killer's grandma. I suppose so. But it has always felt as if it were a thing. But perhaps I should reframe my thinking or at least try.

Amalia shifted. When I leave. It will be taken down to 7 or so, mostly young. Alaric is strong willed and he will do his best. But even he cannot perform miracles. Pie will help. She seems stubbornly attached to the place and she will make a good leader as she learns. At least I believe so from what Killdeer has told me of her. Admittedly she and I have not spoken much.

Seven didn’t sound like a dire number, particularly with a stronger leader in place. Towhee tried to remember what she knew about Alaric. Was he the one who reminded her of her long lost mate? She couldn’t quite recall. It didn’t matter. There was also Tiuttuk, attached to Moonspear much like her great grandmother had once been loyal to the earth beneath their paws.

Perhaps it was this mental comparison that made her frown slightly. She knew she’d been hurt by her father’s decision, that her reaction had wounded him in turn. But loyalty like that should be celebrated, even if Towhee worried about what would become of Treepie should the pack cease to exist.

I don’t know what you called it when Brecheliant lived here, the Redhawk said, apropos of nothing, but we always called that the Hobbit Hole. She gestured at the spacious lair nearby. I always tried to get everyone to use it, though I know a lot of wolves prefer their own dens. If this shakes out, it’s where I plan to stay, if that’s okay with you and Killer. I’d love it if we all shared but, again, I understand the need for your own space…

It had been 4 just days before when a family had shown up. Amalia didn't know much about them. Merely noted their scent and her brothers had intermingled for a brief moment.

Alaric did well and Tiuttuk did well. But so had Maya and Eljay, so had Sahkmet and Kigipigak.

Amalia's gaze went to the hobbit hole and she smiled. She knew the name. It had been Killdeer who had introduced it to her. She had enjoyed staying in it a time or two herself.

That is what Killdeer calls it as well. He was the one who originally showed it to me. It is his favorite spot.

Amalia chuckled. My family always shared. I don't have a problem with that. Besides Killdeer wants children. And it would be nice to have a grandma nearby.

A small sad smile. And a shake of her head. Don't mistake I do too. But I am unsure if I can have any.

She barely knew Amalia, though she didn’t need to know anything about her except that Killdeer had chosen her. By that merit alone, Towhee would gladly share housing with her. It seemed Amalia liked the idea too, which warmed the elder Redhawk considerably. She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, though at her age, she also didn’t want to be stuffed in some dark hole, all alone.

Of course, she thrilled at the mention of helping rear more descendants, though before Towhee could share that, the younger woman’s face fell. Amalia admitted she wasn’t sure she could bear children. Towhee knew that feeling all too well and wondered what made Amalia think she couldn’t.

I was convinced I was barren once, Towhee said, and then I went on to have roughly one billion offspring. Just because it didn’t take before doesn’t mean it couldn’t ever. But what makes you doubtful? she pressed, orange eyes gentle.

Amalia would have gladly shared whatever the woman wanted to know. She in turned wanted to know as much as she could about Killer's family. She wanted to know him even better too. His quirks and his habits and his little small flaws and the big cute little things that made him perfectly himself. She knew a lot she did. But she also knew you never truly knew everyone completely.

Amalia's ear twitched. And she thought how to word it. it is of my own doing. I have always stopped my heat cycle with herbs and medicines. Safely of course. I have never gone through one. ANd i know because I grew up with healers. That sometimes this can permanently cause issues. But I never thought children or even love would be in the cards for me.

Towhee was no healer, though if Amalia had dosed herself safely, then surely it hadn’t done any permanent damage. She pursed her lips, considering the woman’s concerns, and tried to think of a way to share her optimism without totally invaliding said concerns.

I wouldn’t assume the worst until you give it the old college try, she said.

Part of her wanted to crack a joke and wink, yes, even about her grandson’s sex life. But she didn’t know Amalia well enough to know how she’d take something like that. Besides, this was a vulnerable moment. Instead, she fought back her smile as she momentarily gazed out at the caldera’s inward slopes.

You know what I’ve learned, after living the better part of a decade? she asked, orange gaze swinging back to meet Amalia’s green. Never say never. I know it’s a tired old saying but it’s the truest fact I know.

Towhee had always used someone who was a healer's expertise to dose herself. It was something she was not willing to mess with. She had seen coming from a family of healers. The way some wolves acted when given to much of something and it was horrifying.

Amalia chuckled. She was now as bawdy as her brother. And she did not deal in sex as he did sometimes. But she did understand the nuances and she could laugh at some of the jokes. Some of course went over her head, given that she had been up to this point completely abstinent.

Softly a smile traced over her maw. Well who am I to question such good advice. Now so we don't get down in our cups so to speak.

She shook out her pelt as if shaking off the heaviness. Despite that it still clung to her eyes and corners of her mouth. She smiled despite it. Killer tells you travel a lot. What was your favorite place to visit?

The way Amalia shook herself told Towhee that she no longer wanted to dwell on this heavy topic. As excited as she felt about more great grandbabies—unlike Towhee herself, such things would never get old—she didn’t mind at all as the subject changed.

I did, though I think those days are over, she replied, her words accompanied by a mild twinge in her chest. I mean, I just can’t do the distances I used to anymore, at least according to my bad leg. But since I’ve taken it easy and the weather’s gotten warmer, it doesn’t bother me nearly as much.

It seemed like Killdeer did plan to stake his claim here, so her wandering days really were going to be curtailed. She supposed she would still do it every now and then. She’d miss the sense of freedom, but the Redhawk matriarch realized she’d come to embrace the idea of treating this place like her homebase.

Um, but that doesn’t answer your question. This might be cheesy, but my favorite places to visit are wherever my children and grandchildren are. Her lips twitched as she then mused,. Now that I’m less mobile, I hope they’ll return the favor and start coming to visit grandma’s house, at least whenever they can.

Amalia was not a morose wolf by nature. Truly her constant happiness could possibly be an irritant to others. But she did not mind so much. She wasn't likely to change at this point anyway. She was not as young as she had once been. Nor was she old. But she was pretty set in her ways.

She froze as she realized she had never really asked Killer how old he was. Oh well. Hopefully she wasn't robbing a cradle.

Amalia nodded. I used to roam a lot. Actually my family did too. But Alaric and I set out at about a year old and we traveled until we came here about 2 years later. There is something about it. But it does get exhausting sometimes.

Amalia looked at the leg in question. You know Alaric or another healer may have something to at least ease the pain a little in the winter.


Amalia shook her head. I don't think that is cheesy at all. I think it's lovely. Well, any children we have. I know it takes a village. So I will be sure they come visit grandma as often as possible.

It sounded like Amalia had been roaming since a young age, whereas Towhee hadn’t picked up the penchant until much later in life. Sometimes, she still marveled at what had become of the young guardian who’d once refused to set foot outside the caldera. She’d changed a lot over the years, often forced and molded by the hands of fate. And now she was like a freebird who’d finally come home to roost, she supposed.

Tucking that thought aside, Towhee said, Well, if we all live here together, that’ll be easy to accomplish, and grinned in the direction of the Hobbit Hole.

She should probably temper her expectations, especially after this conversation. But Killdeer was pretty set on coming here—it was only a matter of time—and she really wanted to believe Amalia could bear his children. Towhee would stay one way or the other, though she would be lying if those theoretical puppies didn’t have sway over her.

Hey, I’m pretty hungry. Would you like to help me fetch some breakfast? Towhee invited in the next breath, groaning a little as she stretched onto all fours.

IT makes my heart happy that a descendent of Blue Willows family and a daughter of PEregine can have a chat <3

Amalia and Alaric had set out very early. Partly because they wanted too and partly because they had too. Life had begun to grow harder for their family than originally thought possible.

Amalia nodded. SHe had no qualms about living with Towhee. Killer would have the final say of course. But she didn't imagine he'd be remiss to the idea. He seemed to really love his family.

Of course. Amalia stood as well. Also stretched. Though she felt a little bad when Towhee groaned. But she had gleaned enough to know not to ask if she was alright. Towhee would tell them if she wasn't.

Heck yeah, much legacy, many throwback! :D

Feel free to fade and/or archive!

Realizing she hadn’t addressed Amalia’s offer of treament, Towhee posited, By the way, I’m not opposed to taking something to help with the pain, if it’s readily available. I don’t want to be a constant drain on the supplies, so hopefully I won’t need them often. And I wouldn’t be opposed to helping gather some more. Supplies, I mean. It’s not my forte but, hey, even old dogs can learn new tricks.

Smirking faintly, she bobbed her head at Amalia and then began ascending the caldera’s inner wall, headed toward its rim. Perhaps they might come across some small game on the way there, otherwise Towhee would lead them up and over, to the slopes beyond. They could even plunder the nearby forests if needed, especially since her leg wasn’t bothering her at all today.