Level Up (MEETING)

Were his children all upset with him? He didn't doubt it one bit. He was hard on them for a reason, but he also very much loved them. He grew up with love, sure. But Acere's love was different. He didn't know how to replicate his uncle's love...after all, in the end, Ignis had turned on him. Maybe he was beyond saving. Maybe he always had been. Maybe things would've been different if Elias hadn't been his father. If his mother were still alive. Maybe if everything hadn't gone to shit with Ruina, his life would've been far, far different. Maybe he wouldn't have succumbed to the demons despite fighting against them for so long. Acere loved him, yes. But apparently it hadn't been enough. And now, he sat watching his kids and wondering if he was being too harsh. Sure they lost their first raid. That was to be expected, wasn't it? While part of him knew that, the other part of him felt like they could've done far better. Though perhaps it was his fault. Maybe he hadn't been training them enough. Maybe he had been neglecting their needs in favor of letting his own emotions come first. He often disappeared for a few days at a time as he tried to sort himself out. When the Demons came out...that was when he hid away to avoid hurting anyone that he had come to care for and respect.

He took a deep breath as Sparrow began to speak, and his gaze shifted from one kid to the next. How did she get to be so happy go lucky? How did she get to be so carefree and throw caution to the wind? Whatever problems she might have, hell if he'd know. Even the things with Hanako, she dealt with it and moved on. So why couldn't he just fucking move on from all his shit already? What was her secret? He inwardly groaned when he caught her gaze on him. A look that he was all too used to. Okay, so maybe he was being too hard on them...but what else was he to do? He didn't want them to go soft and let the world trample all over them. Fuck.

When Sparrow paused to let the Sins and Saints speak real quick, he briefly cleared his throat, though his body language betrayed he wasn't entirely sure what to say. "Er, yeah...you all did a good job, a bit more training and discipline and I'm sure you'll kick their asses next time." Was that good enough? Fuck if he knew. He remained quiet as the yearlings began to throw in suggestions for their next targets, and volunteering for scouting work. Was there someone he wanted to scout? Eh. Nobody in particular to be honest. Though there were a couple new packs that had sprung up recently, no? While he'd love to take another stab at Armada, he was sure the Northern pack would be ready for them this time around. "I agree on one of the north or eastern packs, barring Armada for now. The one weird pack in the West, And I think there's another pack in Auster that isn't the Hallows but," He shrugged. It didn't really matter to him.

"Speech"