long time coming

Seriousness would settle upon the man's features as he realized the true intent of his son's visit. His lips would tighten as he considered how he would respond to the young man's inquiries. He was somewhat surprised that Erebos still clung to their history, still misunderstood it. Yet at the same time Deteste realized there was no true way for him to know the truth of what was. You must know that you were born in the winter. Laxago and I had a litter of four. Only you and Marvo survived. It was a difficult winter and as I was the only one capable of hunting I could not keep the entire litter alive. he would begin. The reality of littering without the aid of a pack was a grim one. The roots of their misunderstandings had started at a the most humanizing basis. Food.

Your mother fell ill when she had your litter. She could not care for herself, much less for you or Marvo. You cannot imagine how difficult it was to prioritize time between someone as severly ill as your mother, and two growing children. When most of the time I had to be away seeking food and a place for us to live. Accompanied by an incapable mate and two young children we were not an appealing choice for packs and thus we were constantly turned away and had to move with our prey, and had to move to seek other packs for acceptance. But you must have been aware of all of that. What haunts you most is perhaps the lack of attention you received as a child. I realized the illnesses that ailed you but I just did not have the time to dedicate to you, or Marvo. Thus you both felt the need to fight one another for a surplus affection that did not really exist. I'm sorry that you children fell into his cycle of ill feelings but it was truly the best I could do. I loved you both, I still do today but I equalized by priorities with each of you, and each of you were lacking because of it. But I assure you no one, not even Laxago, had more attention than the other. Now I have no one but myself, Erebos. Each has pursued their own life. I would call that success in the face of such, complicated hardships. I only hope that you can understand and let it all go. For your own sake.

"Speech"