As it turned out, leaving a place that you had come to make many connections in was harder than Michael had initially thought. He had figured that, if he tried to leave as quickly as possible and not tell anyone outside of writing where he was going, he'd be able to leave cleanly. What he hadn't expected was for both Seapaw and Roxanne to pursue him, both quite ready to chew his ears off for even attempting to leave them. At first, the pregnant coyote had recoiled, desperately trying to explain what his motivations were, but everything seemed to fall flat at the feet of his sister and nephew, their gazes furious. He couldn't help but feel like a naughty child, despite the fact that he was getting scolded by two people who were younger than him. It had hardly taken much convincing for him to turn tail and head back home, especially when both Seapaw and Roxie expressed the sadness that would ripple through everyone at his departure. He really wouldn't have thought he'd have that much of an impact, but it had only taken one stern glare from Roxie for him to know that he did. At the very least, he hadn't been gone long, so not that much should've changed, right? He could apologize profusely, and probably do a lot of extra chores and maybe deal with a bit more cuffs over the ear, and everything would be fine.

The walk back to the Typhoon hadn't exactly been fun, especially since he still had to deal with lecturing and the extra weight and pain that came from the puppies. Still, all things considered, they made pretty good time, and it wasn't too long before the coyote was padding back over the border, his bag full of belongings still clutched in his toothy jaws. He was flanked by Seapaw and Roxie, who had thankfully fallen silent by the time that they finally got home. He knew it would be far from the last that he would hear about this particular event, but at least he could savor the silence for a little while – or at least, long enough to deposit his belongings back at his home. It had taken a bit of extra time as well, considering he had to put his rats back in their little homes, and let Trevor's moths back out into their own little room. Immediately the place felt like home again, and Michael felt something click painfully into place within his chest. Man, he really had been an idiot, thinking that anywhere but The Typhoon could ever be his home.

Eventually, Michael found himself back near the tavern, Roxie and Seapaw still keeping a careful eye on him. Sighing at the both of them, the canine pressed his side into Roxie's, saying softly, "Alright, alright, I get it, okay? I'm not going anywhere now, and it was a stupid idea to begin with. Can the two of you please stop acting like you're my handlers?" He was fairly sure the answer would be a resounding no, but he could at least make an attempt. Looking around, the pregnant reaver hesitated for a moment before he spoke to the broader crowd around him, a sheepish chuckle leaving him, "I hope I didn't miss too much? I guess that all of you are stuck with me." He was trying to deflect with humor, not only because he felt bad, but also because he felt sort of woozy. Walking back and forth in his new pregnant body had taken a toll, and he prayed very softly to whatever gods were out there that he hadn't hurt any of the puppies.

MICHAEL TOWNLEY-PHILLIPS - THE TYPHOON - REAVER

— Reggan

IF MY LIFE IS GOING

"I ain't going anywhere," the beta would grumble as his head lulled. He hadn't been sleeping well recently and tracking all that way to catch his idiotic uncle had worn him down. He gave a wide yawn, shaking his head. "Dunno whatcha missed, mmm? 's gone 's long as ya, chas'n your stupid a- head. Mmm, shouldn't 've run off." with his tired voice slurring his speech, he truly reflected his mother's thicker accent. While his had always minorly mimiced his mothers, it had also been influenced by those around them.

He leaned lightly against his aunt, gently nuzzling against the tigress' soft fur as his eyes drooped. "mmm, saw 'im handin' a letter to uh... to uh... boat... boat driver? mmm, close enough," the exhausted tiguar would hum, his thick tail twitching back and forth behind him. "prob... probably f'r Ry.

© LEXASPERATED

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[div style="width: 360px; font-family: palatino; color: #76b8cc; text-align: left; padding-top: 15px; padding-left: 10px"]COME AND FLY AW[color=#6897be]AY WI[color=#628ab9]TH ME

Anger.  It didn't come naturally to the young jaguar.  Not often.  Not when she so preferred to smile, to see others smile.  But when the beta saw her mother walking Michael home... Anger unfurled in her chest.  An unwelcome phoenix.

She hadn't seen the letter because she didn't have to.  The damage had been done.  The fire lit.

Her mitch-matched hues glinted as she padded over, narrowed as if she wasn't entirely sure she was looking at Michael.  Not Uncle Mike.  No.  Not Uncle Mike.  "..."

"You're the worst."

It's not enough.  The words don't satisfy.  They can't express everything.  But it's all she has before her eyes sting again.  A mistake.  A mistake.  They should've just looked after themselves.  They didn't need him. 

Natyli grit her teeth together, ears flattening before she spun around and took off.  There was nothing more to say.

© MADI

All things considered, Michael had honestly expected everyone to be a bit more pissed than they were. He couldn't have even said it was undeserved, considering what he had done. He had honestly thought it to be the best choice for his life to go in that direction, but obviously Roxie and Seapaw didn't think so, and part of him was actually glad for that. With his tail wagging a little behind him, Michael smiled sheepishly back at Roxanne, unable to feel safe with her sharp glare focused on him. The coyote opened his mouth, about to explain that he had given a letter to Trygve, only for Seapaw to interrupt him. He had actually intended on telling Roxie, considering he had no reason to lie to his sister – especially when she would just find out later anyways. Nodding in Seapaw's direction, the reaver barked simply, "Seapaw is right. I figured giving Trygve a letter would be better than just leaving without a word... and I couldn't go and say goodbye personally. He would've tried to talk me outta it... although I guess that ended up happening anyways." He then turned his gaze to Seapaw, muttering with a frown, "...You really need to get some sleep, kid." He could understand why Sea didn't want him out of his sight, but Jesus did the kid look tired.

Looking over when Georgia approached, Michael chuckled and shook his head, a sigh leaving him. The fugitive explained, trying his best to shake off the woozy feeling that still lingered with him, "I tried leavin'... think I kinda panicked about the whole kid thing. I wanted 'em, but I wasn't sure they'd be alright without their father around most of the time. I'm back now though, thanks to Rox and Seapaw. And there's no way I'm doing that again. I feel like I could pass out." Before the canine could ask Georgia how she was doing, he was cut off by the approach of Natyli, his niece practically radiating waves of anger. He immediately felt the need to recoil, his ears flattening down against his head when he heard her words. He wasn't fast enough to stop her from walking away, forced to sigh and call out after her, "Natyli! I'm sorry!" He'd need some time to explain himself later. Or at least, try to make it up to her, and everyone else.

MICHAEL TOWNLEY-PHILLIPS - THE TYPHOON - REAVER