Lingering Storm Clouds

Artorias was a little surprised by Briar's visceral reaction to the mention of her own middle name, the glare both amusing and starling the boy at the same time. Uh oh, had he struck a nerve unintentionally? Wait... was she blushing? Before he could inspect her any further, the Fatalis girl had huffed and tossed her head to look away from him, challenging his question with a snide response. "Nothing, nothing at all," he remarked, giving a scoff under his breath. "Just... never heard it before." He was still mulling over why the innocent question about her middle name had gotten her so upset when Briar went on to offer clarifying information about her father's obsession with her mother. The corners of Art's lips pulled upward in a smirk when she mentioned all her litter would be named Zee if Sirius had the chance.

"Well, if it's any consolation, I think it's a pretty name," he remarked. "But I like Briar more." There went his heart feeling like it was floating away again, only this time it was accompanied by nervous twisting in his stomach. Except he didn't have anything to be nervous about. Was he just worried about how Briar would take his response? He certainly didn't want to upset her again. The two reached the top of the stairs and Artorias led the way into the tower and the single stairwell that spiraled all the way up to the top.

When she nudged him, Artorias turned curious fire eyes to meet her cool turquoise, cocking his head as if to ask a silent "What?". His face turned into a wry, crooked grin when she asked his middle name, the boy shaking his head at the incredulity of their fortunes. Boy, if she thought it was obnoxious having her mother's name as her middle name... "I, uh... don't know if I should tell you," he said, pausing before adding, "I mean, if your name means your dad's obsessed with your mom, then I guess my mom is obsessed too, but with... uh..." He cast a sideways glance at Briar and finally answered her question. "It's Sirius." He winced a little, already dreading her reaction. Gods, he hoped this didn't make things super awkward now.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"