Puppy grunts and low sounds of strain seemed to echo around the silent courtyard in the heart of the castle as Artorias swung his sword back and forth in controlled arcs and slashes, the wooden blade cutting harmlessly through the air. The air was cool but didn't carry the bitter cold that Boreas had just before their move, a fact the blue-furred boy was happy for as it meant he could spend more time outdoors without his parents fussing or his paws feeling like they were going to fall off. It was early afternoon, and while all of the adults were off doing their own tasks and jobs, Artorias was focused on his training regiment, honing his footwork and technique with his sword. Resin had praised him on his efforts so far, but it wasn't enough for the boy. He had made his vow and would keep at his work until he was the greatest knight in the Hallows, able to protect his pack and his family from whatever threats may come.

With one particularly strong downward slice, Artorias smacked the faux blade into a bush, cleaving several branches off of it in the process. He dropped his sword to the ground, pausing for a breather, heavy pants filling his lungs with refreshing oxygen and leaving him in airy clouds of hot breath. Making his way over to the dilapidated fountain at the center of the courtyard, Artorias climbed on top of the moss-covered stone and bent down to take a long drink of the cool water pooled in the base of the old fountain. He peered around the castle walls, the battlements, the hundreds of windows and dozens of doors that led off into different parts of their monumental home. It still amazed the pup that this was all theirs; they were so lucky!

Although he had gotten used to training on his own, Artorias did wish one of his siblings or the Adravendi kids would make an appearance so he could challenge them to a spar. Practicing was good and all, but there was a thrill to actually getting to use and test his skills in practical combat that couldn't be beat! Rudy, Daphne, Ezra, hell anyone he could test himself against would be good right now! Sadly, it seemed like everyone else was busy today, even the adults, so he resigned himself to solo practice and hopped off the fountain with a little jump, snatching up his sword in his jaws and resuming his assault on the overgrown foliage around the courtyard.

"Speech" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

The weather was much more mild than that of the place they came from, but the thought of leaving his mothers grave was hardly something he was coping well with. He'd kept to himself, more than usual if that was even possible, and rarely sought out the company of others or even leaving the doors of the castle. It had been weeks since their move here and there was only so much of the castle he could take anymore, so he needed to get out. Maybe he could make a site here where he could remember his mother. It wouldn't be the same, but maybe it would work. During the nicer seasons he could collect flowers, but for now he would only worry about making the site and giving himself some place to grieve.

Coming out the grand doors of the castle, he could hear something going on not far. His eyes caught sight of Artorias jumping and lunging with some glorified stick and he rolled his eyes before making his way down the castle steps with the hopes of not being seen or caught by the boy that seemed hellbent on training with what he could only guess was a wooden sword. Grimshaw never saw the appeal in fighting with weapons when wolves were more than able to fight with what they were given, but he supposed this lot was something different and as strange as he thought it was, he was left to wonder how long he would manage against weaponized wolves with only his own teeth and claws. Perhaps the boy was smarter for training with a toy sword now rather than later, but that definitely didn't mean he would praise the boy for it. In fact, he was still keen on not being seen while he tried to make his way past the boy to get own with his own personal task.


"Speech!"

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He hadn't heard Grimshaw slip out along the outer pathways of the courtyard in amongst the noises he was making with his training. What Artorias did notice however was the black shape of the boy skulking his way past when he spun during one maneuver, doing his best to not be noticed, as he always did. Art eyed the boy for a brief moment, debating on whether he should even bother interacting with his "brother" or not. The boy had been nothing but mopey and aggressive since he'd been brought in by his parents, and he couldn't say he cared much for the other boy's presence in their family—especially not with how much time he spent around his little sister. His brows narrowed and he turned away from Grimshaw with another practiced swing, trying to ignore the sour feelings the dark-furred boy brought up. How could someone be so ungrateful to be such a jerk to the family that had taken him in, cared for him, given him their own family name! What, were they not good enough for him? They had to be better than whatever terrible parents abandoned him alone in the world that his mothers had to step in and save his butt...

Out of the corner of his eye, Artorias watched as Grim slunk by. He was half tempted to just ignore him as he always did and let him go about his way... but something his mother Resin had said stuck in his mind, gnawing at his conscience. They were a family—all of them. Family looked out for family. Whether he liked him or not, Grimshaw bore the same name as him now. He wasn't going anywhere, and ignoring him wouldn't solve the friction between them. And so, with a heavy sigh, Art sheathed his sword across his back and turned to find the stealthy Grim again. "Hey, Grimshaw, wait up," he called out to the other pup in as neutral a voice as he could manage, slow steps closing a bit of the distance between them. He didn't really know how to address Grimshaw given their lack of interaction before, but given how explosive the boy had been with Rudy, he knew what one outcome could be. "I didn't tell you at the feast, but... welcome to our family. You don't have to keep being on your own anymore, y'know. If you ever want someone to talk to or play with or train with, I'm here."

Artorias briefly considered how to properly extend an olive branch without feeling like he was invading Grim's personal space, trying to be tactful without being cold. It wasn't easy, especially given who he was trying to deal with here. "Are you going exploring somewhere? Want someone to tag along?" He paused for a beat before adding, "Or, y'know, I could use someone to help train with if you like fighting." With any luck, something he said would break through the stony facade the shadowy pup always wore. Amber eyes searched Grim's face for any signs of reactions, hints to silent body language he might be able to use to understand his adopted brother better. Like it or not, Grimshaw fell under his realm of family to protect now too, and he was going to do his damnedest to do that without being overbearing like Rudy.

"Speech" | Thoughts | "Corbin"