The next day, Hunter left his room and walked towards the stairs, and he went past Luz, who could tell what he was up to.

"Are you going to see Mr. Delacroix", Luz asked.

"Yes I am", Hunter said, "I need answers to all these questions I have burning inside my head."

"I can understand that", Luz said.

"You won't tell Eda, will you", Hunter asked, "I know she warned me to stay away from him, but he's my Dad for Titan's sake."

"Don't worry, I won't tell", Luz said, "and neither will Amity."

"Thanks, Luz", Hunter said, "I knew I could count on you girls."

Hunter went down the stairs and towards the front door and walk passed Eda, who was sitting on a couch looking through a book, and without looking up from it, she called out to Hunter.

"And where do you think you're going", Eda asked.

Hunter stopped in his tracks and quickly came up with a response.

"I was just on my way down to Grimgrub's Pup", Hunter said.

"Grimgrub's Pub, eh", Eda asked.

"That's right", Hunter said, "I was feeling a little thirsty, so I thought maybe a nice box of non-alcohoic apple blood sounded like a good idea."

"Alright then", Eda said, "but don't stay out too long."

"Got it", Hunter said.

Hunter left the house, and Eda went back to reading her book.

"A thirst for apple blood", Eda said, "that kid's just like me in that regard."

Hunter walked along the streets of Bonesborough towards Grimgrub's Pub and sat down at the bar where he had met Paxton previously and waited for his father to arrive.

"I hope he gets here soon", Hunter said, "I don't know how much longer I can stand not knowing about my past."

It was then that Paxton walked into the pub, and Hunter noticed him coming his way.

"Dad, you came", Hunter said.

"Of course I did", Paxton said, "you didn't think I'd miss an opportunity to see my son again, did you?"

"I guess not", Hunter said.

Paxton sat down next to Hunter and spoke to Kevin, the bartender.

"Two apple bloods, bartender", Paxton said, "one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic."

Kevin slid the ordered drinks over to the father and sun duo, and as they drank their beverages together, Hunter decided to start asking Paxton some of the questions he had for him.

"So, Dad", Hunter said, "do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Not at all", Paxton said, "if I can answer them I will."

"Okay then", Hunter said, "first question: why don't I have powers like other witches on the Boiling Isles?"

"Ah, yes", Paxton said, "I thought you might be curious about that."

"I was told that I was descended from a long line of powerless witches, but now I'm not so sure that's the truth", Hunter said, "I was hoping you might be able to tell me a little more about that."

"I'd be glad to", Paxton said, "you see son, when you were born, you suffered a birth defect that left you without the ability to perform magic."

"A birth defect", Hunter asked.

"That's right", Paxton said, "although uncommon, witches will sometimes be born with such a defect that renders them incapable of using magic."

"I've heard about that", Hunter said, "some parents are known to abandon babies who can't do magic."

"Indeed", Paxton said, "which is what fate befell you shortly after you were born."

Hunter was shocked to hear such a revelation.

"I was abandoned", Hunter asked.

"Yes", Paxton said, "by your mother."

Hearing that made Hunter even more shocked.

"She didn't like the idea of having a son who couldn't perform magic, so she left you out in the streets of Bonesborough to die", Paxton said, "she thought that you were incapable of having any impact on the Isles and that you had no worth to her."

"What happened after that", Hunter asked.

"I left her shortly after I learned what she had done to you", Hunter said, "but by that time, I was certain you were already dead."

"I see", Hunter said.

"But now, here you are, alive after all these years", Paxton said.

"Yes I am", Hunter said.

"And what's more is that you have proven her statements wrong by playing a key part in liberating the Boiling Isles from that human posing as the Emperor", Paxton said.

"Just doing my part", Hunter said, "though, as much as I hate to admit it, if it wasn't for Alexander Whittebane, I probably wouldn't be alive right now."

"Ah, yes", Paxton said, "it was the false Emperor Belos who took you into his care and made you believe you were his nephew, as I once heard previously."

"That's right", Hunter said.

"Tell me, what was it like being raised by him", Paxton asked.

"Well", Hunter said, "it wasn't a very pleasant experience."

Hunter put his hand over the scar on his face, and Paxton was able to get a good idea for how he had gotten it.

"I always thought that he and the Emperor's Coven were the good guys", Hunter said, "but after he began his search for my friend Luz, I began to wonder if that was really the case."

"Ah, yes", Paxton said, "Luz the human."

"It was after I met her that I began to realize that Alexander and his goons weren't as noble as I thought they were", Hunter said, "though, I didn't really begin to realize that until I met this little guy."

Hunter summoned his staff and unscrewed Flapjack from it, and Paxton looked at the cardinal palisman in surprise.

"It can't be", Paxton said.

Flapjack also recognized Paxton, and the former flew out of his master's hand and began angrily pecking the latter's head.

"Ow, ow", Paxton said, "cut it out!"

Hunter grabbed Flapjack and tried to keep him from flying out of his hands as he screwed him back onto his staff.

"I'm sorry", Hunter said, "he's not usually this aggressive."

"No, no, it's alright", Paxton said, "in fact, he has every right to be that way towards me."

"How come", Hunter asked.

"Because", Paxton said, "he used to be my palisman."

Hunter was surprised to hear that.

"Really", Hunter asked.

"That's right", Paxton said, "until I got rid of him after he broke."

"You got rid of him", Hunter asked.

"Yes", Paxton said, "looking back on it, perhaps it wasn't right for me to do that."

"You can say that again", Hunter said, "Flapjack may be broken, but he's an amazing palisman."

"You're right", Paxton said, "I guess it's a good thing he wound up with an owner like you."

Hunter looked at his staff and thought to himself.

"Now I know why he chose me to be his owner", Hunter thought.

Paxton looked at his watch, and when he saw the time, he got up from his seat.

"Well, Hunter", Paxton said, "it's been good seeing you again, but I have to go now."

"Where are you going", Hunter asked.

"Remember last night when I said I had important matters to attend to", Paxton asked, "well, I have to attend to those matters again now."

"I see", Hunter said.

"But I'm not going to let them keep me from seeing you again", Paxton said, "I'll try and look for you another day so we can spend time together again."

"That'd be great, Dad", Hunter said, "I'd really like that."

"Happy to hear it", Paxton said.

Paxton paid Kevin for his and Hunter's drinks and left the pub, and Hunter was left all on his own.

"Well, I guess I might as well head home before Eda gets suspicious", Hunter said.

Hunter left the pub and began making his way back to the Owl House, and as he walked along, he realized something.

"I forgot to ask Paxton about his history with Eda", Hunter said, "guess I'll just have to do it the next time I see him."