You're what all the fuss is about

Artorias' remark had gotten him exactly the reaction he had been hoping for: deep, hearty laughs from Asla and a flurry of embarrassment from a very red Briar. He snickered with unabashed amusement while he took the hit to his shoulder. It was deserved and all in good fun, so he accepted his repercussions. No doubt Briar would give him hell for it later, but it had been worth it. The ice was broken and he was off to a great start with Asla. Briar made the proper introductions between them and Artorias nodded his head to her in respectful greeting. He knew she was the Reaper, a position of tremendous honor and responsibility in her family, and she deserved the reverence.

"It's good to meet you as well, Asla. Briar's told me a lot about you." He shot a genuine smile toward Briar, ignoring how flustered she still seemed to be when she remarked about not being able to take him anywhere. He simply snickered again and shook his head; nope, he was probably going to be an embarrassment to her wherever they went just so he could provoke more of those cute flustered reactions from her. To Asla's non-question, Artorias gave an affirmative nod. "As best I can," he said while following Asla toward her den. "I'm still learning, but I think I'm doing all right so far. Though truth be told, she's been looking after me just as much." Between the extended winter difficulties and the passing of his mother, Briar really had been his support through it all. He relied on her as much as he tried to be there for her. The look he gave over to Briar shone with affection for the Fatalis princess. Losing her had been the greatest pain he'd ever endured, and getting her back had been his greatest joy.

Asla offered some of her hunt to them, and Artorias graciously accepted a bite, part out of politeness, and part because raw meat was not something he'd had in a long, long time. Almost all of the food in the Hallows came cooked or prepared in some way. There was a simple joy to enjoying fresh, bloody meat, and once he took over the pack, that would be going back on the menu. While Artorias swallowed his mouthful, Asla relaxed and began speaking to him and Briar again. Artorias gave a nod while he licked the blood from his muzzle while Briar responded first, lowering himself to lie on the cool grass as well. "I'm also spending the season with the pack, learning from your father how to lead a pack and how to be a successful alpha. I've just also happened to be getting my rounds of boyfriend death threats from your family while I'm at it." He grinned and waved a paw toward Asla. "Which you're welcome to join in on, if you'd like! Right now, Sirius has made the most creative death threat."

"Artorias Carpathius"