( ooc prompt: what does Aurum think of Leroy leaving? how does he feel abt Vig becoming leader, despite there being other HPs at the time Leroy asked him to step up? )

He knew that this day would come eventually. He knew that, at some point, he would have to face that fact that Leroy and Crow were gone. When he had initially returned home, he had let that information flow freely over him without much fuss, mainly because he was simply still caught up in the euphoria of being home. However, it had already been some time – time seemed to be going so fast, these days – since he had returned, and he knew eventually he'd have to actually process what had happened. Crow wasn't as big of a deal, considering how little Aurum had really known about the feline, in the end. However, it didn't seem as though he was the only one, considering Crow hadn't let very many people get close, save for his family and... well, Leroy. Leroy was the one that really hurt, mainly because Aurum had known him since the other had greeted him at after his initial joining. They had known each other for the entirety of his time in Tanglewood, and it was hard not to feel some emotion over his absence.

He knew that the only way to move on was to confront what had happened head on, which was what had led to the angel making his way to Leroy's house, hesitating before the front door. He lifted his paw, knocking against the wood despite the fact he knew he would receive no call in response. When he didn't, he pushed the door open himself, stepping inside. The old house had already begun to grow dusty, and was about as devoid of life as he had expected. With no Selby, Leroy, or Crow to take care of it, who was left? Sighing heavily, the lion moved further inside, searching for the one item he knew he had contributed to the decor – an old empty bottle, that had once held expensive whiskey, the gift Aurum had given to Leroy many months ago. The last time he had seen it, it had been on the mantle of Crow and Leroy's home, where he had left it after the other's death. Unfortunately, when he made it to where it had once been, there was nothing there. He wasn't sure if it had been tossed in the trash or Leroy had taken it with him, but neither particularly softened the blow.

Sitting down in the old, dark room, Aurum thought about Leroy, and what he had left behind. When Aurum had decided to leave Tanglewood, it wasn't because he particularly wanted to. After all, he had been proud of his position, and happy with his friends and family. But he had needed to, in order to allow himself time to grieve. The only reason he had felt safe leaving the group at all was because he had trusted Leroy. Trusted him to run the group right, and make sure everyone was happy, and healthy. But then the canine had left, without even a note. Just some words to Vigenere to pass along leadership, and that was it. And that... it hurt. It didn't hurt because Aurum didn't trust Vigenere to lead, or even because Vigenere had been chosen, rather than any of the high positions at the time – Aurum knew that Caustic was far too volatile to make a gpod leader, and Selby was in no state to lead at the time. No, it hurt because Aurum had thought he was leaving Tanglewood in good paws, and that when he returned, Leroy would be around to tell him that everything was alright.

Gritting his teeth as thoughts passed through his mind uninhibited, the lion found himself leaning forward, pressing his forehead against the cool stone of the mantle. As he did so, he mumbled in a raw voice, tears slipping freely down his cheeks, dampening his golden fur, "Goodbye, friend... I'll miss you." He'd never be able to say it to Leroy in person, but at least he could have some kind of closure.