Lake Rodney shapeshift conductor for your spark

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The druid watches as he manages to evoke a reaction out of the umbra boy: gestures what stringed together without the soft chuff and hearty thump of tail would have easily been virulent. Mato’s simper is teasing, light and jovial as if he is sharing an inside secret with Cypress before the stalwart druid breaks and a buoyant chortle leaves him, a sign that he holds no ill will towards the grim boy. They could not have been more polar: the austere raven and the starlight druid but Mato likes Cypress, for better or worse. There is a effloresce of amity within his breast for the stoic, wild haired boy before him. Perhaps the liaison stems from the fact that Cypress is the first wolf close to his own age that he is not related to. There is a certain comradeship to be found in that, the druid thinks.

The empyrean is respectfully quiet and despite his capricious attention span he offers Cypress his rapt attention as the umbra boy explains. As he explains that they — he and Rannoch — lost not one but both of their parents to a bear the druid’s lips tremble with condolences left unsaid. He cannot even begin to fathom how awful that must’ve been…how it was. Clearly, it affects the taciturn boy still, deeply. He is blessed, he knows. Both of his parents still live. His story grows in nightmare as he speaks of a stranger taking over lands that were his rightful claim and that when he stepped to challenge he was bested. His heart aches for Cypress and the stranger still Rannoch. “You are brave to guard your birthright, and brave for challenging the usurper.” Mato offers softly, giving pause to draw his salmon pink tongue across his lips. “I am sorry.” He speaks with altruism. He may not be able to understand but he tries to sympathize as much as he can.

Mato lets out a soft hum of contemplation as Cypress informs him that he isn’t sure that Rannoch is a naturalist but that he — or the other brother, Rian — might know one and then asks if he wants to meet them. The question startles Mato for a moment but he collects himself after a moment and speaks, “Sure.” because he is undeniably curious about this Rannoch and Rian that Cypress speaks so eminently of.

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