Ruth had gathered Megara, and Nairn had paid half down on his replacement, in the form of a gold bracelet and earring set that he'd nicked off a mark that morning. He wanted to be at home, before she got there. He took his time walking, still buzzed and quite overwhelmed with the fact he had a son. What was perhaps, more overwhelming still, was the fact he'd basically raised his child without knowing who they were. He'd ask questions, if the boy's mother was alive, but her letters had explained it well enough...
He'd never thought she still needed his funding after he'd been pronounced dead. He should have set up a trust for her care; ensured she and the boy never came near the Coterie again. Too late now, the thought weighed heavy on his mind. Haulean had never been the kind of child that Nairn could bring himself to break down and recreate; he'd always been so pure, so happy. Not like many of his age group; many of those children knew only hardships... but Haulean?
He'd been well-cared for, before being sent to his father's care. She must have known it was a gamble that he'd treat the boy as well as he had. But perhaps that was easier than watching him experience hardships like hunger...?
Eventually, he stood in front of the door to his home within the Coterie's network, the lights were dark. Good. That meant Ruth hadn't arrived with her, yet. He could go in, lay down, sober up a bit before she got in... And learn to ignore the fucking gear that clanked every-so-often. He'd pay the dwarf in rubies if she'd stop that from happening, for sure.
He settled on the couch, eyes closed, and sighed. He never wanted to be a parent for a reason; no matter how good everyone said he was with training the younglings within the C. That was easy, he was creating workers. Giving them tools to survive...
Much different than raising your own child in a criminal network. He didn't even like that Megara was here so often. Eventually, he'd drift off on his back, one arm over his eyes, even the clanking of that persistent gear couldn't keep him from napping as he came down from his high.
He'd never thought she still needed his funding after he'd been pronounced dead. He should have set up a trust for her care; ensured she and the boy never came near the Coterie again. Too late now, the thought weighed heavy on his mind. Haulean had never been the kind of child that Nairn could bring himself to break down and recreate; he'd always been so pure, so happy. Not like many of his age group; many of those children knew only hardships... but Haulean?
He'd been well-cared for, before being sent to his father's care. She must have known it was a gamble that he'd treat the boy as well as he had. But perhaps that was easier than watching him experience hardships like hunger...?
Eventually, he stood in front of the door to his home within the Coterie's network, the lights were dark. Good. That meant Ruth hadn't arrived with her, yet. He could go in, lay down, sober up a bit before she got in... And learn to ignore the fucking gear that clanked every-so-often. He'd pay the dwarf in rubies if she'd stop that from happening, for sure.
He settled on the couch, eyes closed, and sighed. He never wanted to be a parent for a reason; no matter how good everyone said he was with training the younglings within the C. That was easy, he was creating workers. Giving them tools to survive...
Much different than raising your own child in a criminal network. He didn't even like that Megara was here so often. Eventually, he'd drift off on his back, one arm over his eyes, even the clanking of that persistent gear couldn't keep him from napping as he came down from his high.
05-23-2024, 06:35 PM
