[[ ooc: okay so much to process I've been unable to do so so I'll just write a quick post, sorry it's short ]] The initial part of the trek was surrounded by lots of scouting. He didn't spend much time with the others, instead it was alone or solo with the other scouts. It was a big responsibility and Kai spent most of that time on high alert. His anxiety was on high by the time he reached the caravan and he usually only spoke to Uno and Eb -- he completely avoided Kaylee, he didn't want another altercation. And he certain didn't want to cause any one else any issues on his account so he spent most of his down time trying to wrestle the ever growing anxiety by reading a book or practicing the quarterstaff lost in the void away from any and all emotions. The rain now made his temperaments worse. He could feel the ache in his joints from the anxiety pressing on him. The wet humid weather making matters all that worse. He kept his father's mantra in his head. He could do this. He was stronger than whatever came at him. It worked sorta. But it was still pressing in on him and the confined space wasn't only just getting at him, but the others too. Kai was half ready to scout the tunnels. He'd snuck off into the darkness a time or two but he never went far. Kai sat around the fire, trying to stave off the cold from the rain while he waited for whatever their next move was. They couldn't wait here forever -- but they might try if it were still too dangerous out to travel, and who knows where the tunnels went.

The whole thing was kinda surreal. He was going on a mission -- one that was not sanctioned by his fathers. But the rest of his day had gone as expected, classes and training and then a walk home. Kai made a point of telling everyone he was leaving to go North for a while. Everyone congratulated him and wished him luck. Some even muttered it's about time under their breath when he walked away. He'd been talking about it for so long it was hard to believe it was real. Walking home, Kai had a certain skip to his step. He was joyous and ready for anything. Probably a good thing to stay upbeat. He Still had to talk to his fathers. Or rather singular father. Merdyn was off doing the diplomat thing when he arrived. It was a last minute, which meant his father, Nox, was the only one home. That made leaving all the harder. Who would take care of him? His father sat in his room curled up with a good book. Blankets and pillows that had been previously used by his love surrounded his entire body. Kai always found it sweet the way his fathers doted on one another. It was a love he wished to have one day -- maybe. He didn't know. Being that close to someone... He still had a long way to go. His father looked up. "I hear you have some big news for me and your father." Of course, he knew. There wasn't a single person in who knew Kai, who didn't know his fathers -- and who wouldn't tell him the big news he'd been blabbing about all day. "So you mad?" His father smirked. "Should I be?" "No." Kai sat down on the edge of the bed. "But I thought there would be a loud discussion." "You never needed our permission, Kai. Just your own permission. I'll be fine. I took care of myself before you or your father came along." Kai laughed. "I even had a good argument." "I know. Cass is going." The smirk returned. "Go fetch some water and we'll make a fair-the-well soup together." This wasn't one of his specialities, but soup was the best he could do when stress was as high as it was. Some days, you didn't see the taint on his father's face, but today, with his other father gone, it was ever present. And it would make the next few days even harder to leave. But tonight... soup!