Okay, she had this. Nope, she was totally ready. She had the skin stuffed with herbs she had learned about from Starling. She had properly groomed her fur after eating and drinking a large fill of water. Sparrow knew about travel from the travels with her parents, but this would be one of the first times she set off alone. She looked over herself once again, taking a deep breath. Her usually fluffy, bouncy fur was painstakingly groomed down, though some fluffiness remained. She was as ready as she ever would be. Her heart hammered in her chest. Sparrow's head tilted back as she called for her dad. It was more of a formality, she figured, since Starling was free to travel, but she really wanted her father to grace her trip and to not worry about her. Readjusting her pouch at her paws, Sparrow waited with a nervous smile. "SPEAK!"

Art by Evelyn

At his daughters call he came to her side at a quick trot, a brow raised as he leaned down and nuzzled her fluffy cheek. It wasn't often that his kids called him to their side, generally it was the other way around. "What's going on love?" He asked softly, sitting at her side and looking down at her. There was a bundle of something beside her, and from the smell of it it was some kind of herbs. Oh no, was she going to force learning the smelly things on him like Starling did? Swallowing down a rough lump in his throat, he curled his tail around his pale paws and waited for the girl to speak. "Speech"

Her father approached quickly and nuzzled her, asking her what was up. It was now or never. she could express herself honestly to her father, right? He would understand the desire to visit family, right? Though she wasn't aware, both father and daughter swallowed nervously simultaneously. Sparrow took a deep breath, preparing the speech she had thought over so many times, "Father, I would like to ask for a temporary leave in order to visit Rhythm with the purpose of aiding in the birth of her pups and providing extra herbs, if needed."  Sparrow's maw would shut tightly, forming a thin, tight line across her maw. She tried to ask formally, politely, showing that it was officially business and that she was clearly old enough to go on this journey alone. "SPEAK!"

Art by Evelyn