Marten whimpers and scampers away - up onto Fives' torso, actually, hiding behind the fox.

"You're such a pushover," the fox mutters, and Marten climbs onto its back and peers over the shoulder of one haunch, looking at Fives with wet, beady eyes. "He's so upset, Toast," Marten says softly. "Isn't there some way we could - could go easy on him?"

"You know there isn't," the Fox snaps. "You think I want to be the mean one? I fucking don't. But kits have got to learn."