Post by Sohtoh on Jan 1, 2010 2:38:34 GMT -5
Starring:
Vincent - Male Dog | Alsatian
Rowtag - Male Wolfdog Pup
Setting:
Foggy Path
-----------------------
The afternoon has left the growing wolfdog pup unattended near the den, and thus the scampering little fool has made good his escape from the hill in which he resides most of the time, with his mother and various other wolves of the Ute. The goings-on involving his 'father,' Helaku, are all unknown to the innocent youngling. In fact, he'd only had a decent conversation with the ex-Alpha perhaps once or twice. With all of the adults busied in their grief over something he had no clue about, his escape was easy, and had led him here. The mist above the ground is quite new to him, especially at this time of day. The black and tanned pup hops around the area, quite unaware of his surroundings as he begins to make a game of making some of the mist disappear as he runs through it.
Vincent feels better. It's a simple statement, but he does. He seems... healthier, fitter, faster, more confident. More like his old self. It's been a long journey and he's not quite there yet, but that's often how these things go. With his tail swaying gently behind him the male takes a stride through the path, exploring a new place. Hmm... hungry? Well, he just ate, so... perhaps in a bit. His thoughts wander as he explores, sniffing this and that, taking in the various scents that are around the place.
A sort of giggle emits from the young Rowtag as he twirls around, chasing his tail through the mist and whatnot before he comes upon a figure lurking in the background, and his muscles tense. The pup stands completely still, his tail lowering and curling inward in fear just a tad. Ears are perked forward in alert, his golden eyes attempting to make a face on the figure, but to no avail. Keeping completely quiet, he stands there for a moment, frozen in his fear as he remembers the one thing that Helaku had told him.. and that was that someone could try to hurt him if he ran off. Try as he might, he can't help but let out a rather instinctual whimper.
Vincent's manner is more curious but threatening, but- well, it's foggy and... totally understandable. "Hey there," he offers in a polite tone, tail remaining still and neutral. "Sorry to scare you like that- it's okay, I'm not gunna hurtcha. Just out taking a walk, that's all, much like yourself... I guess. I'm Vincent, anyway."
How suiting that the son was rather like his biological father, in more than just looks? Both were just out for walks, though Rowtag's purpose was faintly more mischevious in nature. Tilting his head at the voice of the.. what was it? A wolf like him? Well. He was a wolf/dog/, but he didn't quite know that yet. No, this thing didn't look like a wolf. It was a .. Vincent. Taking a brave step forward, the largest pup in Skelaghe's newest litter wagged his tail just a hair each way, and responded. "I'm Rowtag." The voice is obviously full of youth, and it was impressive that he didn't just say 'I Rowtag,' or 'Rowtag,' in response.
Vincent can't help but smile. Cute kid. Gunna grow up to be a tough wolf some day- well, although, it's quite obvious (with a better look) that he's a hybrid. Unusual, but... a niggling question begins to gnaw at the inside of his mind. Really? How many half-wolf/alsations could there be? Is this...? As such, his expression goes a little... wierd. For a moment he doesn't reply to your statement, but after a time he recovers his composure and nods his head. "Rowtag, Rowtag. Hey, cool. Nice to, uh... meet'cha." No, it couldn't be. I mean, there's no way she would... well, let them survive, would she? Then again... this IS Skel'. Friend to all living creatures, etc. "So, where're your parents?"
A tad nervous at the lack of response from the other initially, the young hybrid's ears lower in some sort of nervousness, only to perk up at the sound of his name from the Vincent. "You too!" He chimes in happily, and prances over to the older male, a bit foolishly on his part.. but his fault was his bravery. Most would call it carelessness. "Mama is back at the den." He said, and nodded his head to the hill that he came from, to the northeast. "Dad is.. umm." He blinks, and takes a seat on the path, looking up to Vincent as if the two had known each other their entire life. "I dunno. I don't see Dad much."
Vincent doesn't seem to mind- he's not threatened by the little pup, and he seems nice. "Sounds fair," he answers, also spending a moment to regard you, seeming intrigued. Well, he's definitely a hybrid- but... could it be? Nah, naaawww... at the mention of the absent father, Vincent nods a little, seeming to understand. "Yeah, I know how that feels. Barely knew my own dad, myself. But, heh, things are a little closer in wolf packs I hear."
The pup's limited knowledge of the world around him leads him to listen intently to the Vincent's short comment about wolf packs and his own father. For a moment, he wants to know more about the stranger's father, because his knowledge of paternal influences has been so little. He doesn't however, as if his brain took a sharp turn and instead focused on something completely different. "What are you?" He asks bluntly, and stands back up, sniffing at the grown dog's front legs, tail wagging happily. "Mama and Dad and Rawiya and Ciqala don't look like me.. they're all pretty and light. Except Ciqala. He's ugly." Speaking of those that Vincent would have no knowledge of, his innocence almost cute. "I'm dark, like you!"
"Yeah, hehe," Vincent says, shuffling a little, seeming a little nervous. "Dark... just like me." The rest of the names don't mean anything to Vincent, of course. "Uhh, well- I'm what's known as an alsatian. We're... well. We're just like you, I guess, but a little smaller- and we tend to less... structured lives." Now that he thinks about it it, the resembalence is uncanny. "So, uh... yeah. Who are your parents?" he asks, somewhat apprehensively. "If, uh, you don't mind me asking."
The dog's nervousness is not picked up by the innocent young Rowtag, and he continues to look at the adult male, looking at his paw, and then Vincent's paw. His tail, and then Vincent's tail. Even their eyes are similar. "Al-say-shun?" He mimics the word, and then sits right back down with a sort of 'thump' sound. "Al-say-shuns are smaller than wolves?" He asked, as if he didn't believe him. Vincent was pretty big compared to him, but the pup's sense of scale was still not very good. The question of who his parents were was answered quickly, and easily. "Mama's name is Skelaghe, and dad is.. umm.." He thinks about it, having heard his name, but never really said it. "Helaku."
The Eagle has landed. Oh dear. Vincent's filled with pangs of guilt and remorse; his ears flick back. "Skelaghe, you say," he says, nodding his head a little to himself. Well, to be honest, that *would* make a lot of sense. "Mmm? Oh, yes, we're a little smaller. Uhh, by and large.. as a general... uh, rule." The dog's tail sinks down. The pup standing just there seems to be living, breathing proof that what happened wasn't just some horrid dream- it was real. Well, that sure sucks, but... can't take it back now, much as he'd like to. "That's... well, that's interesting, I guess. Huh. I knew your mother, a while ago..."
Nodding his head enthusiastcally, Rowtag laughs a little at how much the dog was stumbling over his words. "You talk funny." He says innocently, and sniffs up at the male once more. The mentions of his mother were mostly ignored, up until the Alsatian spoke of knowing her before. "You did?" He asks, his eyes filled with some odd, child-like wonder. "..How?"
"Uhhh..." there's an uncomfortable pause. "Well, uh. Perhaps it's best for her to explain that, hey?" he remarks, reachign down and giving the pup's head a playful pat. "I guess I do talk funny, but, well, that's just... that's just how I am." He gives a little smile. "If you see her- let her know that I'm feeling a lot better, okay? And that I'm sorry."
"No.. I want you too!" he says, and sits on his hind legs, supporting his weight by pressing his large paws against Vincent's frame. He sure is brave, in dealing with a plausible threat the way he is. "Mama will be busy, or not want me to come back." He says with a whimper, and gives an all encompassing, sad puppy face. "Please, Vincent?"
Vincent shifts his eyes from side to side. Oh, this is... arkward. "Well, uh, okay. Um. I'll really do my best to... explain in an... uhh." He shuffles. "A way that doesn't get me killed, hey. Uh. Hmm." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "What do you know about where pups come from?"
A blink comes from the young wolfdog, and he tilts his head to the side, still with his paws against the large from of the Alsatian. His ears flick, and his tail wags slowly in a horizontal motion against the ground. "Um.." He says, a bit embarassed by the lack of knowledge that he had about.. well, anything really. "Nothing?"
"Nothing," Vincent echos. Oh boy. "Well, uh... it's a little complicated- but basically... you know how your mother is different from your father, right? How, you know. They have different, well..." he pauses. "Sorry, I'm not really explaining this very well. Basically, uh... you should probably ask your mother about that, really. I mean, I'll try again if you want, but... uhh..."
The pup has absolutely no idea what Vincent is talking about, and a brief pause is forced between the father and son as he quirks his head to one side once more, and then lets out another laugh, setting his paws back down on the ground. "You're funny!" He says happily, and then slaps his paws on the ground, his tail up in the air, obviously wanted to play. "Tell me how you knew mama, or.. I'll get you!"
Vincent laughs at that. He's cute, he'll give him that. "Well, okay, okay. We were... friends. A long time ago. Okay?" he says, dipping his head in mock fear, grinning widely. "I did something- uhh, bad and she probably doesn't wanna talk to me right now, but... yeah." he laughs. "Just don't hurt me, oh-scary-one!"
"Friends?" He repeats in a playful growly tone, wanting to get in the mood to play, as he was a puppy, and .. well, that's what puppies did. But, his playful attitude fades at the mention of doing something bad, and he wanders over to the older dog, and puts his nose to the other's, staring down into the other's eyes, not yet knowing the full meaning of doing such things. "Oh.. what'd you do that was bad?" He asks, and removes his nose, taking to sitting down right in front of Vincent instead. "Mama thinks that I'm bad sometimes."
Vincent chuckles nervously at that, seeming uncomfortable. "Well, uhh, hmm. Well, it became time for your mum to... get ready to have her pups. You, actually, and your brothers and sisters... but, uh, well- normally she'd do that thing with Helaku, but... well... uhh." He winces a bit. "Basically, I got her to do it with me instead. It wasn't something I'm proud of, but... yeah. I'm actually... your real dad."
His ears lower a bit at the tone that Vincent takes on, and Rowtag's facial features form the look of concern for perhaps the first time in his young life. He likes this Vincent. Not quite sure why, as he's definitely not as playful as mother was, and he was prone to sounding 'funny,' as the pup had so politely put it.. but he does feel some kind of odd bond. The dog's last sentence explains it, and Rowtags ears perk back up again. "..huh?" He asks, and stands back up, backing away a little. "Nuh-uh.. dad is Helaku.." He says, and shakes his head, thinking about it and knowing that neither Skelaghe or Helaku were as dark as him, but he was something of a miniature Vincent, with some more wolvish features added on. "..But, mama didn't say that.." With a whimper, the poor little guy is very confused. Why would his mother lie to him about his own father?
Vincent ponders, giving a slight pause before continuing. "Then again, well, your father is... well. There's your physical father- and then there's... the one that raises you. They can be different, you know." His voice seems tinged with a little regret. "I mean, obviously, the one who raises you is going to be Helaku. You live with a wolf pack- that's just how things are gunna be... I'm guessing." He chuckles. "Look, it's okay. Just... ask your mother about it. See how she feels. She can probably provide a little more insight than I can."
Shaking his head violently, Rowtag's ears lower once again, his tail hanging in a sort of defeated way before he looks back up to Vincent. "No! Mama lied to me! She said Helaku was dad.. I don't look like anyone!" His tone is somewhat hurt, somewhat confused, and somewhat angry. Mostly angry. "I don't want to stay with Mama or Ciqala or Rawiya.. or any of the pack again!" He said, and growled a little in thought, though it was obvious that it wasn't aimed at Vincent. "None of them like me. They think I'm a trouble-maker.." He let out a sigh, and looked up at the Alsatian again. "..Dad, can I stay with you?"
Vincent smiles a little at that, seeming to understand. "I'm afraid that you can't," he says, voice tinged with regret. "At least, not yet. It's not a decision you can make for yourself at the moment. These feelings that you're having- they're just a normal part of growing up. Don't let them bring you down. You are who you are." He smiles a bit wider. "Your mother was probably just trying to protect you, that's all. She wouldn't have done so if she didn't care for you."
Rowtag watches his father, and sits right back down in front of him, still not seeming to understand some things, but not quite sure how to vocalize them just yet. His grip on language is coming along nicely, but it doesn't change the fact that some things just can't be said, due to his age yet. "I thought lying was bad.." he said, and let out a whimper as he scooted his front legs down to the ground, and rested his chin on one of his paws. "How come -she- can lie and get away with it? If I lied, I'd be in big trouble.."
Vincent gives a chuckle at that. "Well, it's just one of those things. It's the intent behind the lie that really matters. If you're trying to help someone or protect them, other than yourself of course, then... it's not so bad. If you're doing it to harm another, or to selfishly help yourself, then yeah- that's not so bad." He smiles, shaking his head a little. "It's a complicated thing, but one you'll come to understand in time."
Looking up at Vincent, Rowtag forces a grin. His father was so much more direct with advice than his mother, who he found to tell the truth, but now he saw how she could dance around it in her own pretty ways. Every minute he remained with Vincent, he would grow a bit more defiant of Skelaghe. "Why would her lying protect me from anything?" He asked, tilting his head once more, genuinely confused. Was Vincent dangerous? Why would she have to hide his own father from him?
"It's... a complicated situation," he explains, "Between your mother and I. As I said- I did wrong, but she tends to... well. She accepts blame for things that are not her fault. That, and she sees the good in everyone- even if they don't deserve it. So I suppose she was trying to protect me, as well, to some extent."
"I don't get it.." he muttered, and let out one more defeated sigh. So, now what would that make him? His mother was a wolf, and his father was an Alsatian; a dog. He wasn't all wolf, and not all dog either. Just another problem that he figured he would have to deal with, not to mention his striking resemblence to Vincent, whereas his other children, and Rowtag's brother and sister, looked much more like their mother. "..Could you come home with me to talk to mama?"
Vincent almost considers it, but shakes his head. "Last I heard I wasn't welcome at your home," he says, somewhat reluctantly. "But... look. I'm sure we can arrange a meeting between her, yourself and me at some point- just not now. Maybe when you're a little older." He smiles, giving the pup another pat. "You'll do fine, kid. Don't you worry about that."
Rowtag's ears lower at the rejection, and he lets out another whine. "But.." he interjects, however he can't think of a counter-argument. He doesn't want to wait until he's older, that's for sure. More than likely, he'll just try to sneak off away from te den more often than he usually did. "I'll tell mama that I saw you.. and maybe we can both come talk to you?" He asks, seeing nothing wrong in that option. How wrong is it for a son to want to be around his father, anyway? Especially one that he took after in so many ways.
Vincent nods his head at that. "I'd be glad if you did," he says with a somewhat-nervous smile. "She was- is- special to me, I guess." The male stands, stretching a little, emitting a yawn. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure we'll find plenty of time to meet again. But you do need to go home and get back to your family- it can be dangerous out here."
When Vincent stands, so too does Rowtag, and he watches his newfound father with a certain curiosity, before he flicks his tail into a slight wagging motion, and nods his head. "Okay.." He mutters, and begins to slink back off to the den area, however reluctant he is to go back 'home.' "Bye, dad.." he says, not bothering to look back at the dog as his pace quickens, and soon he is in an all out sprint back to the Ute lands.
Vincent - Male Dog | Alsatian
Rowtag - Male Wolfdog Pup
Setting:
Foggy Path
-----------------------
The afternoon has left the growing wolfdog pup unattended near the den, and thus the scampering little fool has made good his escape from the hill in which he resides most of the time, with his mother and various other wolves of the Ute. The goings-on involving his 'father,' Helaku, are all unknown to the innocent youngling. In fact, he'd only had a decent conversation with the ex-Alpha perhaps once or twice. With all of the adults busied in their grief over something he had no clue about, his escape was easy, and had led him here. The mist above the ground is quite new to him, especially at this time of day. The black and tanned pup hops around the area, quite unaware of his surroundings as he begins to make a game of making some of the mist disappear as he runs through it.
Vincent feels better. It's a simple statement, but he does. He seems... healthier, fitter, faster, more confident. More like his old self. It's been a long journey and he's not quite there yet, but that's often how these things go. With his tail swaying gently behind him the male takes a stride through the path, exploring a new place. Hmm... hungry? Well, he just ate, so... perhaps in a bit. His thoughts wander as he explores, sniffing this and that, taking in the various scents that are around the place.
A sort of giggle emits from the young Rowtag as he twirls around, chasing his tail through the mist and whatnot before he comes upon a figure lurking in the background, and his muscles tense. The pup stands completely still, his tail lowering and curling inward in fear just a tad. Ears are perked forward in alert, his golden eyes attempting to make a face on the figure, but to no avail. Keeping completely quiet, he stands there for a moment, frozen in his fear as he remembers the one thing that Helaku had told him.. and that was that someone could try to hurt him if he ran off. Try as he might, he can't help but let out a rather instinctual whimper.
Vincent's manner is more curious but threatening, but- well, it's foggy and... totally understandable. "Hey there," he offers in a polite tone, tail remaining still and neutral. "Sorry to scare you like that- it's okay, I'm not gunna hurtcha. Just out taking a walk, that's all, much like yourself... I guess. I'm Vincent, anyway."
How suiting that the son was rather like his biological father, in more than just looks? Both were just out for walks, though Rowtag's purpose was faintly more mischevious in nature. Tilting his head at the voice of the.. what was it? A wolf like him? Well. He was a wolf/dog/, but he didn't quite know that yet. No, this thing didn't look like a wolf. It was a .. Vincent. Taking a brave step forward, the largest pup in Skelaghe's newest litter wagged his tail just a hair each way, and responded. "I'm Rowtag." The voice is obviously full of youth, and it was impressive that he didn't just say 'I Rowtag,' or 'Rowtag,' in response.
Vincent can't help but smile. Cute kid. Gunna grow up to be a tough wolf some day- well, although, it's quite obvious (with a better look) that he's a hybrid. Unusual, but... a niggling question begins to gnaw at the inside of his mind. Really? How many half-wolf/alsations could there be? Is this...? As such, his expression goes a little... wierd. For a moment he doesn't reply to your statement, but after a time he recovers his composure and nods his head. "Rowtag, Rowtag. Hey, cool. Nice to, uh... meet'cha." No, it couldn't be. I mean, there's no way she would... well, let them survive, would she? Then again... this IS Skel'. Friend to all living creatures, etc. "So, where're your parents?"
A tad nervous at the lack of response from the other initially, the young hybrid's ears lower in some sort of nervousness, only to perk up at the sound of his name from the Vincent. "You too!" He chimes in happily, and prances over to the older male, a bit foolishly on his part.. but his fault was his bravery. Most would call it carelessness. "Mama is back at the den." He said, and nodded his head to the hill that he came from, to the northeast. "Dad is.. umm." He blinks, and takes a seat on the path, looking up to Vincent as if the two had known each other their entire life. "I dunno. I don't see Dad much."
Vincent doesn't seem to mind- he's not threatened by the little pup, and he seems nice. "Sounds fair," he answers, also spending a moment to regard you, seeming intrigued. Well, he's definitely a hybrid- but... could it be? Nah, naaawww... at the mention of the absent father, Vincent nods a little, seeming to understand. "Yeah, I know how that feels. Barely knew my own dad, myself. But, heh, things are a little closer in wolf packs I hear."
The pup's limited knowledge of the world around him leads him to listen intently to the Vincent's short comment about wolf packs and his own father. For a moment, he wants to know more about the stranger's father, because his knowledge of paternal influences has been so little. He doesn't however, as if his brain took a sharp turn and instead focused on something completely different. "What are you?" He asks bluntly, and stands back up, sniffing at the grown dog's front legs, tail wagging happily. "Mama and Dad and Rawiya and Ciqala don't look like me.. they're all pretty and light. Except Ciqala. He's ugly." Speaking of those that Vincent would have no knowledge of, his innocence almost cute. "I'm dark, like you!"
"Yeah, hehe," Vincent says, shuffling a little, seeming a little nervous. "Dark... just like me." The rest of the names don't mean anything to Vincent, of course. "Uhh, well- I'm what's known as an alsatian. We're... well. We're just like you, I guess, but a little smaller- and we tend to less... structured lives." Now that he thinks about it it, the resembalence is uncanny. "So, uh... yeah. Who are your parents?" he asks, somewhat apprehensively. "If, uh, you don't mind me asking."
The dog's nervousness is not picked up by the innocent young Rowtag, and he continues to look at the adult male, looking at his paw, and then Vincent's paw. His tail, and then Vincent's tail. Even their eyes are similar. "Al-say-shun?" He mimics the word, and then sits right back down with a sort of 'thump' sound. "Al-say-shuns are smaller than wolves?" He asked, as if he didn't believe him. Vincent was pretty big compared to him, but the pup's sense of scale was still not very good. The question of who his parents were was answered quickly, and easily. "Mama's name is Skelaghe, and dad is.. umm.." He thinks about it, having heard his name, but never really said it. "Helaku."
The Eagle has landed. Oh dear. Vincent's filled with pangs of guilt and remorse; his ears flick back. "Skelaghe, you say," he says, nodding his head a little to himself. Well, to be honest, that *would* make a lot of sense. "Mmm? Oh, yes, we're a little smaller. Uhh, by and large.. as a general... uh, rule." The dog's tail sinks down. The pup standing just there seems to be living, breathing proof that what happened wasn't just some horrid dream- it was real. Well, that sure sucks, but... can't take it back now, much as he'd like to. "That's... well, that's interesting, I guess. Huh. I knew your mother, a while ago..."
Nodding his head enthusiastcally, Rowtag laughs a little at how much the dog was stumbling over his words. "You talk funny." He says innocently, and sniffs up at the male once more. The mentions of his mother were mostly ignored, up until the Alsatian spoke of knowing her before. "You did?" He asks, his eyes filled with some odd, child-like wonder. "..How?"
"Uhhh..." there's an uncomfortable pause. "Well, uh. Perhaps it's best for her to explain that, hey?" he remarks, reachign down and giving the pup's head a playful pat. "I guess I do talk funny, but, well, that's just... that's just how I am." He gives a little smile. "If you see her- let her know that I'm feeling a lot better, okay? And that I'm sorry."
"No.. I want you too!" he says, and sits on his hind legs, supporting his weight by pressing his large paws against Vincent's frame. He sure is brave, in dealing with a plausible threat the way he is. "Mama will be busy, or not want me to come back." He says with a whimper, and gives an all encompassing, sad puppy face. "Please, Vincent?"
Vincent shifts his eyes from side to side. Oh, this is... arkward. "Well, uh, okay. Um. I'll really do my best to... explain in an... uhh." He shuffles. "A way that doesn't get me killed, hey. Uh. Hmm." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "What do you know about where pups come from?"
A blink comes from the young wolfdog, and he tilts his head to the side, still with his paws against the large from of the Alsatian. His ears flick, and his tail wags slowly in a horizontal motion against the ground. "Um.." He says, a bit embarassed by the lack of knowledge that he had about.. well, anything really. "Nothing?"
"Nothing," Vincent echos. Oh boy. "Well, uh... it's a little complicated- but basically... you know how your mother is different from your father, right? How, you know. They have different, well..." he pauses. "Sorry, I'm not really explaining this very well. Basically, uh... you should probably ask your mother about that, really. I mean, I'll try again if you want, but... uhh..."
The pup has absolutely no idea what Vincent is talking about, and a brief pause is forced between the father and son as he quirks his head to one side once more, and then lets out another laugh, setting his paws back down on the ground. "You're funny!" He says happily, and then slaps his paws on the ground, his tail up in the air, obviously wanted to play. "Tell me how you knew mama, or.. I'll get you!"
Vincent laughs at that. He's cute, he'll give him that. "Well, okay, okay. We were... friends. A long time ago. Okay?" he says, dipping his head in mock fear, grinning widely. "I did something- uhh, bad and she probably doesn't wanna talk to me right now, but... yeah." he laughs. "Just don't hurt me, oh-scary-one!"
"Friends?" He repeats in a playful growly tone, wanting to get in the mood to play, as he was a puppy, and .. well, that's what puppies did. But, his playful attitude fades at the mention of doing something bad, and he wanders over to the older dog, and puts his nose to the other's, staring down into the other's eyes, not yet knowing the full meaning of doing such things. "Oh.. what'd you do that was bad?" He asks, and removes his nose, taking to sitting down right in front of Vincent instead. "Mama thinks that I'm bad sometimes."
Vincent chuckles nervously at that, seeming uncomfortable. "Well, uhh, hmm. Well, it became time for your mum to... get ready to have her pups. You, actually, and your brothers and sisters... but, uh, well- normally she'd do that thing with Helaku, but... well... uhh." He winces a bit. "Basically, I got her to do it with me instead. It wasn't something I'm proud of, but... yeah. I'm actually... your real dad."
His ears lower a bit at the tone that Vincent takes on, and Rowtag's facial features form the look of concern for perhaps the first time in his young life. He likes this Vincent. Not quite sure why, as he's definitely not as playful as mother was, and he was prone to sounding 'funny,' as the pup had so politely put it.. but he does feel some kind of odd bond. The dog's last sentence explains it, and Rowtags ears perk back up again. "..huh?" He asks, and stands back up, backing away a little. "Nuh-uh.. dad is Helaku.." He says, and shakes his head, thinking about it and knowing that neither Skelaghe or Helaku were as dark as him, but he was something of a miniature Vincent, with some more wolvish features added on. "..But, mama didn't say that.." With a whimper, the poor little guy is very confused. Why would his mother lie to him about his own father?
Vincent ponders, giving a slight pause before continuing. "Then again, well, your father is... well. There's your physical father- and then there's... the one that raises you. They can be different, you know." His voice seems tinged with a little regret. "I mean, obviously, the one who raises you is going to be Helaku. You live with a wolf pack- that's just how things are gunna be... I'm guessing." He chuckles. "Look, it's okay. Just... ask your mother about it. See how she feels. She can probably provide a little more insight than I can."
Shaking his head violently, Rowtag's ears lower once again, his tail hanging in a sort of defeated way before he looks back up to Vincent. "No! Mama lied to me! She said Helaku was dad.. I don't look like anyone!" His tone is somewhat hurt, somewhat confused, and somewhat angry. Mostly angry. "I don't want to stay with Mama or Ciqala or Rawiya.. or any of the pack again!" He said, and growled a little in thought, though it was obvious that it wasn't aimed at Vincent. "None of them like me. They think I'm a trouble-maker.." He let out a sigh, and looked up at the Alsatian again. "..Dad, can I stay with you?"
Vincent smiles a little at that, seeming to understand. "I'm afraid that you can't," he says, voice tinged with regret. "At least, not yet. It's not a decision you can make for yourself at the moment. These feelings that you're having- they're just a normal part of growing up. Don't let them bring you down. You are who you are." He smiles a bit wider. "Your mother was probably just trying to protect you, that's all. She wouldn't have done so if she didn't care for you."
Rowtag watches his father, and sits right back down in front of him, still not seeming to understand some things, but not quite sure how to vocalize them just yet. His grip on language is coming along nicely, but it doesn't change the fact that some things just can't be said, due to his age yet. "I thought lying was bad.." he said, and let out a whimper as he scooted his front legs down to the ground, and rested his chin on one of his paws. "How come -she- can lie and get away with it? If I lied, I'd be in big trouble.."
Vincent gives a chuckle at that. "Well, it's just one of those things. It's the intent behind the lie that really matters. If you're trying to help someone or protect them, other than yourself of course, then... it's not so bad. If you're doing it to harm another, or to selfishly help yourself, then yeah- that's not so bad." He smiles, shaking his head a little. "It's a complicated thing, but one you'll come to understand in time."
Looking up at Vincent, Rowtag forces a grin. His father was so much more direct with advice than his mother, who he found to tell the truth, but now he saw how she could dance around it in her own pretty ways. Every minute he remained with Vincent, he would grow a bit more defiant of Skelaghe. "Why would her lying protect me from anything?" He asked, tilting his head once more, genuinely confused. Was Vincent dangerous? Why would she have to hide his own father from him?
"It's... a complicated situation," he explains, "Between your mother and I. As I said- I did wrong, but she tends to... well. She accepts blame for things that are not her fault. That, and she sees the good in everyone- even if they don't deserve it. So I suppose she was trying to protect me, as well, to some extent."
"I don't get it.." he muttered, and let out one more defeated sigh. So, now what would that make him? His mother was a wolf, and his father was an Alsatian; a dog. He wasn't all wolf, and not all dog either. Just another problem that he figured he would have to deal with, not to mention his striking resemblence to Vincent, whereas his other children, and Rowtag's brother and sister, looked much more like their mother. "..Could you come home with me to talk to mama?"
Vincent almost considers it, but shakes his head. "Last I heard I wasn't welcome at your home," he says, somewhat reluctantly. "But... look. I'm sure we can arrange a meeting between her, yourself and me at some point- just not now. Maybe when you're a little older." He smiles, giving the pup another pat. "You'll do fine, kid. Don't you worry about that."
Rowtag's ears lower at the rejection, and he lets out another whine. "But.." he interjects, however he can't think of a counter-argument. He doesn't want to wait until he's older, that's for sure. More than likely, he'll just try to sneak off away from te den more often than he usually did. "I'll tell mama that I saw you.. and maybe we can both come talk to you?" He asks, seeing nothing wrong in that option. How wrong is it for a son to want to be around his father, anyway? Especially one that he took after in so many ways.
Vincent nods his head at that. "I'd be glad if you did," he says with a somewhat-nervous smile. "She was- is- special to me, I guess." The male stands, stretching a little, emitting a yawn. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure we'll find plenty of time to meet again. But you do need to go home and get back to your family- it can be dangerous out here."
When Vincent stands, so too does Rowtag, and he watches his newfound father with a certain curiosity, before he flicks his tail into a slight wagging motion, and nods his head. "Okay.." He mutters, and begins to slink back off to the den area, however reluctant he is to go back 'home.' "Bye, dad.." he says, not bothering to look back at the dog as his pace quickens, and soon he is in an all out sprint back to the Ute lands.