As usual, Sheogorath had been walking the border. It had become a peaceful habit of his, and after what he had done to those two insurrection members, he needed some quiet in a serene, seaside atmosphere. The smell of salt was on the air, the sound of seagulls carrying across the outskirts of the town.

He hadn't expected to come across anyone else, it was particularly early in the morning, after all, the sun just barely peaking over the horizon to cast golden light across the man-made landscape, but on that day, he saw a woman lingering upon the street, and at her side, a young child, perhaps only two, with bright red hair. Something about the scene called to him, something that told him this was important, that this was not just some joiner with a kid. This was a situation that made him a bit uncomfortable, and he didn't quite no why. Perhaps it was because of the child. If this woman expected to join the Badlands, surely she'd know that such a group was no place to raise a young kid?

With a bit of hesitation, Sheogorath schooled his expression with neutrality and approached, his uneven gait revealing his limp as he leaned against his carved wooden cane with every step. The woman turned to him, and immediately, there was a look of recognition, as if she knew him, but he could hardly say the same for her. She was a total stranger. One he had never met before.

[b]"Greetings there, lass. This is the Badlands. You know that, don't you?" Sheogorath spoke as soon as he was close enough to be heard, his voice a gentle, honeyed smoothness, if only for the benefit of the child. But the kid looked bold, and stood by his apparent mother's side with fiery eyes that reminded him of his own. There wasn't a hint of nervousness there. The woman was quiet for a moment, toying with a silver necklace around her neck, before parting her mouth to speak.

"A man with amber eyes and bright red hair." She seemed to murmur. "Ah yes, and the cane. You must be...Sheogorath?" His name upon her lips made his eyes widen with surprise. Had she come here looking for him? As if hearing his thoughts, she spoke again, "I hope you don't mind, but Joshua here and myself were looking to join. And...we were looking for you." She spoke honestly, her expression unreadable.

"Lookin' fer me? Why? And why would you want to join the Badlands?" Sheogorath inquired, his voice evident with surprise.

"Because you're here." The woman responded simply. "My name is Mary, and this...this is your son. Joshua." Her voice was quiet, hesitant. Sheogorath's mind exploded, went reeling into oblivion. He had a son?

"No, sorry, you've got the wrong man. I don't...I can't." He couldn't. Not now. Not in the Badlands. How, who? Then it dawned on him. The only person he had ever...

"You remember Taboa?" Mary asked gently, as if she knew the name was on his mind.

"I...yes, of course. Do ya know what happened to her?" He wanted...no, he needed to know. He had loved her. Still loved her. She would always hold a place in his heart, and he had abandoned her, left her at the Group of Captors, and damn was he sorry. But now he had an idea that she was at least alive.

"I don't know where she is. We got separated, but she's somewhere out there in the world." Mary answered gently. Sheogorath couldn't believe it. Taboa was alive, and he had had a son with her. A young son, a son he never would have known about, had this woman not sought him out.

"How...old is he?" Sheogorath inquired cautiously. He was a father. I'm a father! Should he be happy? Scared? How could he be a father? How could he...? He was a killer, a murderer, a monster. The boy smiled, and lifted his hand to display two fingers with confidence, as if he had been practicing for weeks. Mary smiled gently.

"He's still learning the basics. But yes, he's two." She offered, her voice a bit more cheery this time. "Will you accept us?" The woman inquired. "You wouldn't have to do much. I'll take care of him. You can help, of course, but you won't have to worry, I promise. I'll keep him out of trouble." She promised, and there was a pleading note in her voice. "We've traveled so far..."

Sheogorath considered her words, but really, he had no authority on the matter. All he could really comprehend was that he was a father, and he was still struggling to grasp it all. But damn, he swore to himself, he'd be the best father he could be.

"You should know...the Badlands...is a rough place. I'm not a good man, and whether or not you can join, that's not up to me. But...if Catalyst says you can stay, I promise you, I'll be the best father I can to Joshua." Sheogorath mustered the strength for a smile, and tried to make it look as pleasing as possible. Yes, he promised himself. He didn't know how to be a dad, but he sure as hell would find out. He just...he just couldn't let Joshua see him be the monster that he was. But surely Mary wouldn't allow that, anyways? She had said she'd protect him. The cruelties of the Badlands were pressing and demanding to be seen, and sadly, Sheogorath wondered just how long the boy could be sheltered.

The kid was smiling at him, such a generous expression that made the man's heart swell. This was his son. He had a son. It would take time to fully recognize that, but maybe...maybe it would all be okay in the end. Badlands or not, Sheogorath would try his best to insure Joshua lived a good life. The best it could be.

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