[Be wary reading this thread! CW: a bit of swearing, being a bit of a shitty parent, classic Vita family issues.]
A wing hastily knocked against his shoulder just as he turned to leave the cairn, shortly followed by a hushed whisper into his ear: "go talk to Eli." Glassy eyes met his own, brows furrowed somberly. When Eythan stared obliviously into his gaze, he pressed with a quick "look at him" and said little more as he took his leave. The gryphon leered over his shoulder, at his brother's retreating form. Keen eyes shifted and softened as they fell upon the once-puppy, uncharacteristically somber.
Eythan couldn't pride himself on not being a terrible father, for a number of reasons: one, he had simply taught his children the basics of survival and allowed them to go their own ways --- subsequently losing any indication that Elyon was even alive; two, he had failed to properly approach his own son about this, even if he persistently caught those distraught eyes and the frantic attempts to pick up any trail left behind by his sister. However, the gryphon could pride himself on emotional constipation and poor social acuity. Eli acted out for attention, to be noticed and to be loved --- and what had his father done? Sat by and let him? Because he was an adult?
That was the same rabbit hole Aza'zel had fallen down, and where had that landed that poor fuck?
Shaking his head, Eythan stood by the cairn's exit, waiting for everyone to leave (even Aries, who he didn't have the energy to even flirt make small talk with.) Slowly, carefully, he approached Eli and sat next to him, intentionally pressing his flank against the smaller hybrid. Immediately, he drew a blank. What am I even supposed to say to make this shit okay? Brow furrowed. A deep sigh. Talons shifting so that they laid side-to-side with Eli's own front paws. He began in a soft murmur, as not to startle the hybrid, "I'm sorry."
A beat, and the gryphon elaborated, "I'm sorry for not talking to you, Eli. I know that you're--- worried about... about her and I've done nothing about it. I have---" He swallowed, throat bobbing significantly with the force of his emotions. "I have no excuse. You don't have to forgive me. We can just talk. Shitty father to wonderful son." A bitter laugh escaped his beak, unbidden and uncalled for.
ELI
COULD YOU FIND A WAY TO LET ME DOWN SLOWLY?
Eli hated this.
Venezio was dead, Elyon was missing, and he hadn't pulled a single prank in weeks! He was supposed to be the merrymaker, the jokester, he was Eli the Trickster-- it was his duty was keep spirits high and here he was sulking, but, he couldn't help it. There was just.. too much weight. His heart was to heavy to fly.
Eli sighed, watching the other's finish up the cairn. He wondered where Venezio was now. Was he hot, parched, and lonely, like his bones are now? Did any part of him still exist? It was hard being in the Bonebound and not think about death. They were surrounded by it-- hell, it was their identity. Stupid fuckin' death.. Eli thought. His eyes glazed down a small jaw bone. With a paw, he flicked away. Suddenly, his home wasn't feeling like a home anymore. Death was unnatural for gembounds. What happened to Vinnie was unnatural, it's abhorrent! He hoped beyond all hope that it hadn't happened to Elyon. He'd not wish it upon any gembound, not even Vinnie's murderer, but he did want them to pay.
Yeah, right. That will never happen.
Eli's train of thought was interrupted by a familiar scent and the warmth of a pelt pressing against him. Eythan?-- He turned to look. --Dad? His father was sitting close to him. Eli couldn't remember the last time he did that. It was nice, but Eli could not find the will to show him. He looked down at his feet, ashamed he couldn't even enjoy this rare moment. Why am I so shitty?
Then, Eythan did something even more unexpected. He apologized, for everything, for Elyon, his neglect. Eli squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away. He wished Eythan would shut up an leave him alone so he didn't have to feel this heavy pain in his heart. He didn't hate his father, not even after everything he did. Eli wanted to tell him that, he just couldn't. Not right now, and that's what hurt.
"Yeah.." Was all he could muster. Eli wanted to smash his face into a boulder. Dad just spilled his guts for you and that's all you have to say?? He berated himself. No Eythan, you're not shitty, I'm shitty! Eli focused back on the cairn. His lips drew back as he quivered, fighting back tears.
Then, he took a deep breath, looked a Eythan, and smiled, but his eyes were duller than they've ever been.
I forgive you, dad.
@Eythan