Part 837: Donnel (Father) A

Nah...

Why, hello, Father. What can I do for you?

About the other day, when ya said ya were used to disappointment? What exactly did ya mean by that?

Oh, that... I was talking about growing up in my foster home.

Wait, ya mean Nowi warn't around to raise ya proper?

No. I never knew either of my parents. I was sent to live with the family of one of my father's soldier friends. But my new family wasn't very welcoming to their semihuman-mongrel foster child...

Don't say that.

I soon learned that I'd have to work hard to fit in and survive in my new home. I did chores before I was asked. I helped defend the house from marauding Risen. I thought that if I could make myself useful, they would stop...hating me. I mean, how could they resent a child that always helped and never asked for anything? But they never accepted me... I just learned to deal with disappointment. I had no friends. No one to talk to. ...I was utterly alone. And I never once mentioned how much I missed my father and mother.

*Sniff* I...I didn't even ask...when...when they would come back for me...

...Nah, I...

Wh-when I arrived here, I wanted to find out everything I could about them. *sniff* Th-that's why I keep asking you so many questions and making you angry...

I'm sorry, Nah. Reckon I've been blind this whole time...

I'll tell ya anythin' ya wanna know- even the embrassin' story of our courtship... And if yer ever feelin' lost or sad, I'll be right here for ya. Long as I'm around, ya won't ever be lonely again.

T-truly? Do you really mean it?! Oh, thank you, Father!

Not at all, Nah. Now, tell me, whatcha wanna know?

Let's start with how you proposed to Mother! What'd you say? What'd you do?! I want to hear EVERYTHING, and don't leave out even the smallest detail!

Gosh... Alrighty, well... as ya know, yer ma has always looked right young, and...