Find me where the wild things are The morning was new and the day was promising as Trixy made her way with Frank from her temporary digs for the castle outskirts. The breeze from the sea was cold but it didn't bother her. Auster was her home and likely always would be. Her grin was in place as always, a beam of light in this dark world. She hadn't seen Art since she was a yearling but still held great respect for the man and hoped he remembered her. She had once spoken of treaties and alliances and while this wasn't a political visit she still felt maybe it might show him a little of how she had grown and what she was capable of. Over Frank's back was his saddle and attached to the horn of it was two crafted cages, one holding the extra quail she had caught and the other a pair of Muscovy ducks. She had worked hard to catch them alive and get them to calm down enough she could see them being useful to the hallows. She had covered the quails to keep them calm but the ducks were on full display ushering quieted quacks as they moved. The sound was pretty and she could see the Hallows possibly wanting them for a garden pond or a good source of large eggs. Miss Briar, if she remembered Sir Artorias' wife's name correctly, might even find them to be an enjoyable pet. Though their meat would also taste good if that's what Artorias wanted to do with them. She made to stop at the border before announcing herself. She then seated herself in the soft powder underfoot as flakes gently fell from above. She had other matters to discuss other than just the ducks and quails with Artorias, she wanted a Raven and wanted to see how he felt about a potential alliance still. She knew he had no reason to ally himself to her but maybe if she did end up taking a pack he would enjoy the alliance. But she hoped maybe this would be the start of such a thing. For now she would wait for the Lord of Cinder to appear, hopefully it wouldn't take long. Walk, "Talk", Think Bellatrix Ravenwood

_{Art by SterlingRaven}

The cold winter was foreign to Auster, but not to Artorias. He remembered the ice age of yore, back when he had been but a yearling during the Hallows' first year of existence. Hopefully this would not be a repeat of that dreadful time. He knew how to care for his wolves and his home through the cold season though—fires were kept burning in the castle's many hearths round the clock, windows were buffered with thick curtains to keep out drafts, and hot meals and drinks were readily available to rejuvenate those who spent time out in the snow. The Hallows had endured and survived many a winter before; they would survive another one without issue.

Artorias was refueling the fire in the Grand Hearth with some fresh logs when Bellatrix's call came in for him. The familiar voice perked the Lord of Cinder's ears, pleasantly surprised by her visit. He hadn't seen Bellatrix since the fall of Norad and was glad to see she was still alive. After replenishing the fire with fresh wood, Artorias threw on his cloak and stepped out into the snowy world outside. A light flurry of snow had begun to fall from the heavy gray clouds overhead, adding fresh powder to the already thick blanket of white that covered the land. Bellatrix's violet form stood out vividly against the blank white canvas of snow at the edge of his borders. Art approached the tiny wolf, his dark form also standing in contrast with the clean white snow, and as he came near he smiled at her.

"It's good to see you again, Bellatrix. Welcome back. I hope you and your family are well," he greeted his unexpected guest, warm amber eyes moving from her over to her reindeer companion and the cages containing the fowl attached to him. A brow raised curiously. "I'm guessing there's an official purpose to your visit, hmm?"

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

Find me where the wild things are The wait didn't feel like it took to long. Artorias was as prompt as ever to apear and her lips broke into a massive grin upon seeing the man she thought of as a sort of mentor and friend. She knew her form stood out in the snow but so did his and just about everyone else's for that matter. His greeting brought her own greeting to him in return. "Good to see you as well Sir Artorias! Sadly my father was taken hostage earlier this year by a band of slavers along with another from the pack he's been staying with, and my other father Tanelan has gone missing as well. Beauregard has been returned thankfully but suffered a broken leg and some abrasions, Lucette the healer he was taken with has been seeing to him though so I look to see him likely up and about in a season or two." She wasn't sure if there was too much information but since Artorias had been nothing but kind it never hurt to tell him anything. He was after all a good friend and mentor. At his mention of this being an official visit she nodded her head and gave him a massive grin, one that spoke of her being up to something again. After all getting a companion that could watch her back from the sky would be a grand first start. "Well I was hoping you might be able to use some quail and a pair of Muscovy ducks, and maybe you might have a raven your family has trained and are willing to part with as fair trade? I have exactly three quail and a pair of ducks if it sounds fair to you." She was sure with as many children as he had he would likely read that grin and know she was up to something but she wasn't about to spill just yet. After all why ruin the surprise that would soon be coming to Auster. She had worked her ass off and mastered her trades mostly, and she was set on raising Norad once more. Walk, "Talk", Think Bellatrix Ravenwood

_{Art by SterlingRaven}