Northstar Vale Shiny toy guns.

She didn’t catch his specific words, of course, but Towhee didn’t need to read his lips to know that Jack was expressing the very same sentiment. She indulged herself a moment longer, drawing in his scent, then finally leaned back so they could look into one another’s faces. This gave him room to lean in and kiss her snout, which made her want to grab him again in an even tighter hug. Towhee resisted the impulse, though her eyes shone right back at him.

They went a little glassy as he mentioned his father. Towhee swallowed, then reached for him after all, tugging him into a quick embrace one more time before releasing him. She sighed though her nose, setting aside her own feelings about the matter and focusing on how Maxim’s continued disappearance affected his eldest son.

I’m really sorry, Jackie. Too many people have left you. I know I’m not as close as I used to be but I will never be far, I promise, Towhee said, reaching up to stroke his cheekbone very briefly. And I plan to be around for a long time to come.

After a beat of silence, she gently changed the subject, asking, How’s life here in the vale? I want to hear about everything you’ve been up to.