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Description
Philippe shut the lid of the box and carefully slipped it inside his satchel, mindful not to disturb his freshly-made treasures inside. Doing up the clasps around his small body, he secured his small bag of belongings and supplies to his back and made his way to the main foyer of Il'durahn’s city library where his father, the head librarian, and his intern would be.

Sure enough, Meilyr was there just about ready to leave. It looked like he had some last minute instructions for his poor apprentice though. Shion was stood, parchment and quill in paw, taking notes, but although he stood on his hind legs the list reached down to his toes and trailed on the ground. There was a slightly pained look on his face, Philippe thought, but his father either didn’t notice or ignored it.

“I will be gone two weeks.” Meilyr told the other elnin, who simply nodded vaguely.

“Dad? I want to come too.” The little blue kittom piped up.

“So it is vital these things are taken care of-“ The librarian turned around at the sound of his son. “Philippe? But I’m going all the way to Ilrian. It’s a long journey and it’ll take even longer if…”

“But I want to see if they have any new recipe books.” Philippe replied. Which was true, he loved to cook and bake and try new recipes.

As stern as Meilyr could be with other elnin and kittens alike, he melted instantly when met with the pleading eyes of his own offspring. Giving a little sigh he waved a paw at Shion. “We will be gone three weeks.”

Philippe gave a squeal of delight, and he was sure he saw Shion smirk a little at the thought of some extra time without his overbearing tutor.

—

That had been nearly a week ago. They had travelled by ship through the Palu’au Islands for a large portion of the trip but now they had entered Kyendi and were walking by themselves. Philippe wasn’t worried though. His father may not have been a knight, but he was a noble and could traverse most major roads without concern. But then, even if his father had been a villager he knew he would still protect him no matter what.

It fascinated the young kittom to see all the deep and dark shades of green in the jungles, having been used to Bellmoril’s golden forests. The dense plants seemed to promise all sorts of hidden ruins and treasures just beyond them, undiscovered relics of civilisations long since lost, but his father carefully steered him back onto the path. Philippe was sure there was almost a disappointed gaze on the back of his neck as he turned away.

Unfortunately Meilyr was right about the trip taking longer with him tagging along. He had shorter legs, traveled slower and got tired more quickly. And now was one of the times he felt his little paws getting sore. “Dad? Can we stop for a bit?”

The older elnin by his side slowed and stopped, looking around at their surroundings before deciding it was safe to rest here. They had reached a clearing near the top of one of the mountains and in the distance the floating Sunshard Isles could just be seen through the clouds. They weren’t too far away now. “Just for a little while. Why don’t you let me carry your bag? It’ll make it easier for you.”

“No!” Philippe gave a small cry of protest, startling Meilyr. “I mean, no, thank you. It’s just… I have something important in here.”

His father looked at him quizzically. “What?”

Brow creased slightly as he debated with himself, Philippe finally let up. Taking out the box he opened it, hoping the supposed charm on it to keep things fresh really did work. Inside were a batch of tarts, cut into heart shapes and with a glistening center of manaberry jam. Meilyr’s eyes widened a little at the sight of them.

“I made them, for you. Well.. to share with you.” Philippe explained, a little embarrassed. “And I wanted to come with you so you wouldn’t be lonely at this time of year. I know this journey is taking you away from Zink.”

Meilyr’s surprise slowly turned into a warm appreciative smile. “That is very kind of you Philippe. But you know, whenever you are with me a part of him is with me too.”

Leaning down he nuzzled the kittom’s head and purred his thanks, not just for the treats but the thoughtfulness too. Even if it took longer, he had no regrets about bringing his son along.

Description
Philippe shut the lid of the box and carefully slipped it inside his satchel, mindful not to disturb his freshly-made treasures inside. Doing up the clasps around his small body, he secured his small bag of belongings and supplies to his back and made his way to the main foyer of Il'durahn’s city library where his father, the head librarian, and his intern would be.

Sure enough, Meilyr was there just about ready to leave. It looked like he had some last minute instructions for his poor apprentice though. Shion was stood, parchment and quill in paw, taking notes, but although he stood on his hind legs the list reached down to his toes and trailed on the ground. There was a slightly pained look on his face, Philippe thought, but his father either didn’t notice or ignored it.

“I will be gone two weeks.” Meilyr told the other elnin, who simply nodded vaguely.

“Dad? I want to come too.” The little blue kittom piped up.

“So it is vital these things are taken care of-“ The librarian turned around at the sound of his son. “Philippe? But I’m going all the way to Ilrian. It’s a long journey and it’ll take even longer if…”

“But I want to see if they have any new recipe books.” Philippe replied. Which was true, he loved to cook and bake and try new recipes.

As stern as Meilyr could be with other elnin and kittens alike, he melted instantly when met with the pleading eyes of his own offspring. Giving a little sigh he waved a paw at Shion. “We will be gone three weeks.”

Philippe gave a squeal of delight, and he was sure he saw Shion smirk a little at the thought of some extra time without his overbearing tutor.

—

That had been nearly a week ago. They had travelled by ship through the Palu’au Islands for a large portion of the trip but now they had entered Kyendi and were walking by themselves. Philippe wasn’t worried though. His father may not have been a knight, but he was a noble and could traverse most major roads without concern. But then, even if his father had been a villager he knew he would still protect him no matter what.

It fascinated the young kittom to see all the deep and dark shades of green in the jungles, having been used to Bellmoril’s golden forests. The dense plants seemed to promise all sorts of hidden ruins and treasures just beyond them, undiscovered relics of civilisations long since lost, but his father carefully steered him back onto the path. Philippe was sure there was almost a disappointed gaze on the back of his neck as he turned away.

Unfortunately Meilyr was right about the trip taking longer with him tagging along. He had shorter legs, traveled slower and got tired more quickly. And now was one of the times he felt his little paws getting sore. “Dad? Can we stop for a bit?”

The older elnin by his side slowed and stopped, looking around at their surroundings before deciding it was safe to rest here. They had reached a clearing near the top of one of the mountains and in the distance the floating Sunshard Isles could just be seen through the clouds. They weren’t too far away now. “Just for a little while. Why don’t you let me carry your bag? It’ll make it easier for you.”

“No!” Philippe gave a small cry of protest, startling Meilyr. “I mean, no, thank you. It’s just… I have something important in here.”

His father looked at him quizzically. “What?”

Brow creased slightly as he debated with himself, Philippe finally let up. Taking out the box he opened it, hoping the supposed charm on it to keep things fresh really did work. Inside were a batch of tarts, cut into heart shapes and with a glistening center of manaberry jam. Meilyr’s eyes widened a little at the sight of them.

“I made them, for you. Well.. to share with you.” Philippe explained, a little embarrassed. “And I wanted to come with you so you wouldn’t be lonely at this time of year. I know this journey is taking you away from Zink.”

Meilyr’s surprise slowly turned into a warm appreciative smile. “That is very kind of you Philippe. But you know, whenever you are with me a part of him is with me too.”

Leaning down he nuzzled the kittom’s head and purred his thanks, not just for the treats but the thoughtfulness too. Even if it took longer, he had no regrets about bringing his son along.