So Kuy went back to preparing the meet for smoking. finally collecting as much of the tallow for later projects this was a fat buck so there was plenty to spare. it went in one of the leaky buckets to be stored in the cellar, it would stay firm in that temperature till needed. more fires were made and a leg and booth blackstraps went into the smoker Kyu cooked up the organ meet some apples and potatoes in tallow. while Sampson brainwashed the hide and took the old ones out for stretching. they were about to eat when the most unnatural chime broke the peace Kyu almost drop their plate and ran for the phone flipping it open Kyu froze on every level as two letters stoped their world. 

“no”

Sampson seeing Kyu go catatonic in the doorway finished his food then walk to the kid “Bad news”

Kyu didn’t answer so Sampson took the phone he had to look back at the message sent to understand what Kyu had asked then heaved a sigh and sat Kyu in the doorway and went about caring for the rest of the clean up and the fires. feeling it was better to say something Sampson offered “I have to take the carcass out I will be back.” Kyu looked up at him then through him so Sampson left.

after dumping all the leftovers from the buck he stoped at the river and called to Rook “looks like the kid is here to stay. is that a problem?”

Rook flew down landing out of reach “they are delicious, I don’t mind them at all. what has changed?”

“we got conformation that Vie is dead, Kyu would be next if Yukis house fell. at this point the kid is destined  for your cold soil.” Sampson clenched his jaw

“Oh Sampson, come now do you really think Kyu is that weak? have you not paid attention at all or is it that you can’t see. Well now cousin I think we are in for a fun winter and I wonder just who will make it out the other side whole.”

Sampson not caring for Rooks games said “as long as you don’t cause more trouble because he is here”

Rook looked at Sampson like he was truly dumb for a moment then chanced their demeanor to one of lordly understanding “I, as always will be the beautifully, charming person you know me for and you have centuries of trouble, unaware of how bad they want to end you. for now though let us say we are on good terms and I like that Kyu gives me things, I wish them to not stop.”

Sampson somewhat relived thought best to build that fondness in a platonic way “then you should think of something you can do in return Kyu just lost their world that they would give you anything is remarkable… right now they sit in a doorway absent of anything including sense.”

“A whole world, how could a child lose something so big ?” Rook mocked 

Sampson bowed his head “because Vie was that big she filled every room. her laughter was as bright and dark as the moon on a clear night. she was chaos and power and she claimed that kid as a babe to keep him safe! now not only is he claimless, his mother, owner and most everyone he has ever known is dead. if that is not a world in a child’s eyes what is?”

 Rook stoped idly gassing off and thought for a moment “don’t talk like you're so much older you are but a babe to my eyes. but yes that is a whole world for a young one. I will think on it but it would be so much easier to entertain them if you didn’t bark at me every time i touched them…”

Sampson skipped a stone on the river “you are a perverted old man and Kyu is under my protection. if I had any doubt of needing to protect them i lost it with your kiss the other day.”

“Oh go on kettle, but who shall protect them from you?”

“His my nephew!” 

“Oh reeeally?” Rook drug out the last word like it was asking several questions.

“this next stone is for you if you keep teasing.”

“fine though you should confirm some things before winter gets too close, Kyu is a lighting rod and will be as long as they live.” 

“you know something?”

“Yes and no, I am isolated so know only so much but none of it would help you now stop avoiding your obligation the child needs tending from their tantrum.”

“only a spirit would call shock of losing pack a tantrum” Sampson said standing and walking off. 

the seen awaiting Sampson hadn’t changed Kyu just stared out blankly so Sampson tended the smoker then stood in front of Kyu blocking the view hands on hips deciding what to do with the kid.

“s-sh shouldn’t i get revenge or or something?” Kyu stammered out like they had been trying to think it though for some time but not having the brain cells to complete the thought.

“that is a terrible idea! but if you want to learn to defend yourself I can teach you over winter.” 

“I feel like i have to do something but i can’t move.” 

“then bed. sleep is a thing that can be done with out moving.” Kyu just kept staring out blankly. Sampson tried not to roll his eyes and grabbed Kyus upper arm hosting them up walking to the loft and pushed them up like a sack of unwieldy potatoes Kyu lay their cramped on the floor of the loft.

Sampson never knowing a cold werewolf got the now tanned first hid. it was dry and soft and smelled of campfire. he tossed it up to the loft then came up and wrapped Kyu in the hid and put Kyu on the makeshift bed then sat with his back against the chimney and rubbed Kyus neck and shoulders. thinking of his ridiculous sister and how sad the world was with out her.

once kyu was asleep Sampson did the last tending of the smoker then went to bed Kyu was curled into a small ball of pain and loss so Sampson pulled them close and protected them from the cold.