Shortly after settling back home, the Warlord made his way to Valta. It was strange, to head to lands that had belonged to Theory in search instead of his son’s pack. He did not know if any had heard from the Destruction Alpha since her disappearance. It was as if life had moved on without her. The thought left him with a pang, and he smothered it instead with pride for Ko. who had fulfilled his dream and built his own pack. He stopped at the borders, letting out a call for the Alpha before taking a seat, and waiting for his son to arrive. Ko had never been a terribly emotional wolf, but it would still not be easy, knowing he would search for signs of mourning the moment his son appeared. "Speech"

Kotori’s first time hearing of a family member dying had been his mother but, that had been when he was a child and later learned she hadn’t died after all.  More than the remembrance of her presumed passing did he remember the assumed-dead return alive.  Some of his siblings had been overjoyed at their mom’s return and, that certainly was a natural thing.  Kotori had just felt confused and awkward by it then, leaving an emotional gap between himself and his mom.  

Kotori had been setting up a pelt to tan, its ends stretched between tree branches to the ground.  He gave a cursory glance to make sure Fang had got the last rope tight enough before loping to where his father was waiting.  As sure as Sirius wondered how his son was managing Kotori was more curious of how his father was holding together.  His gaze swept over his dad for signs of how much stress he was under, wondering the reason for the call.

“Dad,” Just one word but it was said with sincere gladness to see his father show up.  “I hadn’t expected to see you here now but, it’s good to see you.”  The cheer hesitated for a moment to add a bit of concern, “how are you doing?”  Any emotions Kotori felt to his mom’s death were things that would seemingly be kept to himself as there was no sign of grief on him.  

"Kotori Fatalis"

The Warlord took a deep breath, bracing himself for the appearance of his son. He wasn’t sure what to expect of Kotori, but Azure had already surprised him. The compassion his his brisk son had almost been his undoing, and he found himself weary on how Kotori might approach him. When his son appeared, it was to stop before him. Sincerity in his voice, a surprising amount for a single word. “It’s good to see you, too” He said, inspecting Kotori for signs of wear. “I’m… getting by. I’m heading back to the Armada, and taking back the Warlord position. The pack has a lot to do” his mouth twisted in a grimace. “The loss to the pirates told us how lax our wolves have gotten” both seemed careful not to mention Zee. “With that in mind, I was wondering if you would spare me Mortis to start up some training courses” Ko was likely familiar with the Warlord, moving about wolves to where they were needed. He had sent Ko himself to Ashen at one point. "Speech"

Dad was going to take back leadership of the Armada?  Kotori had imagined his father would end up taking more time to get past the pain he would be feeling over losing mom.  Last time it had been obvious how much it had pained him.  Surprised as he was Kotori expected it would be good for him to have something to focus on.  Training a bunch of lazy wolves made sense for a handy goal.

At the mention of losing to the pirates Kotori’s brows rose up, wondering if he should be disgusted at how much wolves had slouched off at the Armada or impressed by the pirates being better than he had expected.  Maybe somewhere in the middle?  The horned male grinned at his father, “next time they come knocking tell them to come to my doorstep instead.  I’d be happy to rip into a few myself.”  

This was one of those moments Kotori enjoyed having his own pack.  Making decisions on who stayed or left and what was offered to other packs was Kotori’s decision.  Kotori would probably get past enjoying this notion and find it common farther down the line but this was his first time to have anyone ask something of this pack.  Ignore Mort had come from the Armada to begin with.  “Hmmm, I don’t know,” Kotori mused this over thoughtfully.  “You know you are asking for my master fighters.”  What fun did he want to have with dad on this?  

“I tell you what,” Kotori grinned as he came to a decision.  “I won’t make you go hunting down bees.” Sirius could wonder if his son had actually considered that!  “How long would you want Mort for?  We can spar and if you win, then you can ask Mort if he’ll go back with you for a time period we agree on.”  This was for Kotori’s fun but it would also be good for his dad.  When Kotori was upset fighting was a great way to vent.  If the cost of calming was just a bit of blood, well, he had plenty of it.  

"Kotori Fatalis"

“I know you would” Sirius agreed with a wry smile. The strength of the Armada had spread out a little lately. With Kotori, Mortis, and Briar leaving the pack to find their own places. There were others in the pack that had their strengths, but many still that needed further training to hit their best. Which is why he had come here in the first place. At Kotori’s words, the Warlord frowned at him. “I gave you my son to support your pack, as I gave you to Ashen to support Venom. Family and allies find what works the best for everyone” He said dryly. Perhaps a little sharper, too, then he would have been without griefing clouding over him. The comment on bees did bring out another wry grin from the Warlord, and he shook his head. He might have laughed, if he could touch the old joy that had been inside of him. “Ah yes… bees.” He said. When Kotori offered a fight the Warlord stretched his neck muscles. “A fight sounds like a good idea. Very well, let's see what you’ve learned. Then, I will take Mortis for a season.” He said. He gave Kotori a chance to accept, and then he lunged forward. His companions already fanning out behind him as the Warlord aimed to smash his right shoulder against Kotori’s right shoulder. Round 1/2 "Speech"

Kotori ignored the reproof of his dad on helping allies.  His next words had been the offer of the spar to decide if dad got to ask Mort to go for a season.  He obviously didn’t see his father much now and knew how hard mom’s death would be affecting him so Kotori would help dad in Ko’s special way of helping.  The horned wolf wasn’t much for the right words to give comfort or empathetic looks but he could let any withheld rage at life come to the surface on someone who could take care of themselves.

“One season, agreed.  Remember, you gotta win first.  Though when I beat you on the first fight I imagine we could do more until you win if you can.”  There was no doubting the challenge in tone or grin.  Might as well try to egg dad on to not hold anything back and besides that’s when it gets most fun.  Kotori still hadn't beat dad and was aiming to make sure his father's record was broken.  He'd get Mort but Ko wanted that win first.

Kotori set himself, prepared to lunge in but dad was coming first.  Kotori lunged to meet the charge, not bothering to avoid the shoulders clashing but instead leaning into it, contesting the strength of the shoulders shoving into each other, testing who would maintain their balance the best.  As they hit Kotori bit for his dad’s side, biting into whatever flesh he could reach when they connected.  He was forced to take a quick step back to maintain his balance after their hit so even if the bit connected it wouldn’t be as strong as attempted.  

Behind him, Splash fanned out to keep an eye on Bast.  Out of sight, Fang was slinking closer to Bear, the bold little mongoose watching for a chance to bite the far larger predator.

Round 1/2

"Kotori Fatalis"

He growled at his cocky son, a retort coming to his lips, but he bit it away again. Too angry to voice his thoughts as Kotori baited him. He found himself suddenly fed up with his son's attitude. Perhaps it was the sudden shift and change in dynamic around them. He was accustomed to Kotori respecting him. The cocky young alpha before him didn’t hold the same regard for the Warlord as he once had. The death of his wife certainly did not lend him patience. Nor the wherewithal to understand what Kotori was doing. All he saw was the challenge, and he found himself rising to it.

He was tired of walking on eggshells, of slowly teasing the right words from his grief-clouded mind. Of holding back the anger that had been ripping through him since the day Zee had given herself over to Gods. It was a clash of two titans as the brutes collided

Kotori had managed a short spurt of momentum before they hit, and even the Warlord felt the jarring impact. Then Kotori’s teeth were closing in around his upper shoulder. The Warlord aimed to smack his head against the side of Kotori’s in an effort to jar him lose. Leaning his weight forward in an attempt to put Kotori on the defensive as he raised a paw and attempted to drag his unsheathed claws down his son's knee.

Round 2/2

Well, Kotori had gotten exactly what he wanted.  Kotori snarled, shoving himself right back into dad’s own form, fighting to see who could push the other one back.  Ko wouldn’t play defensively on this fight, it was to be an all-out offensive this time.  Dad’s claws raked against Kotori knee.  Kotori lowered his own head, tilting it so his horns faced his father, and attempted to slam them into where the shoulder connected to the body.  Kotori lacked the fancy horns he imagined made better use for slashing but Kotori found his simple horns were as good for jabbing, if not better than, slashing.

Really, this was for his dad but the idea of beating his dad for once still urged Kotori on all the more.  So many lost battles.  This would be the perfect time to finally win.

Round 2/2

"Kotori"

The Warlord let his anger get the better of him. Bitter frustration burned through his veins and he found himself snarling as he sought to rip Kotori apart. It was a good thing his son was as competent as he was in a battle, and that the Warlord's rage had always been blinding.

As Kotori used his horns both to shield himself and to damage the Warlord, he felt the sharp tips tear his shoulder. It hit the muscle and his paw spasmed, releasing his grip on Kotori. For a split second his rage surged, and then it waned just as quickly. The battle ended with the Warlord clutching one paw across Kotori’s shoulder, his other side skewered. The soft pitter of falling blood on autumn leaves, and the heavy breathing of the fighters seemed whisper-silent after the growls. Then the Warlord sagged, dropping his head on Kotori’s shoulder. Digging the claws on his working paw unapologetically into the boy's scruff as he shook. His weeping a quiet, ragged breath.

Kotori was determined not to lose the battle this time.  Then again, he’d always been determined before and still lost.  This time Kotori had an advantage though, he was thinking rationally and his father was doing anything but that.  The test of brute strength lasted a while but the horns into his father’s shoulder dug in and seemed to trigger an emotional response in his father.  The scent of rage came and went fast, followed by his dad’s head and paw on him.  Kotori felt his blood sliding down from his knee that his father had slashed open but imagined it didn’t hurt nearly as much as the poison in Sirius's heart.

Kotori remained still as his father clung to him and wept.  Kotori had never been overly emotional but, at the times when he was most upset a good battle had always helped to make it better.  Someone he could depend on to be there was nice too.  Dad was possessive and he’d lost mom.  Kotori remained still, letting dad hug the son he still had, a silent reminder he was still here.  

Kotori wasn’t sure of any words to help his father fight the demons inside so hopefully, this was enough.  He wasn’t going to offer words about how things would get better as that much was up to his dad to figure out.  “Dad,” Kotori spoke solemnly and no longer the arrogant attitude of before, “of course Mort’s welcome to go spend a season in the Armada.  When you are ready to go back.  Feel free to stay here a few days if you want to first.  Take a breather, and spar some if you want.  No holding back is fine here.”

"Kotori Fatalis"

Kotori was still. A steady pillar beneath the Warlord, giving him time to recover. When the boy spoke, he didn’t address the Warlord's loss of control. Neither the anger, nor the following grief. The Warlord slowly drew himself back together again. Staggering back from the brown wolf, he sat on his hunches and slapped a paw over his bleeding shoulder. The leg was going to hurt for a few days at the least.

“I’ll stick around a few days” He agreed gruffly. It’ll give Mort some to pack before the Warlord dragged him back to the Armada. Perhaps he would take the chance to seek out Asla and Indy as well. He hadn’t seen them for a while. With luck, things wouldn’t get too sentimental. The Warlord seemed to be having trouble keeping his eyes dry in reconnecting with his children since the tragedy.