Redhawk Caldera fever dream high in the quiet of the night

Eljay loved how alive the Caldera felt, how alive the Blackthorn den felt; how alive he felt. He had tried not to pressure his children too much, having experienced how it had crushed Weejay with responsibility, and how it had driven Elfie away; but it made his heart sing to see his daughter have a family of her own, children of her own, and for himself to be able to experience being a grandfather at — what felt like — last. Though his movements were stiff and slower with each passing day, it seemed, there was a spring to the caretaker's step ever since he had first laid eyes on these beautiful little blobs that were his grandchildren. Now they grew rapidly, and soon they would be their own person more and more; and Eljay was here for each and every step in the process.

As he made his way through the territory, looking for something that the pups could play with, Eljay noticed Sylvie not too far off. He was glad to see her back from journeying with Ceridwen; it warmed his heart to have Sylvie nearby, right here in Redhawk Caldera. He could not help but hope that she would find love some day, like he had (he knew she had inherited some of his less desirable traits in that sense, and wished he could show her just how wonderful and deserving she was) and he hoped he would be around to see the day she would welcome her first children, like he was there for Chickadee.

All those wistful and sentimental thoughts were pushed aside as Eljay closed in on Sylvie and asked, Hey sweetie, do you want to help me look for something fun for the pups to play with? She looked a little searchingly, so he added: Or were you on your way to do something else that you could use an old man's help with?