Si Vis Pacem...

The sound of claws clicking subtly against the stone floor made one black ear flick to catch the sound, Artorias' head turning from his unconscious brother a moment later to spot Gwynevere coming over to sit beside him next to Rudy's bed. He greeted her with a soft smile and gentle eyes, not saying anything at first either while she joined him. "How's he doing?" he asked after a few moments, turning his gaze back toward his brother. Once Gwyn had answered him, he turned his head a fraction of an inch to glance at her from the corners of his eyes. "How are you doing? How's your leg?" Yes, their mother had filled him in on the little bit of information she knew. That probably wouldn't surprise Gwyn too much.

Dropping his paws from Rudy, Artorias turned to better face Gwyn and meet her gaze with concern and love in his eyes while he looked her over. She looked terrible, if he was being honest. Her eyes seemed tired and distant, and her posture was tense and defensive. Whatever had happened to her, it had shaken up the ordinarily mellow girl something fierce. He didn't see any of that light of innocence in her swirling eyes any longer and it broke his heart. He had failed her. Now he had to make things right again.

"What happened, Gwyn?" he asked, his voice gentle yet protective. He didn't need to press her or interrogate her. She was still fragile—still a victim. But he'd be damned if he didn't do everything in his power to give her back some control in her life and bring her attacker to justice.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"