Phoenix Maplewood so, what are you gonna do?

my father is dead,

it is quite the admission to start off with and for a moment vex studies kigipigak before the older male speaks again, unsure if he is meant to regard that as 'at least yours is alive' or 'these things happen'. vex is quiet as kigipigak goes on to explain that his father was senile and a weakness and that he was commanded by his mother to kill him. vex contemplates the options kigipigak lays out onto the table, regarding them like they are pieces on a wartable and he has been asked to survey it carefully.

for a moment, though vex dare not point it out, wonders if kaertok hadn't seen weakness in them and that was why he left. anything that might paint vex himself as weak is disregarded; arrogant as usual. i expect to get answers when i find him. he is owed that much at least, he feels. as for why kaertok left, vex can't even begin to fathom.

you may be kinkiller but at least you know why it had to be done. at least you have closure. the not knowing was what hurt vex the most about kaertok's departure. had he not returned because he didn't want them anymore? because they weren't worthy? because something happened to him? there were too many questions and not nearly enough answers.