In an instant Nathaniel was gone, but he heard a door slam nearby. It took a moment to digest what had happened, and when he came to an understanding, Garrison shook his head and breathed in shakily. "W... well..."

Addias approached via the stairs a second later, concern on his face. "Hey, what happened? We heard crying and... where'd the little guy go?"

"Um... Well, he climbed too high, I think he's just startled. You know, he's never left home before, so it's all just so new to him..." Garrison cleared his throat, hoping the warm feeling wasn't being given away somehow. "I'll go find him, see if I can't calm him down. Keep everyone in line for me, yeah?"

"Like I always do?" Addias grinned, but left with his usual clomping gait. Garrison jumped off the deck and hurried into the narrow hallway, following the scent he was picking up to a door that wasn't often fully closed. "Nathaniel?" He knocked lightly. "Come out, please."