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Chapter 70: Pregnant Pause

Nathanial put the last touches on the meal, Chinese, again, and smiled. It turned out Faelen had wanted to help so he could exchange ideas and tips -- to see how Nathanial prepared his meals. It was a lot of fun cooking with him; they talked the whole time, jumping from questions about why he added this spice at that point, to stories about Geoff when he was younger, to things at school. Geoff was downstairs watching a soccer game on TV with Garret, he could hear them yelling at the ref sometimes or cheering at others. The back gate opened, Liam led the Spirits and his father toward the house. "I need to put an alarm of some sort on the back gate." Faelen looked at him questioningly as he scooped out the spring rolls from the oil. "Everyone else is just walking across the backyard, now. I don't like the idea of anyone being able to just wander in, not that the wall is much of a deterrent. Do the Fey around you warn you of danger? The brownie or the dryads, I mean? You are leaving milk and bread out for the brownie, right?"

Faelen nodded, "Every night. There's no way I want a pissed off brownie in the house. He actually helps out a lot, too. He fixed the railing by the stairs, great job." He patted the last batch of rolls with a paper towel to get the excess oil off. "No, they don't really warn us of much, but we haven't been attacked like you. Do you want me to get the patio door? Or are they coming in through the basement?"

"Patio door, and yes, if you please. I'll bring everything out to the table." He cast his mind down to his father, *Dad, company's here and supper is ready. Get Geoff to fetch Nicholas and Micah, please.*

Garret spoke out loud, for Geoff's benefit, "Yes, Nathanial, thanks, Geoff'll get the pups. Do you mean they're at it again? I thought Faelen fucked Nick silly less than an hour ago." His voice was dry.

Nathanial chuckled, *Yeah, but Micah was horny and Nick was still able to keep going. They actually study a lot better when Nick is tied to Micah; Micah is able to stay in one place for more than ten minutes at a time with a dick up his ass.*

Garret winced, "I didn't need that image in my mind, thanks." He clicked off the TV, causing Geoff to moan and punch a pillow. His team was charging toward the goal. "Nathanial says your dad's here, and supper is ready. Go separate my other two boys, please."

Geoff looked at him, surprised, "Oh, okay. They're at it, again? I guess Nathanial's talking to you, then." Garret rolled his eyes, "What?"

Nathanial flipped over, *Yes, he was talking out loud so you'd hear him. I guess you were too wrapped up in the match.* He heard the patio door roll open.

Geoff stood up and scratched the back of his neck, "Heh, guess so. I'll get them." He trotted over to Micah's bedroom.

"Faelen, my love, I am pleased to see you." Liam's voice drifted over from the sitting room, he could see them step aside for a quick kiss, and to let the four adults in. Liam's eyes shone as he gazed up at the wolf, his paw rested on Faelen's chest, "I trust practice went well? As did your after practice exercise?"

Faelen took the small paw in his own and brought it up to his lips, "Yes, to both. Mr. Marks is a really tough coach, I think we'll lose several players, but he's really good, too. I wouldn't be surprised if they were replaced by even better players. The exercise was good, too, but I think Nick got more out of it than I did." Den shot him a 'look'. "Yes, Poppy, you're right... this time. I did have sex with him, he likes it really rough, but can't find someone to give it to him like that. So I helped him out." Den groaned and covered his eyes as he shook his head. Conor sighed and shook his head, too. Walter and Dirk just smiled.

Garret walked up the stairs, as Nathanial poked his head around the corner, "Come in, everyone. The table is just set, and I don't want the spring rolls to get cold. Geoff and my brothers will be another minute." Garret walked into the sitting room and started greeting everyone. Nathanial sent his mind down to Nicholas, *Nick, make sure you two wash thoroughly, please. You still have cum on your dick, go get a damp cloth and clean yourselves.* Nicholas put his underwear down and brought Micah over to the washroom. Nathanial began ushering everyone into the dining room, placing Conor in the guest-of-honour's position to Garret's right and Dirk to Garret's left. Next to Conor was Den, Micah, Nicholas and Geoff; on the other side, by Dirk, was Walter, Liam, and Faelen. As people came in and stood at their seats, waiting for the two pups, Nathanial apologized, "I'm sorry the seating arrangements aren't exactly to protocol, but I chose to seat people more by... couples than anything. Normally I'd have the bodyguards by their charges, but I hope this is considered a safe enough environment, I'll rearrange things if not. I figured Faelen and Liam would want to sit together."

Dirk smiled, "You're saying Walter and I are a couple?"

Nathanial blushed, "I don't know, but it was an easy way of keeping the adults together. I could sit Mr. O'Conall there, if you prefer. I just know you enjoy his company..." He broke it off and shook his head. Den rubbed the bridge of his muzzle between his eyes.

Dirk glanced at Faelen and quickly smiled before saying, patiently, "Yes, Da, you're right... this time. Walter and I enjoy fucking, I like it really rough, and he gives it to me. We aren't dating, though."

Den shuddered, "Gods, you guys. It's like you're all a bunch of march hares, breeding like mad."

Micah popped into the dining room, "Yup! It's great!" Nathanial groaned and lowered his head. Nicholas followed Micah in, blushing furiously.

Den glanced between the two youngest pups, his own blush battling with a paling face, "You... you two? Brothers? A little pup!?"

Nathanial sighed, "Thanks, Micah. You aren't supposed to be telling anyone. Micah is Dad's son but his mother was a nymph. His sexual needs and capacity are... not what you'd expect from a Mage pup. Besides, it's not like he can get pregnant." Den looked a bit confused.

Garret raised his paws, "I agree with you, Faeden, but it started before I came back onto the scene and was told point blank to keep my nose out of it. I think threats of airliner sized worms and visits to Tartarus played a role in my decision to try to ignore it the best I can. Please, everyone be seated, and no more talking about your rampant gay sexual activities. Not everyone here likes hearing about it." He paused as everyone sat, "Even if we love you." Another short pause, "For who you are, all of who are, and wouldn't change you even if we could, but... well. I don't want details."

Conor chuckled, "A little disjointed, but, yes, I agree. You can love us without hearing about our sex lives, we can love you without hearing about yours."

Den still looked confused, "Doesn't that hurt?"

Micah lit up and opened his mouth to answer, but Nathanial cut him off, "Micah!" Micah closed his mouth, disgruntled, "Dad said no details, and they don't want to talk about it. If Mr. O'Conall wants to know he can wait until after supper. Liam can let him find out firstpaw if it hurts or not."

Garret growled, "Nathanial, that's enough. No more talk of sex at the table! Conor, please pass the spring rolls over." Conor did, "Thank you. This looks great, Nathanial."

"Thanks, Dad. Faelen helped, today, it was a lot of fun, actually." He dished some gai lan that he'd cooked in garlic and butter onto his plate, and poured a little hoi sin sauce on it, "I... have a bit of news."

The table became still, Den glanced around and said dryly, "You aren't pregnant, are you? I thought you just said that wasn't possible."

Garret shot him a dark glare, "What news?"

"I'm probably going to be job shadowing for a day or two this week or next." He pushed his gai lan a bit with his chopsticks.

Liam sighed, "Then just say what you will, Nathanial, we do not wish to have to draw every piece of information out of you. It is obvious you have something to say that we will not appreciate."

"I'm going to be shadowing a police officer, Sergeant Heimdolf, he was in charge of the investigation into Lily's death."

Garret shrugged, "That sounds interesting. Why the sudden curiosity in police work? Were you afraid I'd be upset because of how it's the same officer that was in charge of the investigation?"

Liam's eyes narrowed, "This has to do with the Hunter, Mr. Gomeche's sister, yes? You are seeking assistance in tracking her down?" He paused, "Please do not tell me he is a Hunter... no, you would not seek aid from one. A... Knight? You are seeking help from a Knight Templar?"

Nathanial was trying to avoid that bit of information, and ducked his head, waiting for the explosion. Instead, there was dead silence, except for a piece of pork falling from Dirk's chopsticks back onto his plate. Walter cleared his throat, "So, is this Hunter a friend? Or is Mr. Gomeche a friend and you're helping him find a missing relative? Either way it sounds like a very kind thing to do." His brows furrowed, "Wait. Liam, didn't you tell me the Knights are led by an Ancient One? Someone that you fought with several times in your past?"

Liam answered before Nathanial could try to stave off the expected, but delayed commotion, "Indeed. I have fought the Knights many times, as well as the Grand Inquisitor. He has earned the title well, as he led the Spanish Inquisition and led a few excursions of the Conquistadors into South America. Many of my targets as Lowell were Knights under his direction. I would ask what you were thinking, Nathanial, but I cannot, under any situation, understand why you would turn to a Knight for assistance."

Nathanial's voice was quiet, "Not all Knights are evil, they just want to protect their families from what they see as a hostile magic force, the same way we want to protect ours from people who are out to hurt us. He was horrified when I told him of the Hunters' actions; he called it genocide and said it was insane. He wants to help me find Jezebel, and the others, so their families can find some peace. The job shadow was his idea, and he's hoping I can help him crack a few murder cases, too. I can help people this way, I hope. I think I can show the Knights, even if it's only a few, that we're people, just like they are. The more we understand each other, the less likely it'll be that people will turn to the Hunters, and maybe they'll go from joining the Knights to joining the Monks."

Liam growled, "You are a hopeless idealist, Nathanial. He is a Knight, they think magic is evil, unless it is under their control. Only Priests are to have magic."

Nathanial shrugged, "That might be the dogma preached from the top, but is it what all of them believe? Sergeant Heimdolf didn't seem to think so. Are all Spirits like the way I hear, um, Rolph? Your uncle, Geoff?" Geoff nodded, "Like Rolph is? Or are there more Spirits like Geoff, too? Why can't there be Rolph Knights and Geoff Knights? Even in the Hunters there could be people who've been told that Spirits are a type of Demon, but have never had the chance to be shown they're wrong."

Liam put his head in his paw, elbow braced on the table. Micah watched them talk as he nibbled on a spring roll. Liam sounded very tired, "And if there are, so what? Do you think one little Mage can change centuries of hate and violence? You have magic I have never seen, but what can one person do, Nathanial?"

Nathanial smiled, placing his paws on Geoff's and Faelen's, "I can make friends, Liam. Then I'm not one, anymore. Do you really think one person can't be a force for good, for positive change? History is full of people, individuals, who've done amazing things or horrible things. One person can make a difference, Liam. You have. You've made a huge difference in lots of people's lives, like mine."

Liam shook his head and smiled at Nathanial, "I repeat my earlier statement, Nathanial-kun, you are a hopeless idealist. You are also a dear friend and I do not wish for you to change." He leaned across Faelen to pat Nathanial's paw, where it rested on Faelen's, "No, you are not 'one' any more."

Den seemed to ponder something, then tried to hide a smile as he said, "Wait, you didn't have sex with this Knight, too, did you?" Nathanial almost burst out laughing at the dead silence around the table as his joke fell flat. Den's ears sagged, "Sorry."

Nathanial sighed, "Well, there is something else..."

The table froze again, Micah looked around, "Dad, can I have some of the tofu, please? Um, Sensei, can I have the lemon chicken?" The dishes were passed over, Liam opened his mouth, but Micah chirped, "Thanks! This is really good, Nats. And, um, Faelen." Liam looked at Micah with an impassive expression, Micah ducked his head and muttered, "Sorry."

Liam opened his mouth, again, and shot a look at Micah, who stuck his tongue out at him and bit into a piece of deep fried tofu smothered in a spicy garlic sauce, "Now, as I was going to say, please do not draw this out, again, Nathanial. As Den inquired, you have not had sex with this Knight, I trust, but is there another foe you are seeking to befriend? Whether carnally or platonically? You have acquaintances, if not friends, in just about every camp thus far."

Nathanial blushed, "Ah, n-no, no friend making. I'm being summoned to Ottawa, tomorrow, by the Society. They're sending someone out to pick me up at six... twenty-five?" He pulled out his phone, "Yes, six twenty-five."

Garret put his chopsticks down and poured another glass of wine, "I thought the tests were supposed to be in November. Why the sudden rush? The Society just doesn't rush, it's against its nature." He took a gulp of his wine.

Geoff gripped Nathanial's paw, "Tests? This isn't about your heart, is it? Liam is the best around, Ella said so. Has it gotten worse?"

Nathanial looked at Liam, "So it's my heart that has everyone so worried? What's wrong with it?"

Geoff's jaw dropped, "So it isn't?"

Nathanial shook their joined paws a little, then squeezed Geoff's paw in return, "I assumed you weren't telling me what was wrong to try to keep me from worrying, but now that I know, what's wrong?"

Liam glared at Geoff, "You have a weak heart, an inherited condition, I believe; the stress you have endured, and continue to endure, is making it far worse. It is coupled with some narrow arteries in the vicinity of the heart. The damage your heart is exhibiting indicates you have had two minor heart attacks, if you can call an attack minor. No, Geoff, the Society has not been informed of his condition, it is none of their concern. As your Healer, I am giving you the best treatments available, short of bypass surgery or placing stints in the arteries. Take your medicine, as directed, eat a healthy diet, as you do, exercise under my observation, which you also do, and above all relax. It is the stress, more than anything else, that is causing you problems. Rapid swings in chi add to that, but the medicine contains some yin boosting elements to aid you in that regard." He glanced at Geoff and saw the stricken expression on his face, "Thus, I want you to continue to mate with Geoff as you have. The medicine was designed specifically with that in mind; should you stop, you would be required to seek out Dirk-san's assistance to keep it in balance."

The conflicted expressions on Geoff's face made Nathanial and Faelen burst out laughing. Nathanial lifted Geoff's paw and rubbed the back of it on his cheek, "Silly puppy. Do you want me to be forced to beg Mr. O'Conall, Dirk, for sex? Or even the older O'Conall, if he's yang?" He turned to Den, "You wouldn't let me die from lack of sex, would you, sir? I'll call you 'daddy' and you can discipline me if I'm bad."

Den blushed and started to stammer, making Nicholas scowl and exclaim, "No fair! I've been looking for a daddy, I need one, and you can just wander up to any big and totally hot guy and get him to do you like that? Come on, Nats! Leave one for me, would you? Mr. O'Conall, sir, please take me, instead. He's just playing and I'd really like it if you were my daddy. I'll do whatever you say, you can be as rough with me as you want and I'll love every second of it. No matter how big you are, I can take it whenever you need to get off and I'll beg for more. Please!?"

Dirk snorted before he could catch himself, and put his paws over his mouth as he tried, unsuccessfully, to stop from laughing. Soon he was howling in laughter, "D-da!? A daddy? Oh-oh, gods!" Nick's eyes teared up in embarrassment and shame. Dirk managed to quell his laughter long enough to say, "P-pup." He cleared his throat, "Nicholas, Da is not gay. Better not be after the grief he gave me for not telling him I was." He glared at his father for a second, before snorting again, "He probably has no idea what you're talking about, and he'd be horrified if he did." He started laughing quietly, again, as he struggled to keep it in.

Den did look horrified, but managed to answer, "Dirk, the pup was very obvious in what he wanted me to do. No, I am not gay, not even bi. I'm a da, but no one's daddy, even my little girl doesn't call me daddy anymore."

Garret looked as uncomfortable as Den, "Sorry, Nick, I'm not entirely sure what you're asking about, but from the sounds of it, that isn't me, either. I don't... not my business, talk to Nathanial about it. I'd probably get in trouble sticking my nose in that. And can we please stick to not-gay-sex topics during supper?"

Nathanial got up and walked over to Nick and hugged him from behind the chair, wiping his tears with a napkin, "Hey, Nick, I've never had sex with him. I was teasing him about it when I met him. If he ends up needing a tight akita ass to pound, he's all yours, okay? I'll even help you reel him in, or help him tie you up, as the case may be. I'll make sure the straps are nice and tight and the leather paddle stings like anything."

Nick's face lit up, "Really? You'd do that for me? Leather straps and a paddle?"

Nathanial rubbed his head against Nicholas', "Of course, you're my brother." The array of expressions around the table were priceless, ranging from 'Zeus have mercy, did he just say what I thought he said?', to 'Aww, that's so sweet!', or 'Please, just kill me now.'

Liam chuckled, "Now that that is settled, may we please get back to the original topic? The 'what tests and why in Ottawa' topic?"

Den muttered, "He thinks I'm hot? Totally hot?" He looked around for a mirror or a shiny surface.

Nathanial sat down, "There's one in the hall, Mr. O'Conall, and, yes, you are." Faelen and Liam snorted in laughter.

Liam smiled, "He takes after his grandfather, Lowell was one handsome devil. I am pleased to say it is a trait shared by most of his descendants." He smiled at Faelen and took his paw in his own. Den blushed, he obviously thought no one would hear him.

Garret groaned, "Please. Now, this was the Children's Services Department, right? Marcia Banks? Why the rush?"

Nathanial glanced around, "She wants to check to see how advanced my magic is. She'll probably get around to testing you two, too, so remember that it's Mage magic they're testing, not Fey, Micah. There was a note on my file that she found, probably referring to all the stuff I've been doing that Liam says violates the rules of magic, as they know them. She read it and suddenly said that someone will pick me up tomorrow evening and teleport me over there. It sounds odd, if this is like any government job, the offices close at five. At five-thirty Eastern, the offices will probably be empty, so are they staying overtime to test me?"

Liam clicked his chopsticks at Nathanial, "I do not like this. It is a pity one of us cannot accompany you, but Spirits would not be welcome, as if one would be willing or permitted to accompany you. I would not be permitted either, as I am not magical, nor would I be welcome as a Monk, and I will not disclose my identity as an Ancient One on a merely disquieting suspicion. They may very well find your case to be so perplexing that they are willing to pay overtime and put in overtime to satisfy their curiosity. As with Agent Jay, there are many Mages who will do much to solve a mystery."

Nathanial smiled, "How would they keep me if they meant me harm? If there was trouble I couldn't escape on my own, Snow could fetch one of you easily or just take me with him, and nothing can keep him away from me."

Den cocked his head to the side, "Who's Snow?" Snow walked in from the hall and sat beside Nathanial, "Artemis' bow! That's a bloody big dog! Don't tell me that's Snow!?" Snow made a quiet 'woof', Nathanial could tell he was pleased and amused. He picked up a spring roll and began breaking it into small chunks to feed to Snow, warning him about the potentially sharp edges on the deep-fried wrapper.

Snow muttered as he ate, *It is tasty, the crunchy exterior leaves an unpleasant film in our mouth, but it sounds satisfying as we chew. The interior is an interesting flavour and texture.*

"The film is the oil, do you want to try anything else?" Nathanial passed him another piece of roll.

Liam sighed, "It does sound satisfying, many foods are made to be crunchy for the auditory pleasure, along with the tactile. Would you consent to remain by my side tomorrow evening, in the unlikely event Nathanial requires assistance?" Snow was carefully chewing his next bite of food, so he merely nodded to Liam. "You have my gratitude."

Den looked across the table at Snow, even seated Snow's head was above the edge of the table, "Um, he can talk? Magically, I guess? He's intelligent? What is he?"

Liam smiled, "He is Snow. An entity from the Elemental Plane of Darkness, heretofore an unknown type of entity, at least to the Society. Nathanial has called them 'shadow mastiffs', a name that seems to fit. He is sentient, but his frame of reference is sufficiently different from ours that there are times where miscommunications and difficulty understanding one another occur."

Den nodded, "Huh, yeah, I can see where the pup could be an advantage to the Clan, if he can make friends with people like this, even across planes. Knights, Society Mages, Ancient Ones, Spirits, bloody space dogs, and, what, Fey, too?"

Nathanial nodded as Snow huffed, *We are not 'space dogs'. The nerve.*

Liam chuckled, "Snow has said he is not a 'space dog', I would agree on the single basis that he still requires air to survive, even if he no longer requires food. He did not appreciate the misnomer, Den."

"Sorry, Poppy, uh, Snow, I guess. Why Snow? Is it supposed to be ironic, or something? It's not a very suitable name."

Nathanial blushed, "I, heh, needed a name and it was the first one that popped in my head. It's the name of a hot guy in the game I'm playing, a big protector type guy. If he doesn't like it, I'll change it."

*We care not about names, we don't understand them. When you think 'snow', there are many thoughts that appear into your mind, one is not us or this other 'Snow'. It's soft and white, what is this 'snow'?*

Liam raised an eyebrow and the corner of his muzzle quirked up into a tiny smile, "All yours, Nathanial." Nathanial sighed as he tried to explain it.

Den smiled at Garret, "So a nymph, huh? Was she as good as they say? I guess your pups get their xenophilia honestly."

Nicholas tilted his head, "Eh? Xenophilia? Does that have anything to do with xenophobia?"

Garret grimaced, "Antonym. Someone who loves aliens or foreign things."

He was about to continue but Micah perked up and exclaimed, "I love foreign things! Well, not-foreign things, too. Just about any dick, I guess. Not that I've been allowed to try many, just one foreign one, and only to suck on." He pouted.

Garret sighed and looked beseechingly at Den then to the ceiling, "Hera help me." He turned to Micah, "I wasn't talking about penises, though that is partly related. Xenophilia covers both sexual and cultural matters, really any matter that can be considered 'foreign' or 'alien'." He addressed Den, again, "No, I never knowingly had sex with a Fey; she was disguised at the time, I couldn't even tell you who she was disguised as. I'd never have considered it had I known. I hate the Society, but I obey the rules, and until recently I hated everything about the Hidden World. Mating with a Fey is a sure way of getting into trouble."

Den shook his head, "And having a gay romance with a Spirit isn't?"

Garret raised his paws in surrender, "Don't talk to me about it, I'm not going to try to stop them. If they're willing to face the consequences, I'll offer what support I can, including leaving the Society and joining the Monks. It's not like we've received overwhelming support from the Society during all the troubles we've been having with the Hunters. It wasn't until after my wife died and we had a dozen Hunter corpses around the property that they showed up the first time, and that was after reporting two Demon attacks."

Den sighed, "Yeah, I heard about those from Conor, he briefed the Alpha on it. I'm sure he kept some details back, but I heard enough to piss me off. How can they expect us to have confidence in them when they can't protect their own?"

Dirk shook his head, "They don't care, Da. As long as we don't make a fuss and threaten their dominance, they don't care. So, how does the food rate?"

Den grinned widely, lowering a piece of gai lan he was about to eat, "It's great! I can't believe I ever thought you were a good cook when a pup half your age can cook like this. My report will contain glowing praise for his inclusion." He frowned, "So, Poppy, I don't think I've ever had your cooking. How does it compare to your food?"

Liam poked at his rice with his chopsticks, his voice was quiet, "I... cannot cook, Den. It is not something I have ever learned." He sighed and raised his voice to conversational levels, "Dad is a very good baker, and a good cook; it just seems that in each life there are those around me that are better at it, or that my life does not contain opportunities to learn."

Den smiled, "I think that's the first time I heard you admit you didn't know something like this, or that you couldn't do something. You always seemed to be... capable of doing anything, and knew everything."

Liam blushed, his eyes were fixed on his food as his ears flattened against his head in shame. Faelen leaned over to rub his head against Liam's and took his paw in his own, "He has me, now, Poppy. I'll teach him if he wants to know how, or I'll cook for him for the rest of time. He doesn't need to. I love him, and that love doesn't require him to be omniscient. I'll make up for what he lacks, and he'll do the same for me." Faelen nibbled on Liam's flattened ear, as the young rottweiler smiled slightly.

Den coughed, ashamed, "Sorry, Poppy, I didn't mean to sound like that. It's just... I was a pup, I worshiped you, it's funny to find out you were... like everyone else, I guess. Well, not a Spirit, or even really like everyone else, since you're an Ancient One, but, well, not... um."

Liam sighed, "Not a god. Different, but still a person. With my own strengths and weaknesses. In every life I was born into a situation where I did not need to learn housekeeping duties, and as I grew I still did not need to, more so as my status as an Ancient One became revealed. The thought of one such as me having to cook or sew seems to offend many. Should you ask Si Fu Jim DeKou for his thoughts on me mending clothing, you would find a standard reaction to the subject. Si Fu DeKou is one of the instructors I had selected to train the Marks, he is aware of my nature."

Walter rubbed Liam's shoulder, "You don't need to be ashamed about not knowing something, Son; you don't need to feel like you have to explain it, either."

Liam's smile seemed a little sarcastic, "That is true, yet wrong. When it is known that one is an Ancient One, the default mindset is that the person is nearly all knowing and capable of all things known to be possible, along with many things known to be impossible. To be an Ancient One and to admit you do not know such common skills, it is tantamount to admitting to be inherently and deeply flawed, to be a fraud. The disappointment and disgust I have been presented with is... hurtful. It is ironic as not even a true god is omniscient; I would be surprised to find Hades was an accomplished chef or that Zeus knit scarves in his spare time."

Nathanial lifted his head, he'd just put a plate with several small piles of food on the floor for Snow, who seemed less keen about his name, now. "Oh, scarves, that reminds me, do you have boots?" He addressed Geoff, but looked around, "Um, that's you as in all of the Spirits here."

Conor frowned, "No, why? We're used to a little cold, not Poland cold, but this isn't supposed to be a harsh climate, either."

Garret smiled grimly, "It's not the cold, it's the slush. We freeze and thaw a lot, and the slush that forms can cause frostbite very easily when it sticks to your hindpaws. Even huskies and arctic foxes wear boots when there's slush around. If it's too cold for slush most of us don't wear them, but in the thaws everyone does. You should get a good rug for just inside the door, and a small tray of warm water to keep there, too. To clean the ice and mud off."

Dirk nodded, "I'll steal one of the local pups and go shopping one day."

Liam sighed, "I could only say what Dad has, it is one of the 'common knowledge' things I have never learned. I really should inquire about such things more often."

Nathanial glanced at Nicholas out of the corner of his eyes, "Well, I'll likely have to go shopping for things before long, like new boots for my brothers, I could take Faelen and Geoff along, too. Or we could just meet at a location and all go together. You still have good boots, Dad?" Garret nodded, "Then, Friday?" Nathanial frowned, "Well, I'll have to play it by ear. I don't know what's going on with the Society or the job shadow. We'll get it done before winter." Nathanial looked at Nicholas and Micah, "I should drop your boots off at a charity centre, I heard ads for a few that are asking for boots. Yours are too small, so are mine, but they're in good condition. No sense in letting them gather dust in a closet."

Geoff's ears perked up, "Can we go skiing? Do you have ski hills here? It sounds like fun. I enjoy skating, too. Cork falls below freezing, but the average temperature is a little above zero even in January, so nothing stays and we don't get piles of slush. We never get enough to ski on or have outdoor rinks. Farther north we do, but we still haven't gone."

Garret looked at his pups, "What about you? We can book time at Wentworth for a few weekends, maybe think about going to Whistler or something over the winter holidays if you all like it." He addressed Conor, "Wentworth is a ski hill in Nova Scotia, it's... an hour and a half away, I think? Close to New Brunswick, so we may want to get rooms there and over night it. Don't expect world class skiing, but it's decent and it'll let them know if they enjoy it before looking at going to some place better." Nathanial noticed Garret's eyes twitched toward Liam before adding, "It's my treat. Oh, Sensei, Walter, would you two want to join us? The offer includes you, too. This is looking more to late November or maybe even mid-December, Geoff." Geoff was starting to look very excited, so was Nicholas.

Conor smiled, "I've never cared for skiing, but I know Dirk does. I'll borrow Faeden from Da and Dirk can go with you, if I decide not to go." He paused, "Speaking of going. I need to borrow Nathanial this weekend. The teleporter is doing strange things, it's drained Faelen and Faeden the last time they went through, enough that Faelen fell over and they both seemed to have trouble seeing. I want to fly Nathanial out to take a look at our end of it."

Garret frowned, "He's been missing a lot of school, but I guess he'd have more than enough time to study on the plane. It sounds serious, but shouldn't the Mage that made it be looking at it?"

Conor scowled, "Heh, if I trusted him any more, yes. Nathanial found some suspicious things in the spell work that makes me think this might be intentional."

Nathanial ducked his head, blushing a little, "Well, do I have to fly? Just get Mrs. McDougal to call and I can peek through the phone and open a portal. If I know where I'm going I can't see a problem in making a portal there, it can't be any harder than a transplanar portal. If Mr. O'Conall wants to go home, but doesn't want to use the teleporter, I can make one for him any time." A thought popped into his head and his stomach rolled, "W-would I be meeting Geoff's grandfather? Um, th-the Alpha?" He put his chopsticks down, they rattled as his paw shook a little. Geoff looked just as sick as he took and held Nathanial's paw, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. Nathanial felt his stomach settle a little, and smiled weakly at Geoff.

Conor pressed his finger tips together in front of his nose as he peered at the pups, "Yes. Once Geoff talks to him, and the storm blows over. You will be talking to him while you're there, we don't have the luxury of keeping this from him, not with all the other potential sources of mayhem that recently came up. Sensei will have to meet him, too." Liam took Faelen's paw in his and nodded.

Garret sighed, he looked at Nathanial sympathetically, "Yeah, he can go to Ireland. Just... don't let him get hurt or start some sort of international incident." Nathanial nodded, and they continued supper, making a point of keeping the conversation a little lighter.