The wedding was in full swing, the evening now crept across Auster and all the wolves that had come to celebrate with him and Briar well into the revelry. It was a jovial time had by all and spirits were high with everyone. But there was one little nagging bit of business the Aegis had to conduct before he could say he was truly enjoying his post-nuptial celebrations. As Artorias made his rounds about the great hall, chatting with and thanking everyone for their attendance, he kept an alert gaze out for Azure and Hanako. This was not a conversation he wanted to have, but it was one that needed to be done. His conscience wouldn't allow him to let certain things go unsaid without taking a stand for what was right. While he wished he hadn't heard what had been said at the wedding ceremony, having the keen ears of a wolf meant that he had heard every word. How anyone else hadn't would have been a surprise. Maybe they had and simply weren't addressing it. But Artorias was not them.

When he spotted the Fatalis alpha and his fiancée, Artorias strode up to both of them and greeted them with a warm smile. "Lord Azure and Lady Hanako, thank you both for making the journey! I hope you're enjoying the feast. I know how much this means to Briar to have her family and loved ones here with her." Respectful and welcoming. That seemed like the best place to start. Fixing the saber-fanged man with his gold-flecked amber eyes, Artorias spoke as naturally as he had greeted them. "Azure, I'd like to steal a minute of your time, please. There's something I'd like to talk to you about." The obsidian and azure wolf gestured for Azure to follow him with a wave of his paw towards the garden terraces, where they could have some privacy and speak in confidence. This wasn't something Artorias wanted to discuss directly in front of Hanako—though if Azure forced his hand, he'd have little choice.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

Azure was on edge, not only feeling out of place in the celebrations but recovering as well from the conflict that had brewed during the ceremony. Meandering through the great hall, he did his best to remain out of the way of both Indigo and Asla while remaining close to his fiance's side, expecting more backlash, and prepared to defend both her and their combined image. Artorias approached and gave to them both a greeting, requesting to speak to him privately. Azure's gaze fell upon Hana in brief indecision, though it returned to the Hallow's Aegis in the end. "Certainly." He agreed smoothly, placing a short kiss upon his koi-wolf's muzzle as he left her to her own devices. Tattered ears flicked backward while they walked, alert for whatever sounds of struggle might start in his absence. While the Hallows had a strict set of rules, Azure was not the most trusting of wolves even toward those he shared the mountain with. At the terraces, the dire wolf offered to the groom his full attention. The question lingered in his eyes alone, as it was just unlikely for Azure to voice a polite, subservient 'what can I do for you' as it was for him to bark a brisk 'what do you want' on the man's wedding day. "Speech"

Azure seemed to hesitate, yet agreed to Artorias' request for a private conversation, and came willingly as the Aegis walked beside his fellow alpha out into the warm Austerian summer evening. The terraces were clear at the moment, with only a couple guests milling about down in the gardens proper. Artorias turned a glance back to one of his warriors standing guard at the doors and dismissed him with a nod of his head. His sister had ordered all of the Knights on high alert for the wedding, convinced the Aegis was about to fall to some red wedding massacre, but Artorias knew Azure was a proud wolf from a proud family. They didn't need an audience and this conversation should ideally be over quickly. Once he had ensured they were alone, Artorias turned to regard Azure with as neutral an expression as he could manage, masking the slight he'd felt from the other man's significant other.

"I won't tiptoe around the matter, since you and I both appreciate directness," Artorias began. Though Azure's eyes asked the unspoken question, they both knew what this was about. "I heard what your partner said during the ceremony. Comparing herself in derision to the bride at her own wedding—my bride, and your sister." To be honest, Artorias was surprised more hadn't heard the comment either. The wolves could easily hear prey moving about in the woods from a mile away, but an off-putting comment from a few feet away went unheard? Or perhaps they were avoiding conflict. "I'm not one to dictate how others handle their affairs and I'm not asking for retribution. That matter is entirely your own to decide. However, I want you to know that I heard, that what your partner says directly reflects on you and your family—especially if she is the diplomat representing the Armada and she's to be a Fatalis too. Words, like actions, have consequences, and I'd be more concerned over if she says something that might be considered insulting while a guest in another's home." Thankfully, Artorias was a temperate wolf. Were he more ill-tempered, or not such a staunch ally of the Armada, this conversation might have been very different.

Taking in a deep breath and then releasing it as a sigh, Artorias released some of the irritation he'd been harboring all night long. This was the subtle art of diplomacy in action. "What you do from this point is up to you. I'm not seeking anything, nor am I going to tell Briar what her future sister-in-law said about her. I'm not going to ruin her day like that. But I do want you to know that she's soured her welcome in my home, and for our future collaborations, I'd ask that you not send her to represent the Armada to the Hallows." As far as he was concerned, if he never saw Hanako again, that would be grand. There, his piece was said. Artorias left the air open for Azure to respond as he pleased. He wasn't expecting an apology or a promise of recompense—he didn't even want that, per se—but he did expect some sort of acknowledgement from his peer.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"