What is real, what is fake

While he spoke, Artorias saw the wheels turning in Briar's head behind the turquoise jewels she called eyes. He wished he had the ability to peer inside her mind, to see what she was thinking in that moment. He wanted to be able to reach into her brain and fight those demons of self-doubt and uncertainty plaguing her thoughts. Though she was quiet while she pondered her situation, Artorias felt those sharp feline claws of hers sneak through his fur to scratch lightly at his back with idle absence. The boy gave a short, soft huff of breath at the pleasant tingles her claws left on his skin, his eyes fluttering a bit as she made little quivers run through him at her touch.

When Briar did eventually speak again and voiced her desire to attempt to rekindle a relationship with her mother, Artorias gave a slow nod of his head. "You don't need to have all the answers right now. Some things come easier when you just let them happen." He tilted his head to be able to meet her gaze, staring deeply into her turquoise pools with a crooked smile. Her words made a warm blush touch his cheeks and ears fold back bashfully. "No, I don't think fleeing to the castle will work this time, Princess," he teased gently, returning her soft kiss to her lips. "You know I'd never leave you to face anything alone. We've got each other's backs for the rest of time."

Artorias gave a little chuckle as another thought came to his mind. "I guess you're gonna have to properly introduce me to your mother at some point as your boyfriend, huh?" He shot her a roguish grin and licked the end of her nose. Meeting her parents as her boyfriend... That was going to be fun to navigate!

"Artorias Carpathius"