pop the trunk // temporary return

[Atticus Roux]

As quiet paw steps approached, the canine tensed. His head slowly turned down to the floor, looking at the dropped flowers with tired eyes, only to be jolted backwards. Atticus stumbled back as fur collided with his chest and pushed him to the floor. A familiar scent filled his nose. Yellow hues looked down at the female nuzzling at his chest in surprise and a soft sigh left him in return. Relief. Sweeney wasn't angry... at least it seemed to be that way. With her head in his paws and her body pressed upon his chest, a smile spread across his maw. Bliss dawned on Atticus for the first time in a long time.

Her elegant tone breached his ears. Regret slowly began to come back, but she seemed... relieved? Atticus merely tried to use his snout to get her head up from his chest and looking at him. His golden hues tried to lock with hers. "I'm sorry," came his lowly mumble.  "I shouldn't have left you." He tried not to make excuses. Instead, he owned up to his crime. The guilt was starting to hit him all over again and caused his muscles to slightly tense up, frozen in his spot. "I'm so sorry." In a final move of sincerity, he tried to press his nose to hers with his eyes closed. Atticus hoped she would understand, but he was wrong and he understood if she didn't, despite her current joyous reaction.

His head pulled back. More voices came. Some fumbling of others who watched in silence too. The first voice was undesirable and his eyes opened, merely shifting towards Atbash. Atticus' smile slightly faded. He wanted to head back to The Pitt, given he didn't know of Aurum's disappearance, but he didn't feel like mentioning that out loud to the public since it could patronize him further. Instead the wolf merely craned his head and offered a shrug.

Pointed features moved towards the artic fox. He firmly nodded in greeting, only to have Arrow's head brush against his shoulder. "Perhaps, yes," the canine murmured. "I'm not exactly welcome though." His gaze shifted to Elsweyr (who he presumed was a deputy still) and let out a sigh. A paw attempted to lightly caress at the fox's back, embracing her love for a bit more. He wanted to talk properly with the rest, but true she and their medic was the focus of his attention today.