Ouroboros Spine Somebody come get her, she’s feelin’ all the liquor.

When she woke up the morning after her unexpected rendezvous with Aneira, Towhee didn’t actually get up right away. She was so comfortable in her makeshift bed of soft moss, she didn’t even get to her feet until nearly noon, and only because her bladder demanded it. She yawned as she relieved herself, then decided she could spend a day lazily moseying. Moonglow could wait and… her grandson and Amalia probably needed more than just a few days alone.

So she whiled away the day doing a whole lot of nothing, went to bed early and rose at the crack of dawn the following day. Feeling rather rested and refreshed, Towhee finally headed due west toward the outer fringes of the spine. It had been nearly six months since she’d last seen it, even longer since she’d actually spoken with any of its inhabitants.

Towhee wasn’t sure it was a good idea to put demands on @Kukutux, so she called for @Rodyn instead. It had only been a few days since they’d last seen one another, though she certainly didn’t mind and hopefully he wouldn’t either. She smiled to herself, the tip of her tail flicking to and fro as she waited to see who might come.

Rodyn had enjoyed his stay with Towhee. He had returned home quickly afterwards, but not empty pawwed. He had hunted small game and carried it to the caches. But it had been a nice repreive from his stress and worry to speak with a friend.

It was with surprise, but joy that he heeded the call at the borders. Towhee had said she would make a jaunt to check in with Kukutux. He hoped her leg hadn't given her much trouble.

HIya towhee. Did your leg pain you too much? Ears forward as sniffed and eyed her for any sign of discomfort.

Her insides warmed pleasantly when Rodyn appeared. He looked happy to see her, and just better in general today. Pleased, Towhee’s tail twitched as he came closer. She reached to sniff noses with him, then laughed when his attention immediately went to her leg.

She didn’t like calling attention to her deterioration, though she welcomed Rodyn’s consideration and concern. Towhee opened her mouth to reassure him that her leg felt just fine—which was the truth—but then she clapped it shut as a little smirl crept over her face.

It’s feeling a tiny bit achy. A lil’ massage might be nice, she hinted with bright eyes.

Rodyn was always happy to see Towhee. Which stopped his thoughts short. Because if he actually thought about it. Besides Aiolos and Kukutux. She was his only friend left. Everyone else was gone, having passed away or disappeared. It was saddening.

He gave her nose a gentle sniff. And then continued his gentle persual of her wolfess self. Her leg making him worry.

He saw her smile and then her next words and he chuckled. Is that so.

He motioned for her to move her paw forward. He was not the greatest. But he knew how to help an aching muscle he had pulled a few in his time. IT was hard truthfully without thumbs. The most he could do was roll along it gently.

That was probably a little too forward, too flirtatious. But Towhee couldn’t exactly take back the words and Rodyn didn’t seem bothered by them. She couldn’t hear his chuckle, naturally, but seeing it on his face made her heart skip a little. He motioned for her to move into position, which made something in her belly swoop in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

Drawing in a steadying breath, Towhee stared at his face for a few seconds just to make sure he wasn’t secretly cringing. Then she unceremoniously dropped to the ground, stretching out the hind leg that tended to give her trouble. It was actually visibly thinner than the other, thanks to the partial paralysis that had lent to the muscles atrophying over the years.

It wasn’t hurting her now, though Towhee leaned over to nose where it tended to ache the most: right around the patella, at the front of her stifle joint. She then glanced up at Rodyn, checking in with his expression again as she waited to see what he might do.

Rodyn supposed it could be considered forward. But he wasn't perturbed by it. And didn't take it wrongly. She was hurting he could help. So why not help.

Rodyn didn't cringe or make any faces. Just stood with steady look in his gaze. Hoping he didn't hurt her worse. He didn't think he could. But he wasn't a weak guy and sometimes worried he'd hurt others without meaning too.

She dropped to the ground which earned her another small chuckle and he shifted forward. Nosing towards where she said. Then with paws built from years of hunting pressed and rolled. He couldn't squeeze, but he could put consistent pressure.

She bit her lip as his warm paw touched her, sending a little zing! through her bloodstream. Towhee told herself to relax, though as Rodyn began to knead, she reflexively tensed. It tickled! Then he began to apply pressure, easing the tickling sensation, and abruptly the Redhawk went boneless. Her head even flopped to the ground with a quiet thunk.

Oh, she said, eyes fluttering. Damn. That feels even more amazing than I thought it would. Like… She inhaled and exhaled on another, Oh…

Muscles tensed beneath his paw, and he stopped. Fearful he had hurt her. But then he felt her muscles ease and he nodded. Good he hadn't hurt her. Just reflex.

He chuckled as she thunk3d her head downwards. Tight muscles always felt better after consistent pressure. He also enjoyed hot springs for it.

You good?

His pause made her tip her head up a little to peer at him, catching his words. Towhee then flopped again, head once more thunking on the ground. At least it was mostly soft.

I’m grrrrreat, she replied, channeling her inner @Tony the Tiger. I can’t even remember the last time I had a massage, she mused as he worked her leg. I forgot how good they can feel.

And just being touched in any way was nice. She hugged her children and grandchildren quite a lot, though this wasn’t that. It was intimate in a different way. Her eyelids fluttered as she pondered that, trying to keep her thoughts clinical when they began to wander in a mildly inappropriate direction.

Rodyn hoped she didn't hurt her head. The way she kept kerplunking it down. What if it caused brain damage or something.

He nodded. They help a lot. Ice pulled a few muscles hunting. I also like a long soak in a hot spring. But the smell is awful so I usually have to dip into a stream after.

Rodyn wasn't immune to the feeling. It had been sometime since he had touched anyone or been touched by anyone other than Kukutux. But he was able to mostly put it to the bsck of his mind. And focus on helping her.

I owe you, she purred as Rodyn continued, her flesh, muscle and bone humming in pleasure.

She allowed him to massage for a few more minutes before she sat up a little, propped on her elbow. Towhee stretched her leg to its full length, then bunched the muscles. It felt good as ever. She grinned at him, then pushed up into a sit.

I’ll repay the favor sometime, if you want, she offered, ignoring the slightly molten feeling in her core at the thought, but right now, I’d love to go see Kukutux. Only if you think she’s open to a visitor, though.

Her concerned eyes caught on his, the unspoken question clear on her face: How is she?

Rodyn shrugged. You don't owe me a thing. and she didn't. He had done it to help. To make her feel better.

A nod. I'll remember that. He looked around.

Sure I can take ya. She's doing alright planning g a wedding for her son Arrluk and Ajei.

He frowned. She's still not herself though. It's worrying.

Towhee blew out a breath. If Kukutux was up to planning a wedding, then hopefully she wasn’t doing too poorly. Rodyn still voiced some concern, so she nodded, lips pulling into a thin line. She didn’t think there was much she could do for the “moon woman” aside from offer her empathy for life’s hills and valleys—some of them so deep it felt impossible to climb out of them.

Take me to her? she asked quietly, pushing her shoulder against Rodyn’s so they stood abreast of one another.

I’d love to invite her in here, though if she can’t join, that’s totally okay! We can fade to black. :)

A nod. He shifted so he could lead into the territory. He knew @Kukutux may enjoy it. And perhaps they'd even see Ajei and she'd invite the sweet Towhee to the wedding.. He knew she knew her.

She should be near her den. Come on. A smile then and a softly moved step towards moonglows center.

once more, moonwoman's paws had their tasks to occupy.

peltskins here. half-haired hides piled elsewhere.

foodstuffs, sorting.

she called out when she saw rodyn and towhee moving along the path, yet worry had set itself in her eyes.

kukutux did not realize her own diminishment even in the thinned arms reaching to greet. "towhee! it is good to see your face."

It wasn’t as familiar as some paths, though Towhee knew where to look as they strode deeper into Moonglow’s stronghold. She saw Kukutux’s familiar shape silhouetted by her ulaq and studied her, first from afar and then from up close. Towhee’s stomach clenched when she noticed her thinness, the hallowed look in formerly vibrant eyes.

Hey, Towhee greeted, feeling as though the pale woman might crumble in her arms.

Reminding herself that “moon woman” wasn’t frail as all that, she drew back and gently settled onto her haunches. She tried not to stare at Kukutux, though she noticed the concerned way the other woman looked at her and it made Towhee want to laugh. So she did, the sound airier than usual.

I heard things have been even more difficult than usual lately, she said, glancing at Rodyn before her eyes came back to rest on Kukutux’s too-sharp cheekbones. So I just wanted to come by and offer my moral support. I hope that’s okay.

He can be skipped a few rounds <3

Rodyn settled to the side. Gave Towhee an encouraging nod when she looked at him. He had no shame at telling someone who he felt could help that Kukutux was having a hard time. And towhee probably could help. She had to have known those who had passed on, she had been a soldier after all. That much he knew.