Heron Lake Plateau Hamrer hippyer.

Her Person seemed to think she was just reiterating her prior words. It was tempting to run with that incorrect assumption—if Niamh didn't know about the splinter, she couldn't choose it—but that was dumb. She would find out sooner or later. It was better if Towhee informed her, then made it clear she didn't have a choice (lovingly, of course...).

"Scoot over," the mercenary said, shuffling further into the den and plopping down beside Niamh. She spaced herself to allow a good view of her Person's face, while otherwise maximizing their points of contact so hopefully the other she-wolf would feel supported. "You look like shit still," Towhee observed with a fond cluck of her tongue. "Sorry things have been so rough."

Maybe gossiping about something that wasn't Niamh getting demoted, left by her mate or losing a brother would actually keep her Person's mind off those other things. "So, my older sister, Wildfire? She's thinking about starting a sister pack over in Sun Mote Copse. And I just want you to know that I'll have X peck out your eyes and rip off your tail if you try to go with her," Towhee said with a lopsided smile.