A dull, repetitive thunk! noise was probably the first indicator of the camp, if one didn't have the olfactory sense to smell the lingering scent of fire almost always about the place. Attikias was not particularly within it- he'd had the unfortunate situation of having the perfect wood-cutting stump being outside of its range.

He'd have to fix that, sometime. But, for now, he had a bundle of firewood in his hands as he heard the faint rustling. Was someone home? Was it an intruder? Hoping for the former (or, at least a friendly visitor) he continued on the path at his own pace, tail lilting up in faint excitement.

He first saw Vivilene glancing around the empty camp. "Viv!" His daughter was home! Oh, how he was worried for her- She had gotten into trouble before, and the anxiety of it gripped his throat when he thought about how long she'd been out. He was going to give it a day or so before he went out to look for her. She wasn't Asteri or Hunter, though- she was vulnerable emotionally to the world.

A soft rumble of a purr rose from his chest as he placed the firewood down by the firepit. "You're okay." It came out as a sigh as he squatted, arms out to offer Vivilene a hug which was reciprocated by the cervitaur barreling into his arms. "Hey hey, I'm glad to see you too. Where ya been?" His hand brushed between the silvery tines of budding antlers.

He noticed in short order that she was leading someone too, though. "Oh-" He ahemed, briefly, resetting his emotions and stood, offering to still hold Vivilene's hand from an upright position. His eyes flicked over their form in a brief catalogue. "Hello. M'names Attikias- Attik, if it's easier." A hand twinged in a want to handshake (caves, muscle memory, please stop) but instead he only offered a brief bow of the head. A brief assumption came to the conclusion that Vivilene managed to make a friend all on her own. "I hope my daughter didn't give you any trouble?"

Of course she wouldn't, but it was the best way to give an assessing question of should I trust you?

Attikias's eyes followed Vivilene's excited pacings. "Go ahead and put away the satchel, hun," he offered with another tussle of hair- if she wanted to, of course. His arm twisted like a tangled leash when she went around him, but she didn't want to let go, and so he didn't either.

"She's mine, yeah," he answered with a tilt down to her. He felt warm at that claim- she was his daughter, and he was her father, and they were family. Even just a few words coming to fruition to his brain was like a shot of dopamine.

But, her voice lowered and gave warning. Lost? Attikias gave another glance to Vivilene, worry prickling his skin and tugging at the tip of his tail. "Ah- thank you for finding her, then." His tone matched hers in wariness. "If you need anything, please, let me know. I don't have much, um- carvings..?" He made to walk towards his hut as he let go of Vivilene's hand.

He paused at the mention of another name. Dip..? "I... Don't look like anyone-" Brief worry snapped his mind to Astraea's words. This wasn't someone imposing their facts on him, though, not like that being from before that insisted on performing magic on him (what was their name again? hm). It was an honest remark, and he tried so hard not to stare.

Was Dip trying to cover her past like Astraea? But Azure had moved on, gave her name, and seemed to try and excuse herself, and Attikias could feel himself puffing up with self-righteous emotions. 'Hold on. Don't get defensive,' his mind pleaded. 'Too late,' his soul responded. His mouth opened to nearly interrogate, but Azure pointed out the gift and drew himself away from the thought of others like him around. Even Vivilene went to her. Vivilene... One of the few beings like him, and then he found out there were more?

He gave a soft laugh with nervous undertones. "Sorry, I- Don't think I've ever heard anyone say I looked like anyone but my family." He made to approach slowly, hands out as he reset his emotions yet again to one of friendly open-mindedness. "Vivi, you did thank her for the nice gift, right?"

He wanted to ask more about this 'Dip', wanted to tear away the information and wrench it from the caves, but the interpreter was simply one being who he wholly felt like he was intimidating a bit too much. "The offer still stands- if you need anything from us, let me know. If none of us are at the camp just leave a little sign or something and we can try to find you..? Where can we find you? Or, if you just want to see Viv again, you're always welcome." If he needed to ask about Dip, he could find her at a later date, when she didn't seem like she needed to be somewhere else. Besides, the little kid seemed to enjoy her presence. It'd be good for her to have some other adult figures around her life.

So, he was a bit like someone else. The news shook him for a second, stopping his brain and his idle motions as he attempted to even contemplate the other person. But- the more she was around, the further she seemed to get into anxiety, and Attikias's senses slowly attuned to it as her actions grew louder. "That's, um-" His hands clasped and his thumbs tapped together. No- let the other elf existing process at a later date.

"I'm sorry to hear about the dragons. Monoceros. I'll... Find you if I need you." Dragons- well, he knew Dread, and Bug (did Bug count), but were there more? He couldn't see Dread intentionally try to attempt murder. His brain snapped, briefly, to the knife weighing at his hip. Its curse held only societal implications and a must with no deadline. If only he could free himself of it in good conscience.

But, Azure still wished so desperately to be free of the conversation. "Um- Good luck." Maybe he could bring Vivilene to visit, just under surveillance the next time. His hand reached for Vivi as she approached to pat at her shoulder, glancing down to her. 'Say goodbye,' he almost directed, but she was nice enough to do so anyways, and Attik gave a soft nod and smile down to her.

He felt like he should say more and he shuffled in place. Should he wish her luck? No- he just did. His eyes darted to the side and he dragged his attention away to try and exit from the conversation for her while still remaining in place.