Sun Mote Copse Relationships and politics should not mix

Just as quickly as it had begun, the downpour abruptly tapered. Towhee swiped a foreleg over her face to rid herself of the rainwater and tears alike. When she blinked back to a focus, she stared fixedly at Wraen's rapidly moving lips. Where her insides had been burning earlier, now they ached hollowly as she began the painstaking process of coming to terms with her friend's decision.

-"Just..."- she began haltingly, drawing in a breath of damp air, -"just take care of yourself, all right?"- And there was only one other thing left to say (aside from the final farewell itself): -"When will you be leaving?"- Towhee fully anticipated it would happen right away, based purely on recent experiences, though she quietly and selfishly hoped for longer notice this time.