It was easy to feel his spirits being lifted by his young daughter's innocent exuberance. She gave him another reason to live, to keep the darkness that had once consumed him whole at bay - not that he was the most morally sound man in the world, but he now had two wolves to protect and care for instead of just one. He was pleased to see what she was well and that she wasn't traumatized completely or anything like that - his grin broadened as she started to speak, amusement shining in his eyes. "I missed you more," he challenged her with an air of seriousness. Somehow, he was certain that afraid for a parent was nowhere near as powerful as the fear felt like a father missing his daughter - he had felt that familiar sense of dread before and the grief had swallowed him entirely. He was glad that he didn't have to experience anything similar this time.
He chuckled as she nipped at his leg, attempting to scold him. He'd always had that sort of relationship with his kids, even his oldest litters - playful and friendly, and he took no offense to her attempts to make him act nicer. At least Caelestis thought Sparrow was nice, right? That was something. "She carried you all the way? She must be awfully tired then," he leaned to sneak in another nuzzle before his daughter dashed away to pounce at Sparrow's paw and then away again, butt wiggling as she all but begged them to play with her.
Sparrow didn't seem rattled by his slightly abrasive demeanor. Perhaps she was a parent herself, and knew how he might be feeling? Or maybe she just was a decent wolf - he had no idea what to think of her yet. She explained that she was aware of what had happened, that they were welcome here, either permanently or just temporarily. Honestly, he could think beyond tomorrow, so he simply nodded, offering a soft "Thanks." Over the years he had become a touch less refined in dealing with others, his sharp manner of speaking slowly morphing into something more sardonic rather than simply witty, and he thought it best now if he held his tongue. Caelum already was going to be in a foul mood with him, he was sure of it; he didn't want to make it any worse by mouthing off to the leader of the pack that had agreed to house them for now.
But, he couldn't stay totally silent. "The issue?" Zephyr nearly scoffed, sounding bewildered. "There's no issue to look in to!" Perhaps nobody else really knew what had happened - or rather, why it had happened? "Dragoste was taken over by a family called the Abraxas. Apparently they wish to conquer the whole fuc- damned world," he side-eyed Caelestis, correcting his word quickly, not wishing for her to pick up on his penchant for swearing even if he couldn't always help himself. "Apparently they killed Ganta, the leader, and intend to take other packs and lands by force if anyone puts up a fight." His shrug told a story that he didn't really care about any of it all that much, even if it'd be in his best interest to pretend he did. "But - enough of that. Let's go see mom," his gaze fell to Caelestis, that magical grin reappearing suddenly as he waited for her to lead the way.
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