Phoenix Maplewood finders, keepers

At Hydra's glance, Alya flickered her ears back in a split-second gesture of embarrassment - confirmation enough for her sisters, but likely nothing more than a twitch to their observers. Reunion thus completed, Alya turned to Desdemona and Timberlake, tail still wagging in idle happiness. It did not pause when she saw her boy looking uncertain, but she did feel a pang of worry for him. "These are my sisters, Timber," she said, her voice likely far more enthused than Timberlake had ever heard it. "Their names are Hydra and Lyra. Come say hi," she encouraged, wanting for the boy to love her sisters like she did.

At Hydra's question, however, Alya made a tiny quelling sound. "He's not here right now," she said nonchalantly, but Hydra and Lyra would understand by her tone that the leader would likely not be back anytime soon. Desdemona, if she were paying attention, might discern the same thing. "Come on - I'll take you to where I sleep. You don't mind staying here for the night, do you?" she asked.