Artorias had paid a visit to Fenmyre a few times now so Chimera felt that it was only fair that he paid a visit to The Hallows. Like the gentleman that he was, the massive man came bearing gifts for the pack that wished to be allied with his own. They weren't terribly far apart so it would be in both of their best interests to come to some sort of agreement. Besides, he liked Artorias well enough. Whether the young leader would be able to embrace the darkness within himself and find enough balance so that he could let himself accept an alliance with the devil... that was another thing entirely.

Chimera seated himself at the border and released a beckoning howl. He didn't care who came to fetch him as long as someone did. They'd damn well better hurry too. Ever moment sitting out here at the border was another moment of boredom. He would take advantage of the Hallows hospitality that he'd heard so much about. A pack that invite everyone in regardless of allegiance... How could that even work? Chimera had made his pack on a damn island for howls sake. Yet here were these wolves, just letting anyone in. Spies, enemies, thieves... Everyone was welcome at The Hallows. Well, as long as they had something to give him in return...

A yawn pulled from the brute and he shifted, sprawling out on his side and using the wrapped pack as an armrest. He held the pack under his elbow, holding the front half of his body upright. As he lounged, the man though. He wondered if he might run into darling Avantika again. The girl had really stuck to her guns. For a moment there he thought he was going to sway her and have her agree to bed him, but she'd denied him to the end. While it had been fun, once he was sure that her answer wouldn't change, she had become boring. Meeting her on home turf though... and as a guest? Well, he might very well be able to get beneath her skin again. Making her uncomfortable had been terribly amusing. He would just have to wait and see. And wait and wait... Didn't these people have ears?

"Chimera"

Avantika was in her room when a familiar voice bellowed across the castle. She didn't give herself time to think before running over as fast as she could. No one else in her pack was going to be alone with him. Not if she could possibly avoid it. She was running so fast so that she could be first, but also so that she wouldn't chicken out. She had to show that she was brave enough to help the Hallows, and she had to protect the pack members who didn't know who the monster was.

The king was sprawled out on his side, using a pack as an armrest. For a second, she thought he was injured and wasn't sure how to feel about it, but no, he wasn't. He was just lying on a pack border looking supremely unkingly. Well, he'd never been polite. She walked up to him, trying to hide her nervousness. "Welcome to the Hallows, sir," she said stiffly but politely.

"Speech"

The sound of quickly approaching paws pulled Chimera from whatever mental musings he'd been going through to pass the time. Much to his delight, the wolf to welcome him to The Hallows was Avantika. As the woman drew near, the beasts maw split in a grin. "Darling Avantika," the leonine king purred as he lounged like he owned the place. He made no move to get up right away simply because he was sure that she wanted this all to be over and done with. "How have you been since we last spoke? How did Artorias take the news?" A sweet smile on his face, Chimera actually batted his lashes as he showed mock interest in the girl's words. He didn't really care how Art had taken the lack of alliance. A woman couldn't be sent to do a man's job. The Aegis should have come himself. That was why they were still bullshitting rather than having the business completed already.

With a sigh and a stretch, the behemoth of a man rolled agilely to his paws. Hooking the ties on the thick package with one claw, Chimera tossed it so that it landed before the grey, gold and white woman. "A gift in return for the wine," The pack held a stack of waterproof beaver pelts. He'd worked the hides himself. Such items would come in handy once the wet winter struck Auster.

Now standing, Chimera was able to get a good look at the woman's face. It was pinched and sour looking. Like some old maid licking lemons. "Why Avantika, if I didn't know any better, I'd think that you weren't happy to see me again." One paw raised to rest upon his chest dramatically and the man gave his head a shake. "And here I've come all this way just to see you and your brother." Behind the man, his obsidian tail lashed languidly back and forth like a playing cat. It was all a game and Tika was his mouse. "Speaking of your brother, are you going to take me to see him or are you planning to keep me all for yourself this evening?" Again, Chimera grinned, flashing rows of wicked teeth at the frightened, and likely irritated, woman.

"Chimera"

Avantika really hated that Chimera smiled so much. It made her skin crawl. His purring voice was even worse, calling her 'darling Avantika'. She wasn't his darling. She wanted to say it, to scream it. She wanted him to act like a polite guest instead of the uncouth brute he was. But she couldn't say anything. She was too afraid to, and she hated that even more. He asked how she'd been and how Art had taken the news of the refused alliance. "He took it well," she replied. They didn't need this alliance, anyway, even if Art did want it. They'd been doing just fine on their own.

Finally, he stood up, tossing his package to her feet. She dipped her head in thanks for the gift, but the king kept talking. 'Why Avantika, if I didn't know any better, I'd think that you weren't happy to see me again.' I wonder why, she thought dryly. It wasn't that far of a journey, so he had no reason to complain. 'Speaking of your brother, are you going to take me to see him or are you planning to keep me all for yourself this evening?' If he said anything like that again, she was going to fight him, alliance or no alliance, fear or no fear. But she only nodded. "Of course."

She trotted away, fighting the urge to backpedal like an idiot so she didn't have to turn her back to him. Where the hell was Art?

"Speech"

Artorias had been out on a patrol near the northern edge of Hallowed lands when Chimera's call had gone out. He recognized the voice and quirked a curious brow. The king of Fenmyre had come out to visit the Hallows? What could have prompted that? From what he recalled, Chimera seemed quite keen on keeping to himself on his island paradise. Turning his course, Artorias began to trot across the plains and back towards the castle where the call had come from. He didn't want to keep their guest waiting, and he was interested to find out what brought Chimera to their doorstep, but he was on the other side of the territories.

The black and blue brute arrived shortly after—and saw that someone else had already arrived to greet their guest. Artorias' expression fell when his eyes fell upon Avantika. Of all the wolves that could've greeted Chimera, why, why did it have to be Tika?! Art let out a heavy sigh, already afraid to find out what he was walking into. Pulling up to the two wolves, Artorias immediately noticed Chimera's saccharine yet disingenuous grin and Tika's barely contained disgust and frustration. "Well well, who do we have here, Tika?" he said with a smirk when he approached, regarding Chimera with a dip of his head. "Chimera, welcome to the Hallows. This is a surprise! What brings you to our cozy nook of Auster?"

Artorias carefully positioned himself so that Avantika could retreat behind him or leave the conversation entirely if she wished. He had promised her that she would never have to deal with Chimera again if she didn't want to, and he intended to keep his word.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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The woman's annoyance was just so pleasing. She was giving Chimera everything that he wanted and she didn't even know it. The whole situation was comical to him. Especially because he had just been screwing with her this whole time. He didn't want to sleep with her at all. He just wanted to test her while getting his fun in.

Tika turned to lead him to Artorias and Chimera followed. A moment later the wolf in question arrived and the black and white brute grinned. At being questioned, Chimera stepped around Avantika to face the young Aegis. "Artorias. I came to return the favor." With a tip of his muzzle, he indicated the bundle of waterproof hides that he'd brought as a gift. "I couldn't help but rib your sister a bit. She's so serious." Casting his gaze to the black, grey and golden woman for a moment, Chimera grinned again. "A decent diplomat. No matter how much I tested her she stood her ground. She never swayed. A fine asset to your pack." What would she even think about being complimented by him? A true compliment. He meant every word.

With that said, Chimera's mismatched ears swiveled forward. "It's about time that you and I talk business, I believe." Tika hadn't acquired an alliance, but that didn't meant that an alliance was off the table. Solidarity in the south was worth something, even if their packs were on opposite ends of the spectrum.

"Chimera"

Artorias was there shortly. Avantika noticed his sigh. Was he mad at Chimera? He probably wasn't mad at her, but she still worried. He was polite as he spoke—a perfect host. Avantika wished she could hide her emotions so well. While the aegis was obviously a capable young man and able to fight his own battles, she wasn't leaving. No matter what happened, she was going to stay by her brother. She couldn't let him get hurt no more than the rest of the pack.

She stood near, at Art's side, as Chimera spoke. His ugly, slimy voice said he 'couldn't help' it because she was 'so serious'. She could be plenty fun, but not when she felt threatened. And not the kind of fun he'd seemed to want. He looked at her, and she tried to take a lesson from Art in hiding her disgust. She thought it was a decent attempt, but she still needed practice. She expected another jab or innuendo, and his compliment caught her completely off guard. She couldn't conceal the small smile of pride that arrived before she could notice. It was sickening that she was happy about his approval. 'A decent diplomat... A fine asset to your pack.' Everything she wanted to hear, from the mouth of someone she hated hearing anything from.

"Speech"

At Chimera's gesture, Artorias took a glance to the waterproof beaver hides, examining the bundle with a paw while their guest explained his unexpected arrival. The pelts were of fine quality and masterfully prepared. Chimera's skill as a hunter and tanner showed. Artorias followed Chimera's gaze to his sister, who by now had moved to stand to his side, and couldn't help but smirk as well. "Avantika is one of our finest wolves. An excellent warrior and a composed representative of the Hallows." He turned a much softer jesting smirk to Tika. "Although she can seem a bit dour, there's few I trust more to help protect the pack." It was no surprise Avantika had trouble with her emotions sometimes; it had been a fixture of her personality since they were pups. He wouldn't ask to change a thing of his sister though.

Although Chimera was a difficult wolf to read, Artorias knew when the man was being facetious and when he was speaking earnest. His compliments to Avantika were genuine and he dipped his head in humble thanks. The Fenmyre king had come to talk business, it seemed. That raised Art's spirits. It meant an alliance wasn't off the table. He knew Avantika wouldn't approve—hell, if the Hallows knew the extent of Fenmyre's purposes, he was sure many of them would disagree as well—but this was about more than personal feelings on the subject. What mattered was the increasing terrors that plagued the world in the long night and solidarity in the south. If someone were to try and invade, two packs standing together would bear a hell of a better chance than isolated. More friends was always better than fewer. This was also Artorias' way of reminding everyone that the Hallows was a neutral entity. Resin had established them to be accepting of all walks of life—that included Fenmyre. They did not have to agree with Chimera's beliefs or participate in his practices, but Art did expect everyone to withhold judgment, the same as they did for the Ashen empire.

"It sounds like we have much to talk about," he said, gesturing with a nod of his head towards the castle. "You'll join me for a meal and a drink, won't you? My mother had this tradition of receiving every guest with food, and I've found good drink tends to make wolves more amicable." As he turned to lead Chimera through the gates, he turned to Tika and requested, "Would you mind taking the furs down to the cellars and store them somewhere dry? Thank you, Tika." They wouldn't need the pelts until the wet winter season came, and he wanted to be sure they stayed pristine and well-preserved until then. Artorias led their guest through the gates and gardens toward the castle proper. "How have your wolves been? Are congratulations in order yet?" he asked, turning his head towards Chimera. He recalled that the brute had mentioned several of his women were pregnant the last time he had been there and hoped they were all getting along healthily.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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Now that Artorias was here, Avantika was forgotten. The blue man complimented his sister, then asked her to take the furs somewhere else, dismissing her from the little gathering. That was all fine and well. Chimera hadn't really come here for her anyway. He'd come here for business and business he would have. Coming up beside the young Aegis, the two brutes began moving towards the castle together. It was an impressive sight, but he much preferred the solitude of his island home. Much easier to fortify than a land locked pack.

Artorias spoke of a custom that his late mother had begun. Each guest was offered food and drink. A decent gesture for a pack of this sort. The other man joked about the drink and Chimera grinned, "Artorias, I'm always amicable." That was far from the truth, but oh well. If one of them could joke, the other could too.

Having been asked about the need to be congratulated, Chimera huffed softly. "I have three children and several more on the way. Apparently I'm aiming to produce my own army." The brute rolled his eyes and shook his great, blocky skull. "I can't stay away for long with so many pregnant women at home and all of this... strangeness going on." He gestured to the darkness in the sky and the glow that seemed to be pouring from everything now. "I've come to invite you for a visit so that we can fully discuss this alliance that Avantika suggested." The giants obsidian tail lashed back and forth. "Though I doubt she'll be agreeable to such a joining now."

"X"

A throaty chuckle escaped the young brute while he walked with Chimera, enjoying the witty banter back and forth. Artorias had always known his sarcasm would come in handy one day, despite his mother's often rolling eyes towards it when he'd been growing up. Chimera mentioned the number of children he had, and then mentioned he had more on the way, and Artorias nodded in surprise. Wow, Chimera certainly got around! No wonder he'd asked for support bolstering Fenmyre's defenses; that was a lot of puppies to try and wrangle. Artorias laughed when Chimera made an off comment about breeding his own army, a wry grin on the Aegis' face as he replied, "Well, you'll know they come from good stock that way." Artorias knew some of the major families and houses of Boreas. The Klein family had been included in his teachings, and along with his lineage, Chimera was certainly built to be a warrior. No doubt his children would follow his footsteps.

Artorias gave an agreeing hum and glanced up at the twilit sky. The words was definitely becoming a queer and dangerous place more and more with every day. Chimera would be needed back home before long. It did make the young alpha curious what brought Fenmyre's regent to his doorstep then. Chimera answered his unspoken question before he could ask it however, inviting him to Fenmyre so they could discuss the potential alliance to fruition. Artorias gave Chimera a knowing look and a confident smirk. "Fortunately for the alliance, Tika doesn't get the final say." He nodded to the monochromatic behemoth's offer. "I will be glad to meet with you to discuss details. As soon as I've secured the Hallows, I'll find my way over to Fenmyre. Before you leave, please take some provisions back with you, a gift from the Hallows for your ladies." He led Chimera into the castle to show him their food larders. He had much to prepare before going to finalize their alliance, as did Chimera, it seemed. But knowing that the man still had hopes for a unified Auster gave him hope.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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