Northstar Vale -- the disappearance of the girl

You don’t have to acknowledge him! And you can skip him. He’s just being a brother. [hears squeals of rust as she posts with him]

Cypress emerged from the treeline without fanfare or ceremony, his tall frame and long limbs moving with controlled, almost mechanical precision. He approached Rannoch first as was appropriate, lips peeling back as he bestowed upon the underside of his littermate’s jaw a respectful wolf kiss, and then he turned to Mato. Tapered muzzle dipped in greeting as his heavily-feathered tail swept the air in a measured display of friendliness. In the summer heat he panted lightly, but his expression did not bear the typical “smile” of a panting canid. The ruined left corner of his mouth dipped down in a half-grimace, and he fixed Seabreeze with a scrutinizing stare that gave away nothing but the suggestion that he was fascinated by her. He did not speak, allowing Rannoch to call the shots, but his posture was neutral and largely untroubled. Only the way he lightly leaned one shoulder against Rannoch’s hip betrayed any kind of emotion from the stoic guardian — it was a supportive gesture, cut with a low, murmuring rumble.