It wasn't as if he was entirely surprised by his father's approach but, to be fair, he wasn't expecting it. At least, not then and there. He supposed it was inevitable though for they had both been avoiding one another in sense - since Ehiyeh's departure, Elohim hadn't exactly been making efforts to close the space between them. Then something else had happened - though Elohim did not know just what - and Asriel and Eden had returned with a strange energy that seemed...vaguely familiar to Elohim at least. Kamala had complicated things too, Elohim thought, though he was almost certain she wasn't really causing that complication. Eden was, after all, a difficult wolf to adjust to at times, and for somebody like Kamala, Elohim had no doubt their father had been hard soil to thrive in.

But nonetheless, the time had come. Both had come to meet in the middle of that distance and both seemed just suspicious enough to make the meeting crackle with a lick of electricity. Still, Elohim performed the pleasantries for in truth, he had no true issue with his father but rather, many circumstances that surrounded his decisions. Those circumstances were not him per se - as for his father? Well, the distance is what made him suspicious of Elohim. He did not know what had grown in that space and he had been raised to believe distance was something to be suspicious of. And so, they met levelly in that regard, Elohim beckoning his father forward to join him on the sands as they overlooked the sea. "I can't say I know where she is if you've come to ask, but I do know she is doing well." He gave a shrug, a brief glance over, but little more. He had faith in his sister, after all, and one day he felt she might return. After all, ghosts had a peculiar way of showing up again.

I pause when he speaks, blinking the once as if clearing my eyes from the words themselves. Ah, so he thinks I have come just to discuss those kinds of matters? I smirk, hidden from him, but I shake my head slowly nonetheless - "Ah, I don't doubt you're right. Your sister was born with more fight in her blood than any of us." It's true, after all, in a sense. Ehiyeh is not strong in body, yes, but in her mind, I have no doubt. She may fracture at times, or bend, but I have not seen her break despite it all - her leaving? I am sure it is just a way for her to find a piece of her she left elsewhere, or a new piece that calls for her from a distant place. "I think of her but today, I think of other things." I pause, lips taut for a moment, before I do my best to relax myself. It feels awkward to have to discuss such things but I have no doubt Elohim - and others - have been considering it nonetheless. I am, after all, still growing older though I do not yet feel the weakness of age in my bones or body. Yet it is known, and someday I will need to be cleansed of myself, and so I must be sure my affairs are in order when that time comes. It may be many years from now, or soon - I cannot say, only fight it off until I can no more. But it does no change that it feels wrong to discuss, the words ill-tasting and sour.

It didn't take long for Elohim to get a feel for his meaning. He couldn't hide the amused smirk that took over his features as his brows rose up - how strange! Elohim had to wonder if it was normal for a son to feel so taken aback by the mere suggestion of their own father growing older. It was inevitable, of course, and all did so but still, did it not feel strange? It was as if the sheer confirmation that even Eden knew it made Elohim suddenly aware of it; could he see white fur where it had not been once before? Did he see a weariness behind his father's eyes that had not been present in his youth? He could not say but what he did know is that, truly, he had not expected it. Even more so, he had never expected having to accept that someday this conversation would take place, or that he'd have to consider what to do after. "Then I am all ears today. Did you think I wouldn't want the company or conversation? I have little else to do so let us talk and think." He met his father's eyes then once more though he held onto his gaze longer as he searched for answers or questions. When they had been children, Elohim had always imagined Eros taking their father's position when the time came - he and Ehiyeh would operate as their brother's consorts and advisors, a complete team with less of a hierarchy and more of a co-operation. Of course, that changed with every year that passed. Achlys left with Eros and Ehiyeh left in time; they had other siblings now with webs wider and stronger than their own; Elohim had failed to consider those variables, or they had simply not existed at the time. Had Eden had to consider those things too? Is that what had driven him into quiet moments of thoughts as he attempted to wrangle a ceaseless wave of variables?