so Eden sank to grief

His decision to side with Tuwawi brought Malachi no reprieve from the guilt that filled his heart. Rather, his conviction grew only deeper, and the shame brought by Tuwawi's cutting words made his paws burn. He was a coward, and a traitor, and a fool. Not only had he failed Adlartok, but he had failed them all - and Larus most. He had looked for the boy, but that had not been enough. He should have told Tuwawi. He should have searched harder. He should have searched longer. He should have searched until his paws fell off - but he hadn't, and he had failed, and he had betrayed Tuwawi, and now that he had turned his eyes from @Scarlett and left her to fend for herself against the ember's words, he had betrayed her and Adlartok, too. He was not worthy of any of them, just as he was not worthy of his family, who had exiled him to start.

When the meeting came to a close he had slipped away from those gathered, not chancing a word or a glance toward Tyrr or Manauia or even Sen. He stole away quietly, but when he knew he had placed a small distance between himself and the dispersing members of Duskfire, the man had willed his paws to a tempered run. Scarlett's fresh trail guided him, and he let his limber legs, much longer than her own, carry him forth until his stricken gaze met her snow white blur escaping further from the Glacier's heart.

He did not utter her name, but with a final burst surpassed her and turned on spot to block her path. There was the chance she would take his approach as an attack, but it was a risk he would have to take. He could not hide the pain that darkened his face, and he hadn't the strength to try. The only breath that escaped him were his own laboured pants, trying to still the racing of his heart which pounded both from the run and from the overwhelming desire to dig himself a hole and disappear into it forever.