Daddy Ain't at Home, No

@Vengeance @Edith also welcome if chan wants

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It hadn't been hard for him to find the scent, it was just as he thought. Edith had gone to look for their wayward father...or perhaps he had looked for them. Though he could only recall meeting the man once, never did he forget the smell of rot and blood that permeated his fur and the path he walked. Honestly, he had followed that scent more than his own sisters.

At first, he traveled quickly with a scrunched nose. Any time he stumbled upon a particularly strong scent made him reel back to resist the urge to vomit, but somewhere within the day or so's travel, he seemed to adjust, slightly if anything. He tried to be swift in his travels despite the unavoidable recoils. With one sibling gone it was only a matter of time before a mob formed once it was realized he too had left, though frankly, it had been a plan long time coming.

By the time he reached the dank shroud of northern woods, he could feel the weariness in his paws. Traveling was something he was used to but not at such lengths without rest or food. It was frustrating to admit so, at least to himself, but he would keep his head tall just as he was raised. He was almost positive this was the right place based on the reek, but his only experience with packs had been from his own...

He'd let loose a howl that seemed to echo even with his puppy vocals into the unsettling shadows. Was there something he was supposed to do or just wait around all day? He had never answered a call, nor had he really trailed to see what happened. Frankly, he didn't care and wolves just came and went so why bother interrogating their worth if they wouldn't stay?

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Luckily he wouldn't have to wait all that long. He may not be spoiled per say, but it was rare for him to have to wait for something or someone in the Crown. Already he recognized his father before the man left his mist. The stench crawled off him in tendrils bringing a grimace to his face. “Calhoun.” The boy answered easily despite his surprise.

For a man who never visited he thought he might not even be recognized, let alone his name remembered. “You remember us then?” His question wasn't pointed. Frankly he didn't care that his father lived elsewhere or that he knew little of him. It had never been stressed as a point to loathe him for his absence or that their family was...abnormal...but this was probably the least abnormal part of his family if anyone were to be honest.

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So Edith was here...and to think it was his idea to seek out their father yet she left without them! The boy scoffed under his breath hearing they had already been mentioned. “What did she say?” If she ran her mouth about them just to make herself look better she would have more problems on her paws than just their mother. They were supposed to be a team. Family.

What came next though made him openly laugh. “Take her back? No, I came to see you. Mother doesn't spare many details and frankly, I'm finding our teachings a tad...repetitive.” It was one way to put it at least. He held no ill towards the High Elk of course, but what Celnes said didn't always add up. @Cynefrid had opened a new set of doors about their dear religion and it seemed someone was changing a few rules.

For what reason he couldn't say, not with certainty at least, but he knew better to take every word offered on a shiny plate as the truth. “Remus has been training us, but lately, he's been more concerned with our younger siblings. I thought I'd find my own teacher if he was busy.” That and see what this magical other side was beyond the groves and forest, but it was less magical and more dark dank and nasty. Maybe their poor father had no access to a place to bathe.

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A nagging feeling chewed at the back of his mind at his father's response. It wasn't like Edith to mention them casually, if she had there was a reason, but it didn't seem he would be so eager to share what she had. No matter though, it seemed he was not against his curiosity. A brow would raise as ears perked to his expectations, “Why would I get special treatment?” It wasn't like he made a habit of visiting them. He didn't feel special, not to him, but he didn't seek his father's praise. Only the High Elk mattered in that regard.

“I want to know more and learn what I can't at home. That's it. I'm aware you probably don't have the same views or beliefs as us.” Unfortunate as it was, but Vengeance wouldn't have to spell it out for it to be clear to him. The way he held and carried himself was far different from what he knew from his mother. Speaking of family— Edith finally showed her face, but she seemed to linger at their father's side plagued with guilt. Maybe this was no brag then... She did feel bad about going ahead without telling them.

The young hunter would only stare with a twisted lip as he waited for Edith to explain further, “I could have told you that.” He thought it had been obvious to all three by now, but maybe that conversation had only passed @Warwick's ears. “Mother was in a frenzy when you were not in by nightfall. She went out to look but she seems slower lately. You know how she's been complaining about those bloating pains or whatever.” Frankly he just thought she was eating more than she needed lately considering she looked fatter and kept complaining. It was no wonder Edith slipped away without issue.

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The boy would only roll his eyes at his sister's dramatics. What would she possibly die from presently due to the lack of attention to be trained? Boredom? “You don't need to exaggerate to sell me. I came to learn as well.” As for Vengeance, well, he shrugged off his comment. As he said, he suspected as much even if it was unfortunate. Perhaps he would see the way of the High Elk one day, but attempting to cram it in their father's face seemed futile at the moment if he wished to learn what he wanted.

The High Elk would not fault him so long as his heart never wavered, he was sure of it. “I mean what I said. She's been eating too much, now she's getting fat and complains about it.” You would think if your body pained you for that long you would stop eating, but there were more than a few thoughts regarding his mother now circling his mind. While he still could not place it, he was no longer so quick to believe her word. She hid something, she had to be. Calhoun would only shrug as he tried to bring the conversation back once more, “It's stupid. Anywayyyys, I want a teacher. Will I find one here or will you send me home?”

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“As if I've ever cried.” Their younger siblings surely, but he had never shed a tear as far as his memories recalled. Edith wasn't happy with him she wouldn't need to say it with the look she wore on her face. The hunter would only lightly roll his eyes as he closed the gap to bump his side to hers before pressing on. “You heard him. What are you waiting for?” Not him. Calhoun would continue his pace into the mist, only pausing to spare a glance back at the warlord. As always, it seemed his interest laid elsewhere than the children he spawned, but he would shrug the thought as he continued his steps.

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