Loss. Disappointment. Rage. Indescribable hurt.

The emotions ran through Atticus as he walked into Tanglewood's territory, disregarding their border. Paws sunk into the marsh's water as he wandered on with yellow eyes set on the small town in the distance and a goal in mind. Priorities. He grazed through the flowers on the town's border. Petals fluttered to the floor. The wolf held no disregard for their likelihood, just as his former group did for Tanglewood and his family.

He came to a halt in the middle of the town. Eyes settled on Atticus. Many moved forward to acknowledge the scent of a Pittian in their home and tried to speak, only to be cut off. A deep breath and a call followed. "Where's Elsweyr?" he demanded. The canine was unaware of Tanglewood's change in ranking, but anyone would do. Any ears to listen to his plea would be a swell affair, especially since it regarded their home.

His shaky being awaited an answer, but none came. At least not yet.

ATBASH CIPHER

light the night up ,
you're my dark star !

female f1 savannah | shadow reaper [hp, deputy] of tanglewood | former hailcaller [leader] of snowbound | "speaking" | thoughts | "telepathically speaking"

A sly greeting and a crack of bones cause his head to turn. Arrow. A small smirk crawled upon his maw. he wolf lowered his head, offering her a curt nod in greeting. Clearly his raspy throat, he began to speak. "Arrow," the canine greeted. "Been awhile, ain't it? Pleasure to see you roaming around." Her news was surprising though. Elsweyr? Not in charge? He was disappointed by her assumed leave, but to hear someone responsible stepped up in her spot was honorable. Needless to say, the Roux male just nodded along. Impressive.

The canine straightened out. An ink stained claw flicked backwards, gesturing wearily at the border far behind them. "Borders schmorders, what I have for you is more important than that," Atticus grumbled. "Gael has disappeared, leaving Dante in charge." Most present would know about Dante, considering Elsweyr publicly tortured him for his actions to Merlin. "The Pitt has made everyone an enemy, but we are 'enemy number fucking one.'" His tone was slightly mocking while he quoted the ardent. He remained serious otherwise. "They are preparing to go to war with us. We can do the same with this knowledge and perhaps strike earlier." 'We.' 'Us.' Important words to note. Atticus Roux had finally abandoned The Pitt. Tanglewood, as always, was his home and there was no denying his roots. He would protect them, especially with his mother present. Little did he know.

Atticus's gaze flicked off to the side, noticing other arrivals beginning to show their faces. By the time he looked over, several familiar faces had shown up. The first to speak was a stranger, but as they continued, he recognized that familiar dialect that Elsweyr always indulged in. "There you are," he firmly stated. "Next time don't switch positions without telling me, same goes with-" A paw loosely waved up and down at her new form. "That." As the rest of her concern was already addressed, he moved onto the rest.

Lucinder, someone he really didn't know. Atbash and Vigenere. Two Ciphers. Atticus merely offered them a dip of his head in greeting, only to refocus on Arrow. "I was also hoping I would be welcomed back in Tanglewood permanently," he addressed. All loyalty to The Pitt was thrown aside. Sweeney was dead and the man who tried to ruin his dual alliance, along with hurt his family, now lead his former group. Tanglewood was his only hope of getting away. "Family remains and I'd like to protect them." At least he thought so. Someone would have to break the news sooner or later, but at least this time he wasn't the fault of her dismissal.

His disappointment couldn't have been expressed better. Elsweyr's words stood true. The two saw eye to eye. Gael was a valuable leader to The Pitt and Atticus never wanted to see the day he departed, but to see him and Aine leave was heartbreaking. To think that they were on a better path. The thought that maybe Sweeney and Atticus could have a fitting future, but that potential crumbled as soon as Dante returned to power. Ears pinning to his head, he speculated her leave. Had she left out of fear? Had Dante hurt her? The wolf could feel the anger beginning to bubble in his chest. Cowardess from all sides caused this disgraceful change, leaving Atticus just to shake his head as she finished. "If only he had," he echoed back. "Then maybe we wouldn't be here." 'And she would still be here.'

At the mention of Arrow's declaration, he simply nodded. "I see," came his simplistic reply. Perhaps he should have waited at the border then. Oh well. "If I may, I will offer my services on training Tanglewood on their common tactics." His gaze shifted to Lucinder momentarily. They seemed young. Learning the ways of war was bound to happen one way or another for them. It just happened to be now for the youngling. It reminded him of his own past truthfully, especially after his mother's death and Ivan's attacks towards him, but despite the trauma, he still learned how to fight for his own. Silver lining, supposedly.

Elsweyr's comment passed by quickly, but as he was about to reply, the next came mercilessly his way. His jaw hung open. He tried to form a proper reply, but all he could muster was: "What?" Ears slowly made their way back to press down onto his cranium as the male processed the former luminary's words. Moth was gone. His mother was gone... again. To where? Had she died again? Why now?

Atticus' heart raced and thumped against his chest as the realization set in. His lover and mother had vanished into the dark without a goodbye... and for what? A new life? To leave him in the dust? Confusion set in. He wanted to deny it. With his eyes narrowed, he sputtered out all he could. "Where is she?"

Not again.