Heron Lake Plateau spare dad

It was Vasa who showed up first, and Eljay smiled broadly as she came into view. He wasn't too sure how all of them felt about his leaving -- well, really felt, anyway -- so he was glad that she came and that she greeted him with... Well, he wasn't entirely sure what the intent was, but he was pretty sure it was positive in some way or other. Eljay smiled softly and he reached out to lovingly nuzzle Vasa's cheek when she approached and greeted him.

Yo -- I mean hi, he said, feeling a little sheepish that he'd subconsciously copied the greeting. How is everything here at the plateau? he asked, trying to sound casual and hide his glee at the news he was going to share. He just didn't want to blurt out and say things that were all about him right off the bat; he did genuinely want to know how the plateau was, too. How the pups were, how Raven was...