Morningside Cuesta the music's too loud

The boy was just as cautious as Haunt had been upon their first meeting. A nervous energy rolled like a tide through him and only ebbed when Haunt explained things; to which Vex added his own bits, something about their missing father, which reminded Kigipigak that they were children of an Anneriwok.

Before much could be said or done there came a third body—this one mature, hefty and impressive, with the softened edges of motherhood and the furious posturing of a true issumatar; she was not Tartok but this woman would have fit in well. It was their mother, naturally.

Kigipigak gave her a once-over but froze when both children reacted to her arrival; notably it was Haunt who tried to smooth things over while the boy merely whined.

He's going to help us find Kaertok. Aren't you, uncle? Haunt looked sharply in Kigipigak's direction as she made this announcement and for a moment all he could see was a doppleganger of her mother's agitation, though it was brief.

Yes, I travel a lot and have looked in the western valley already, but thought it would be fun to... Bring them. Kigipigak looked from the girl's face to the mother's, his tail raising slightly to wag a few times before dropping submissively. The woman had spoken against an escort and so it would be up to the three of them to convince Arbiter to let this happen—but Kigipigak did not know how deep the mother's hooks had set in to her children.

I am sorry to be meeting you this way. Your daughter - she is a good hunter, she could become a fine tracker with help. We would not be going far—staying between the ranges, taking easy routes...? Kigipigak was trying his best, but the serious nature of Aribiter's resting mom face was making it difficult. He was not the strongest of liars and so he merely twisted the truth a little, which made it flow easier.