work work work

The hesitation and nervousness was clear as day on the face of his sister, but where it was coming from, he couldn't be sure. Artorias' brow furrowed when Avantika began to explain herself. She was scared? What did she have to be scared of? He fortunately didn't have to ask the question, because she provided the answer to him right away. He listened with quiet contemplation as she explained her feelings of feeling undeserving or unworthy of her place in the Hallows. The hesitation in her voice showed Artorias that she was speaking true and serious. His lips turned down into a sad frown. He didn't like hearing that anyone in the pack felt like they were undeserving of their place in his home, least not of all his own sibling.

Giving her a little crooked smile of empathy, Artorias shifted a little closer to aim to offer her a reassuring nuzzle to the cheek. He was thankful that she trusted him enough to open up to him about her feelings. The least he could do is make sure she felt acknowledged. "I had no idea you were feeling this way, Tika. Thank you for telling me." Art leaned back again to gesture to the castle behind her, then to the calm and peaceful lands surrounding them. "Look around. All of this... this peace that we know, it's all because of the hard work we put into keeping the lands safe and sacred. That's your hard work too. You worked hard to help us get established here when we moved in a year ago. You fought valiantly against Ashen in our practice raid. You helped bring down a mammoth during the long winter so we wouldn't starve. You fought against the saber cat attack. You suffered through the loss of our mother with us." He tipped his nose down just a bit so he could meet her nervous gaze with a loving warmth in his own fiery eyes. "I think the only wolf here who doesn't think you deserve what you have is you, Tika. Because from where I'm sitting, you've shown everyone that you're not just a hardworking member of the Hallows, you're a critical piece of it."

He hoped that Avantika might begin to see herself just a little bit differently once he'd laid out all of her accomplishments over the past year alone. There was no doubt in his mind that Tika had more than earned her keep here in the Hallows. She deserved to wear the Carpathius family name with pride. If only she could see herself the way he saw her. But that didn't make her feelings any less valid, and if Tika wanted something to make her feel more useful or less bored, he would be happy to oblige. "I'll tell you what, even with all of your achievements, if you'd like to do some extra work around the pack, I'd be happy to have your assistance. Are there any special tasks a Templar like yourself would like? Any special projects or ideas you've had? You have your Aegis' undivided attention."

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