>>5809877“Oh? You kids are all getting along then, ey?”
You father swung around and into the cab once more from where he had been riding along with Terzo up front. You regarded him, considering again your adventure in the Goblin Wastes, and more specifically Rudolfo Van Houtzmann’s role in affairs. Whatever his… Quirks… You had to admit to being somewhat impressed by the old man. If his long hair and beard gave him the look of a mangy dog, and his choices in clothing were questionable, and even if he seemed determined to bed anything with a bosom and… Well…
What was it you’d said of Hershy’s claws? ‘Old as they were, they hadn’t lost their edge’? You supposed you were beginning to see what mother had seen in this old human—not so old, back then. And he HAD risked life and limb, setting aside weeks of his time to organize and attend to this expedition, all for you.
“Rudolfo,” you said.
“Hm? What’s the matter, my child?”
You considered your words carefully, and said: “Thank your doing all this.”
“Oh, think nothing of it!” he said. “Rudolfo Van Voutzmann LIVES for advent—ah, that is… Once upon a time, I mean, this was… Hm…”
You smiled a little at his fumble, and shook your head.
“It’s fine, Dad,” you said. “Really.”
“…Dad…” he mumbled, barely above a whisper. He looked out the window then, and smiled softly.
Maybe, when you had the time, it wouldn’t be so bad to spend some time with the man and with your extended human family? Something to consider, certainly.
Upon your arrival back in Hawksong, though, you had other priorities. You bid farewell to Rudolfo and to Terzo—who, alas, you knew would be taking your next two months of petty-cash to pay for this extended travel, even with the deal your father had haggled for you. Pearce, too, had to return to his own residence in the Initiates’ Village.
“And then I better talk to the enrollment clerks,” he added. “Let them know I’m not dead. See about some makeup classes to catch up…”
“Right,” you agreed. “I should do that, too.”
But first and foremost: a bath, and a change of clothing were in order.
