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Chapter 99: The Mushroom and The Rose

Nathanial jumped up from the mats in the gym, all other thoughts driven from his mind by the sight of tears running down his baby brother's face. Micah was in his room with Fellwedyr Tharkolys (his Fey grandfather), and he was clutching his stuffed Goomba. The silver-haired, elven-looking Fey looked stern, with his thin lips set and his nose and ears held perfectly still -- Nathanial wasn't even sure if the latter two could move. His lack of a tail also hid any emotional cues that one would normally reveal.

Micah sniffled and held the plush toy out to his grandfather, who just stood there watching his grandson. "Here. I want you to have this. I..." The little black and white Akita paused to sniffle. "I'm sorry -- oops, no sorries...um, I..." He took a deep breath and began to recite an obviously prepared speech. "I deeply regret my ignorance, grandfather, in our customs as Fey. I should have known, or asked, about gifts and, um, learnt that I needed to repay you for everything you've given me and done for me. Conor told me to give you something that means a lot to me, or make something that should be equal value to what I received. I can't. There's nothing," sniff, "there's nothing I can do to pay you back." He seemed to finish his prepared portion and exclaimed, "I'm sorry! I can only give you the best thing I got! P-Please, take my Goomba. Nats gave it to me a few weeks after I found out you were my grandfather, when I was really upset and afraid they'd find out I'm a Changeling and hate me for it. He..." Micah sniffled and swallowed heavily a few times, obviously having trouble talking. "He was hurting so much, I..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I was afraid for him."

Liam put his paw on Nathanial's arm, concerned. "Nathanial? What is wrong?"

Nathanial waved him off, shushing his friend while he listened in with tears running down his own face to match his baby brother's.

"I didn't know why Nats was so sad, and in my own pain I didn't ask. I-I failed him!" Micah pulled the toy back to his chest, sobbing. "I was so afraid for me that even though I could see him hurting so badly it was scary, I couldn't help him! He-He still knew something was wrong, and he made me this, with his own paws. Even when his arm got broke, he still worked on it. When-When he found it hard to move, he still helped me with my homework, made me breakfast. He's always been there, no matter what he was going through...like now. It's why I named this my Nats Goomba, because Nats is better than super, or anything else." He thrust the mushroom toward his patiently waiting grandfather. "It's my treasure and I want you to have it."

The tall Fey stepped forward and took it, then drew a small vial from his belt pouch and collected a few tears from his confused grandson's cheeks. "These tears thou hast shed on thy brother's and mine own behalves are of sufficient trade, dear Grandson, yet the custom of the Fey dictates I accept thy gift. Those same customs also state that I may not return thy gift, for a gift given may never be reclaimed. Thou hast given thy treasure away needlessly -- and in haste -- for all time. Why hast thou not asked about my wishes? Thou'rt a child; thou art not bound by the same customs as an adult. Thy smile and the time I spent with thee, that was thy gift to me. I was honour-bound to give gifts to thee to abate my debt. Hadst thou incurred debt, I would have informed thee, as is my duty." Fellwedyr knelt and pulled Micah to his chest. "Despair not. Perhaps one who is aware of this event -- who is not bound by the customs of the Fey -- can ransom thy treasure for thee. He would have to give a gift of equal value: one given in love, received in blood, and growing in sweetness and life in the face of death."

Nathanial ran toward the kitchen with Liam hot on his tail. 'Well, that was a rather specific "hint." Why does he want one of my roses?' He skidded to a stop by the counter in front of the dozen roses he got from Geoff. He smiled softly despite his teary eyes -- they looked almost as fresh as the day they were cut, and their sweet scent filled the kitchen. The petals had a little black along the edges, but no signs of wilt, and the centre of each rose seemed to twinkle like light-catching dewdrops. He picked out two, grunting in surprise when he pricked himself again on some thorns, and watched another drop of blood fall into the water. "I know Geoff and I got all of these. Are they regrowing these stupid thorns?" He looked closely and, yup, the thorns were narrow, but fairly long and extremely sharp. He somehow managed to slice open a fairly deep gash on one of the sharp points. Each rose was also growing a root ball at the base of the stem and had some leaf buds starting to form.

Liam looked at him in askance. "Will you explain what the problem is now? You may also note that it is highly improbable that your roses should be growing in such a manner. I would recommend you plant them and see what develops."

"These two are gifts for Micah's grandfather." He turned and ran back downstairs, with Liam following. Fellwedyr was hugging Micah closely, letting his grandson cry on his shoulder. Nathanial paused by the door and knocked.

Micah lifted his head, sniffling. "C-Come in."

Nathanial opened the door and walked in, some tears still shining on his cheeks. "Hi, Mike. Um, gr-greetings, Fellwedyr Tharkolys. Be welcome in my home; may the leaves provide you shade and the water quench your thirst." He hoped he got that right; he really didn't know many Fey greetings.

The silver eyes seemed to twinkle in amusement as he seemed to search Nathanial's face. Those pupil-less eyes really didn't give much indication where he was looking. He let Micah go and stood up facing Nathanial, the Goomba held tenderly in the crook of one arm. "Thy welcome is received with gratitude, though that greeting is for strangers, not kin."

Nathanial's face burned underneath his fur; he'd just screwed up royally. He was going to be in so much trouble. "I-I'm sorry! I-I really didn't mean to offend--"

Liam poked him in the side, making Nathanial squawk in surprise. "Shush, Nathanial. He is not displeased with you; the attempt is more important than being correct. You tried to make him welcome and did not err through carelessness or contempt." Liam bowed his head to the Fey. "I stand before you once more, Knight of the Seelie Court, and greet you beneath sun and tree... " He glanced around at the walls in amusement. "...so to speak."

Fellwedyr bowed a little more deeply than Liam did. "I see thee, Master Smith, and greet thee before leaf and stone. Thou lookest to be in greater health than last we met." He turned to Nathanial. "Kin, perhaps thou may provide me with aid? I seek a gift for my Lady, one of great beauty and sweet scent. Wouldst thou know where such a thing may be found?"

Nathanial hid a smile. "Yes, sir. I happen to have two roses here that I can give you; I offer this one in thanks for caring for my brother while I was wrapped up in despair and couldn't be there for him like he deserved." He found his eyes overflowing with tears again and noticed Micah was crying again, too. "He's a better brother than I could have ever hoped for, and being there for him when I couldn't means the world to me." He held both roses out, mindful of the thorns. "The other I offer to you as a gift for your Lady."

Fellwedyr began to reach for them, but paused with a faint flicker of surprise and -- fear? -- in his eyes. "Thine kindness is beyond the kindness given. I wouldst offer this toy, which was given to me a short time ago but is of tremendous emotional value, as a small gesture of gratitude. However, I...would ask that thou clean the blood from the roses with great care."

Nathanial's tail curled up between his legs. "I-I picked them up too quickly; I didn't realize the thorns grew back. I was in a hurry to bring them down and forgot to clean the blood off. I hope I didn't offend you." He carefully wiped the blood off with the pad of a finger.

The Fey still seemed leery. "With water, if thou pleaseth, such that not a trace of blood may remain."

Nathanial was really confused now. "Um, okay. I-Is Mage blood offensive to Fey? I-I don't want to m-make you mad." He backed out of the room.

Fellwedyr almost looked uncomfortable, if Nathanial was reading him correctly, and it seemed Liam and Micah were just as confused as Nathanial was. The Fey hesitated before saying, "Nay, naught but Demon blood is offensive, and that is only at times, for at others it is desired. Thy blood is of a type that may trigger a...reaction if introduced to the wound of an immortal or near-immortal like a Fey. 'Twould be a risk I wouldst avoid."

"Uummm...okay." Nathanial quickly ran to the bathroom and washed the blood off in the bathroom and returned with them in his uninjured paw. "I hope they're safe now. Is my blood...odd, or something? Or is it a Marks thing, the way our blood is resistant to the Taint?"

"'Tis a thing I am not at liberty to discuss. I should have kept silent on this matter, even had I placed myself at risk. I place myself deeper in thy debt and ask that thee, all of you--" He nodded to Liam and Micah, too. "--speak to no one of my indiscretion." He bowed to Nathanial and took the roses before passing the plush toy to him. All three Dogs nodded and murmured their promise to keep silent. Fellwedyr pulled the vial of tears out and showed it to Micah. "I have collected some of thy tears, Grandson. I shall provide a commensurate gift in due course; thy tears shed in love for thy brother and myself are as jewels. Thou hast placed me in thy debt beyond hope of redemption today." He smiled -- a full, genuine smile -- as he placed his hand on Micah's head. "I, mayhap, be speaking in poetic terms, for hope shall never truly be lost when speaking to kin, but I ask that thou speak to me before giving other gifts. Thy smile and thy tears carry greater value than thee might ken."

Micah sniffled and nodded. He managed to pull his eyes from Nathanial and the toy in his brother's arms to look his grandfather in the eyes and nod again. "Yes, Granddad, I'll remember. I didn't mean to make so much trouble for you."

"When trouble brings thee to me, 'tis a blessing in the guise of trouble. I have missed thee."

Nathanial glanced at Liam; he was standing near the door unobtrusively watching, with a faint but fond smile on his face. Nathanial turned to Micah. "Micah, I have something I want you to have back, again. I give it to you as your Mage brother, not a Fey, so no customs are violated and no rules are broken. And you are as much Mage as Fey, so you can accept it, if you choose. You belong to both kingdoms, and your family on each side love you. I love you."

He knelt by the bed where Micah sat and pulled his brother into a tight hug with the mushroom squished between them. He noticed they were both crying freely, so he gently picked a tear off each of their cheeks with his claws and turned to Fellwedyr with a timorous smile. "If tears shed in love are like jewels, you have a treasure right here." He quickly added, "As long as my tears aren't allergens."

Fellwedyr shook his head, making his long silver hair float up in delicate streamers momentarily. "Nay, they are not. If they wouldst be freely given, I would be honoured to accept them. I have become deeply immersed in debt today; it will not be forgotten." He collected the tears off Nathanial's claws and took a few more from a bemused Nathanial's cheeks. "I shall use some of thy tears to craft a gift for thee, but be mindful that time in Faery flows differently than in thy world. I cannot say when I shall return with it."

Nathanial shook his head with a smile and levitated a box of tissues over for Micah and himself. "That's fine. I don't expect a gift in return, but I understand it's your custom. The thought itself is appreciated. I've said this before, but I really mean it, being there for Micah -- helping him and teaching him -- is something that I can't say how much I appreciate. He loves learning magic from you and learning about his Fey heritage is very important." Nathanial felt his face get warm as he thought about some questions he'd meant to ask. "Um... Have you talked to him about...puberty? I don't know how it works for Fey, but his development and, um, really..." He took a deep breath, noticing Liam was trying not to laugh and Micah looked like he wanted to melt through the floor. Fellwedyr was unreadable. Nathanial just blurted it out, trying to get past his embarrassment. "His sexual appetite is incredible. He's insatiable! Is that normal for a Fey? Or for the son of a Nymph, anyway? He seems to be developing physically like a normal Mage, but this is worrying me."

Micah's tail was curled tightly between his legs, and he whimpered softly. Fellwedyr stepped toward Micah and Nathanial so he could rub Micah's head. The Fey shook his head. "I know not. When a Nymph has a child it is always a girl, always a Nymph. This is entirely new to me." He paused a moment. "It may be due to the difference in Nymphs and Mages; as a Nymph, Micah would be fully grown by now. They mature at an accelerated pace and spend their first few centuries seeking out sex at all times prior to choosing their home. That may be what drives my grandson's desires. Thou must be aware that a Nymph requires sex to live -- it is part of their nature. If Micah behaves as thou describe then it is likely true for him as well. Mages have drawn parallels between Succubae and Nymphs in the past, and there are superficial similarities, but the manner of the sexual act is the great difference. Nymphs seek the life-giving, caring, and creative aspect of sex, while Succubae seek the opposite. Nymphs gain sustenance from sex, Succubae gain magical power, though both can restore their bodies with this energy. Do not fear he may be the target of this Beriatana that attacked before -- Micah is immune to her charms and their needs would mean they couldn't help sate the other's hunger."

So Micah and Nick could only take the edge off the other's hunger, too. Well, they could take turns 'feeding' the other brother. At least Nathanial knew Micah wasn't, um, broken in some way. "Would putting Micah in Lily shortly after conception allow him to be male? Or can Nymphs choose which sperm fertilizes the egg and your daughter wanted him to be male? I guess that means Nymphs only want daughters and this was a very special case for some reason. Would you be able to ask, or is that something that is against your customs?"

Fellwedyr looked uncomfortable. "Nymphs care little for concepts like family. I have not seen Micah's grandmother since I impregnated her, and I have only seen my daughter rarely since I found her. She may not even remember that this has happened."

Micah looked heartbroken. "My mother mightn't remember...? Um, she didn't have me have me, but...well, she is kinda my mom. How could she forget me?"

The Fey sighed; he probably expected his answer might hurt Micah. "'Tis the nature of her kind, Micah. Thou cannot fault her for being what she is. If thou seek to spend any time in Faery thou hast to understand such things; each type of Fey has its own nature and must be true to it."

"I know. It still hurts."

Nathanial hugged him close. Micah had been abandoned by both of his mothers; even if he'd never met his biological mom, it would still feel like abandonment. "Hey, Sprite, I'm still here. I've been like your mom this long, I can probably keep it up for a little while yet."

Micah sniffled back some tears, but his tail began wagging a little. "Yeah, thanks."

Liam cleared his throat quietly. "I do not wish to interrupt, but I must be departing." He turned to Fellwedyr and began speaking in a language Nathanial didn't recognise.

Micah sounded a little awed as he whispered to his brother. "That's Fey! Sensei can speak Fey? Wow! I've been trying to learn for years."

Nathanial shook his head. "Well, he's had lots of years to learn it. I've said it before, but I can't say I'm surprised by anything he's able to do." Nathanial quickly sent his mind through the house; Nick wasn't home yet, and Garret was napping on the couch in the sitting room where Nathanial left him. "I should start my homework or get supper going soon. Remember, you need to do your homework, too. Just take a bit of time to calm down; this afternoon has been pretty emotional."

The Fey and Ancient One finished their conversation and, after a quick exchange of farewells, departed.

Micah grabbed his homework and joined Nathanial up in the kitchen. The elder Marks pup began bustling around as he prepared to start supper. He smiled at the ten remaining roses in their vase before his smile faltered. "How did he know about these? That I cut myself on the thorns when Geoff gave them to me? How did he know that they were growing rather than dying off? I didn't know that." He looked more closely at the black part of the petals; they weren't black from decay; they were actually turning reddish-black but remained perfectly healthy as far as he could tell.

Micah shrugged and began doodling in the margins of his scribbler, his science one, from the looks of it. "He sees stuff I can't. He could probably see the blood on it. It sounds like our blood, all four of us, is pretty magical all on its own. I told him that Geoff gave them to you when we walked through the kitchen to go downstairs."

"Oh. Well, that makes sense. I can't really deny the part about out blood; we have enough people telling us it's different. From Nanny and Poppy, to Gordon, to Liam mentioning Dad's is different, too. Now I've just learnt my blood can trigger some sort of reaction in your grandfather, a pretty bad one, too, from the way he was acting."

Micah's ears flipped back and his eyes grew wide. "Wh-What would it do to me? Aren't I a near-immortal, too? I'm not as strong as Granddad, so if it makes him itchy and spotty, would it kill me? Or-Or give me a super-chicken-pox-from-Tartarus rash?" He shivered and reflexively began scratching. "Ugh!"

Nathanial paused in the process of filling up the kettle. Was Micah a near-immortal? Would he outlive Geoff? He'd almost forgotten that Fellwedyr said any immortal or near-immortal. 'What am I? Why would my blood do that?' He shook his head. That was ridiculous, it must be a Marks thing, and Micah didn't get the Taint resistance just like his other grandfather, Wallace Marks, expected. Of course that raised other questions, too, like what was in their blood that would give that resistance and cause an allergic reaction in a Fey.

He shook his head again. It didn't really matter. He filled up the kettle, turned it on, and then moved around the counter to scratch Micah's back. "Hey, you've come into contact with my blood before, Nick's too. You're a Marks, Micah. Even if your blood isn't dangerous to your grandfather you should be immune to any effects from mine. It's probably just something to do with our resistance; if you have it too, your Fey blood probably makes you safe for him; if you don't then your Mage blood probably protects you from the effects of ours. Either way, your heritage protects you and those around you."

Micah perked up happily and pushed back into Nathanial's claws. "Ooh, scratch a little lower. Thanks, Nats. You always seem to know how to make me feel better."

"It's because you're naturally a cheerful person, Sprite." He nipped his brother's ear, making the pup giggle. "That, and I love you, so I try very hard to make sure you stay happy."

Micah turned around and hugged him. "I love you, too, Nats." His eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you for getting my Goomba back."

"Shh." Nathanial gently rubbed away a tear as it spilled onto the white fur below Micah's eyes. "I didn't know how much it means to you. I'm glad your grandfather was willing to let me know what he wanted in return for it." Nathanial sighed. "He's really raised a lot of questions today. So did Mr. Doull. What a frustrating afternoon. Well, time for that later." The kettle whistled, waking their father up. Nathanial put a pot of soothing tisane on, then called over to Garret. "I just put a pot of Sensei's tea on. Would you rather have coffee? How do you feel?"

Garret grumbled and climbed off the couch. His spine popped as he stretched out some kinks. "Gods." He yawned mightily. "Better. If it's that soothing stuff, I'll take the tea." He stumbled into the kitchen with the fur on the left side of his face flattened in spots and sticking up at odd angles in others. "What was the gym guy's name? Piper?"

"Jake Piper, yes, Dad. I have his number on the computer there." He pointed to the computer he kept his recipes and kitchen inventory on, then called it up by using magic to press a few buttons. "Shouldn't you get in contact with the Halifax Clan, first? That is, if you want to donate everything in there to them."

Micah piped up. "Why? Donate what? Are we building a sauna or something to go with the gym? Someplace all hot where people get naked and have lots of sex in? I need some sex."

Garret sighed and plunked down onto the stool by Micah. "No. And go jerk off if you're horny; I'm not helping you. Lily's office is what we're talking about...and on that subject, you are not allowed up there, no matter what. And neither is Nick. Stay out." He turned to Nathanial. "He'll have a waiting list. The sooner we call him the sooner we can get that place torn apart."

"What will be done with it? If we get the carpet torn out and replaced with something else, the walls painted, and new furniture, well, what do we need him for? I could get Geoff and Faelen to rip out the carpet after the furniture's gone. With that out of there I could probably do everything else myself."

Garret looked unconvinced. "Yeah? You have trouble climbing the stairs and you can't see her office from there. I really doubt just ripping up a bit of carpet is going to help. It'll help me, but I think I should find someone for you to talk to. Anyone would need help healing after that."

Nathanial looked down at the counter and picked at an imaginary spot for a second before looking up to meet his father's eyes. His voice was quiet. "When are you going? Anyone would need help healing after what you went through, too."

Garret's eyes narrowed. "Mind your own business. I've dealt with it on my own."

Micah flinched away from the harsh tone, making Nathanial's eyes narrow, too. The elder pup shook his head, not willing to give up so easily. "Really? You've 'dealt with it,' eh? You found that room just as hard to be in as I did and you weren't beaten to within an inch of your life there." Micah whined and climbed onto the counter, knocking books aside, to wrap his arms around Nathanial's neck; he probably shouldn't have said that with him there. "Sorry, Sprite." He softened his tone and took Garret's clenched fist in his paw. He noticed the mere reference of his father's reaction in the office was making him look ill. "You are my business, Dad. I want you to be healthy, just like you want that for me." Garret turned his paw in Nathanial's so he could clasp it firmly; Nathanial gave it a loving squeeze. "I love you, Dad. I never stopped, even when you were gone."

Garret sighed in defeat. "Fine." He smiled wanly; his blue eyes looked a little misty. "I'll set something up for both of us, then." He shook Nathanial's paw and let it go. "Speaking of setting up, we have kung fu at seven. We should think about food; I'm feeling well enough to eat." He rubbed Micah's head. "It looks like you have some homework to do if you're coming with me, Micah."

Micah nodded. "Yup, it's easy stuff. We just finished static electricity, which was really fun, and now we're starting on circuits. Can I do my homework here while Nats makes supper?"

Nathanial poured the tea and gave a cup to Garret. He looked at his brother. "You get distracted very easily, Micah. You know you'll get sent downstairs if you don't focus." Micah nodded, so Nathanial turned to his father. "I'll be working on my homework, too. You can stay to keep us company if you aren't a nuisance. Micah learns better by talking through things; why don't you help him?"

Micah's tail started wagging fiercely enough to rock his stool a little. Garret laughed and steadied the pup. "Fine, fine! Yes, I'll help you study, Sprite."

Nathanial smiled fondly and sent a text to Nick reminding him about kung fu and his homework, before he worked on his own while making supper.

---

Geoff was pacing around the kitchen, wondering what the hells was taking his da so long. He'd called over a half-hour ago to say he was on his way, but they still hadn't shown up. Did Nathanial get into a fight with the alpha? Were the Hunters after his pup again and launching a full scale attack against Nathanial's home? That thought was almost funny, in a worrying way -- the shock those monsters would receive when four insanely powerful Spirits started fighting back when they just expected Nathanial. His chuckle made Faelen's ears twitch and look over.

"I was just thinking about Hunters attacking Nathanial." Faelen's shocked and confused face made Geoff laugh out loud. "No, no. Not like that. I was wondering where Da and everyone was, so I started thinking of Hunters...and how surprised they'd be if they ran into our das and granddas when they just expected Nathanial alone."

Faelen shook his head, chuckling, too. "That'd be a rude and very short lived surprise. Conor is almost as protective of Nathanial as you are, and Da would be almost as bad once Conor was threatened...not that seeing Hunters going after Nathanial wouldn't set him off anyway."

"I doubt our granddas would sit back, either." The image of that huge chunk of rock sitting in his front yard in Ireland, glowing red and steaming from the pressure the alpha put it under made him shiver. That power could probably rip up hundreds of meters of stone and flatten an army of Hunters under an avalanche.

Faelen's ears twitched. "They're here. Da is bringing up the bags, and Conor is showing the alpha around."

"I'll go downstairs and say hi. Is tea almost ready?"

Dirk popped into the kitchen before Faelen could answer. "Hey, Dark Master." He put a suitcase down and hugged Geoff with the now-free arm. He hugged Faelen, too, when his son came over to say hi. "Hi, Son. I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Da. What took so long?" Faelen moved back to the stove and began putting stuff into serving bowls.

Dirk sighed, and the pity in his expression when he looked at Geoff made the Elemental's blood run cold. Dirk shook his head as he began talking. "I'll let Conor answer that one. They'll be up soon. I need to put these bags away."

Geoff followed Dirk out of the kitchen but went toward the basement while the Bone Spirit went upstairs. He reached the top of the stairs just as Conor led the other three adults onto the landing by the front door. The three saw Geoff and the same expression that was on Dirk's face crossed theirs. Geoff was really worried now. "Wh-What happened!? Is he all right!?"

Conor looked confused for a split second before he smiled. "Yes, Nathanial will be fine. We just had a tour of their house -- most of it -- before we reached Lily's former office." He shot a dirty look at the alpha. "Someone was being a bull-headed ass and pushed Nathanial into going somewhere he didn't want to go. Actually, he didn't want to go above the main floor at all."

Grandda Luke hung his head for a moment before angrily snapping at Conor, "How the hells was I supposed to know it was..." He struggled for words for a moment before growling, "...that? I was trying to toughen the pup up, get him to grow a spine, but...gods. I didn't think anyone could do that to a pup."

Geoff felt himself tense up even more. "He's all right, though? You didn't hurt him?" He needed to go see him, make sure his pup was safe and sound. Den edged over to stand directly in front of the door.

Conor trotted up the stairs to put his arm around Geoff. "Nathanial seemed fine when we left; Da didn't hurt him. He calmed down after we brought him to the ground floor and was acting the way he normally does -- puttering around the kitchen and making sure everyone was taken care of."

The alpha followed Conor up the stairs and wandered into the front room. "Decent place, here. I like the open format, makes it seem bigger, less cramped. I feel like I take up the entire room -- any room -- at home."

Den chuckled as he followed Grandda up. He stopped on the top stair with a glance at Geoff, blocking the way down but still able to watch the area. "You do take up all the space in each room. It's why I habitually move to the corner every time I walk into one; that's the only place I'm able to fit."

The Earth Elemental snorted and looked back before he peeked around the corner toward the billiard room. "Says the guy blocking the stairwell. If you haunt the corners, Faeden, then why the hells do I keep bumping into you every time I turn around?" He didn't wait for an answer. "A billiard room? Nice. I should tear down my house and get a proper one built. That place was old when Grandda Ruarc was a pup. Even after remodelling it last century and doing more work a few decades ago, the place is drafty, cramped, and a pain in the arse. Lots of character, though." He chuckled. "Lowell certainly surprised me with all those secret cubby-holes he pointed out; never did finish that tour. There'll still be lots of whiskey to find." He licked his chops and moved around the corner. Faeden shook his head and hastened after his boss.

Conor sighed. "Nathanial is doing all right, Geoff. Don't worry." He muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Geoff. "I'm just glad Lily is dead; that bitch deserved to die a much more horrible death than she got." Conor hastened after his father to leave Geoff gaping after him.

Geoff recovered once his da rounded the corner, then wandered back into the kitchen. "Da just called Lily Marks a bitch and said he's glad she's dead." Faelen stared at him before cursing and putting a hot bowl down on the counter, then shaking his paws. Geoff trotted over and grabbed some oven mitts. He put them on and helped Faelen bring the food out to the table. "I've never heard Da talk about someone like that. They saw her office, and I guess they didn't like what was there. Nathanial was really shook up, from the sounds of it."

"I heard that part, Geoff. I don't doubt he was shook up. He smells terrified and like he's in a lot of pain just about every time it comes up." They walked back into the kitchen for the second set of dishes when Dirk walked in. "Poor, sweet pup. He's been traumatized, and the office was probably where most of it happened."

Dirk nodded and started to help. "Judging from the amount of blood, I'd agree, Son. The carpet was soaked through, and the fucking bamboo stick she used -- the most recent one, according to the pup -- was embedded with bits of him. She should be thankful, wherever she is, that she's dead."

Geoff felt his stomach plunge and twist into a dozen knots. 'Embedded!? What the hells? What would she have had to do to make Da and Dirk talk like this?' Geoff didn't notice a whimper escaped from him until Faelen put his arm over his shoulders.

Dirk looked apologetic. "Sorry, I shouldn't talk like that. He's fine, Geoff. At least he is now." His paws were full so he bumped his muzzle against Geoff's head as he walked by. "Faelen, I'll be helping Nathanial tomorrow. He's planning on starting the cooking after school." He pushed through the swinging door into the dining room. Geoff followed with the stack of plates and began setting the table.

A few minutes later everyone was in the dining room and sat down at the alpha's direction. The large Wolf nodded to his son. "Nice place, Conor, but there's no way I'll fit on Gwen's bed. Pity the second floor is smaller than the first, but the balcony is nice. A few spare bedrooms would've made sense, though."

Conor nodded. "I agree, but it wasn't a major consideration. I wasn't expecting guests, and I wasn't expecting to stick around very long. I really would've been happier with a smaller house, except there weren't any for sale in an area where I could ensure some measure of privacy. I take it this means you want to take Garret up on his offer?"

The alpha chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Gwen's still a wisp of a thing, and her bed reflects it...and I think Geoff will appreciate the opportunity to give Nathanial some more McDougal cock -- even though his dick practically lives in the pup's ass."

Conor slammed his paw on the table. "Da!"

Geoff could feel his face burning and his tail wagging excitedly.