Finding Friends in Unexpected Places

Artorias couldn't suppress the boyish giggle when Sirius' humongous paw ran over his crown. Everything about the man was gigantic and awed the boy! Would he get big one day like the older male was? Amber eyes shining bright with youthful enthusiasm while he listened, enraptured, to Sirius' stories, wondering just how this mountain of a wolf known as the warlord could ever possibly lose a fight—until Sirius explained the how. Artorias internally cringed, recalling one of his first fighting lessons about vital parts to protect, and how his sensitive bits were a vulnerable location some might go for. Turns out there had been more truth in that than he'd realized! That was an important lesson, one Art took to heart when Sirius repeated it again: nothing is ever certain. But you can do things to make it more certain... so the more certain I can make fights, the more certain my victories will be...! he thought to himself with a devilish grin.

"Oh boy, really?! That'd be so great, Mister Sirius!" the boy exclaimed with a happy bark and a waggling tail. Whenever his mothers had spoken of Sirius or told stories of their time in the Armada, they had always spoken with such regale for the man, and it was fast becoming apparent to Artorias why. Their two families were as close as kin, and almost one giant one since all their pups seemed to be the same age as himself and his siblings. The prospect of having friends so close to turn to, and likewise to have them visit their home, was a wonderful thought! He just hoped that he'd get along with the other pups as well. That certainly would be awkward if they didn't. He liked Sirius though, and he was the alpha of one of the strongest packs ever! Who better to hang around and study if he wanted to be a great warrior too? It was easy to connect with him though, and even if not related by blood, interacting with the hulking warlord felt natural and easy, and already he was hoping he'd get to see more of the Fatalis family.

Artorias was pulled from his thoughts when Sirius came down to his level again, meeting the firm yet caring blue gaze of the alpha with surprise but understanding. He nodded his head to the dire wolf. "I'll remember, Mister Sirius, I promise," Artorias responded, crossing his heart with a small paw. Although still young, Artorias took his promises very seriously. Resin had imparted on them at a young age the importance of keeping one's word. If Sirius wanted him to remember to come to him if he needed help, Artorias would remember that. Then, as if the nitroglycerin that was his excitement couldn't become any more volatile, Artorias nearly exploded when Sirius hinted to the possibility of the blue boy showing off his skills in a matchup once he was older. "Really?! Oh boy! Maybe we can train together too, and you can show me your moves, and then I can use them on Rudy and he'll never be able to beat me!" Ah, the fanciful flights of childhood... when the only matter of importance on his mind was beating his brother in a spar...

At Sirius' direction, Art perked his head up and bounded fearlessly into the bush, rustling through the leaves and branches until he burst from the other side to snatch up the stick in his jaws. Tiny paws trotted to carry him back around and present himself to the warlord, a proud smile on his face around the stick in his jaws held like a club, with a few errant leaves still clinging to his fur. "Ohay, wafsh dish!" he tried to speak around his weapon of choice, spreading small paws to shoulder width and assuming his battle stance. Puppy growls rumbled inside his chest as Artorias leapt forward and swung his stick like a sword through the air, slicing to and fro with every twist and shimmy of his body, sidestepping and strafing to cut down patches of dandelions and grass. While still rudimentary, it was apparent that the boy had taken to using weapons in his fighting style. Every few moves he would peer back at Sirius, making sure he was still watching but also trying to gauge his reactions. Sirius was a master fighter, just like his parents; he wanted to impress him too!