[South woods: Connie & Atticus]
Atticus had been some level of inebriated since Steve left. He'd quit Vade and the school. Hadn't given notice at either, and he hadn't looked into other work. Hadn't done this to focus on the B&B. Hadn't done it to focus on anything. Had done this out of a purely selfish desire to be left alone. Knew he was being an asshole to Janus. Cared about that, but not enough to do anything about it. Was wallowing. Was enjoying wallowing. Was considering wallowing as a potential lifelong endeavor. Was currently surrounded by old classics, a good bottle of whiskey, and a cigarette smoking in its ashtray.
Had vaguely noticed the sounds on the far end of the vast property, sounds indicating Billy was over there building an altar. Didn't care about that. Had plenty of land out here. Plenty of land to run on the moons. Knew the replacement Alpha was gone. The wolves were running wild. Would feel better out here, alone, than dealing with wolves in town. Also had the added joy of the haunts. Had seen three of them now, dead, but tangible and not powered by him. Wait, that wasn't right. Were powered by him, but they didn't need him to remain "alive." Needed to find them and "kill" them. Was being lazy about that, too.
Wasn't expecting Connie at his door. Knew it was her, even without moving from the chair he was camped in. Knew her by scent, which was good, because he barely recognized her when he did see her. Pushed himself up and padded the few steps to the door, wearing sweats and a sweater, unshaved, curls a mess, smelling of cigarettes and whiskey, and he looked at her. "Someone looks different. What brings you way out here?" His hazel gaze dropped to the basket in her hand, but he moved aside to let her in. Would let her tell him why she was here.