Sun Mote Copse Gadgetville

Although she miraculously managed to scale the leader's back, Meerkat attempted to celebrate by wiggling joyfully and immediately tumbled off her other side. The pup flopped to the ground with a soft, "Oof!" She then began to laugh as she righted herself, taking her revenge on the entirely innocent Sovereign by headbutting her in the shoulder.

Above the rambunctious youngster, the Sovereign inquired about the late Blackthorns, a question which made Towhee's face melt into a sorrowful frown. -"I can't either,"- she replied, shaking her head lightly. -"I don't think I've wrapped my head around it just yet. Meerkat's been a great distraction but I sometimes worry that the grief is going to hit me at some point..."- She hoped not, though Towhee was trying to be prepared for the possibility. She didn't want to be incapacitated by it when the knowledge really sank its claws into her.

She took a few breaths and then admitted, -"I was most worried about how @Eljay would take it. I say 'was' because he's upheld surprisingly well. He's been very attentive."- Towhee frowned, wondering if he was like her: unable to process and on the verge of an emotional crash somewhere down the line.