Neverwinter Forest Bullet train to Iowa.

Towhee hadn’t heard that particular euphemism before. She raised an eyebrow and offered a soft snort of amusement. She had sunk low enough in the pool that the warm gush of air rippled the water. It inspired her to dip down and blow bubbles, for no particular reason.

Her eyes remained fixed on Dwin, digesting the latest inquisition. When was the last time somebody had shown this much interest in her life? It was kind of fun to muse about all these things. She felt a flush of appreciation for her young companion as she surfaced to answer.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a leader and a warrior, I think. And I did grow up to be those things. Then I wanted to be a mother. Then I wanted to be a grandmother. You know, life’s thrown a lot of shit at me over the years but you’ve reminded me of all the things I’ve still managed to achieve. Thank you for that.

Obeying another playful compulsion, she dipped her mouth below the waterline again and then spit it out in a fountain. She aimed it toward Dwin, though not directly enough that it would likely hit her.

When her mouth was emptied, she asked, What about you? What do you want to be when you grow up? God, that tasted like farts.