When will I see you again

It was impossible for Artorias to not smile when he saw how Lia's life had turned around all from something as simple as him being at the right place at the right time to purchase her and free her from the life she had once known. Lia had definitely been getting more skilled with her healing practices, as even with the old stitching Iolaire had set up to aid her, she was done in a matter of moments. With the wound sealed and bandaged once more, Artorias felt more confident in a full recovery soonish. He didn't dare test out his leg by putting any weight on it, however; he wasn't quite that dumb to think he'd be miraculously healed. But hey, at least he wasn't bleeding all over the floor anymore!

Once Lia had washed her paws, Artorias took the bowl of water and proceeded to wash up his own leg of the dried blood clumping his fur together. He caught sight of the once-slave girl stealing quick glanced at him just as he had been doing to her to assess how well cared for she'd been. Was she startled by his sudden larger size? Was she intimidated by him now? He certainly hoped not, though given her past it would be understandable. Lia questioned him for clarity when he explained the origin of his wound. "Ah, yeah... The Hallows was attacked recently by a group of marauders. We repelled them easily, took one of their own captive in the skirmish. But the sneaky bastard managed to get a blade in my leg before he went down." Artorias lifted the foreleg she'd just been working on as if to emphasize his point with evidence. "Don't worry, nobody was seriously hurt and we've been re-securing our lands. The Hallows will be the safest place in Boreas or Auster by the time you and Briar move in, I promise."

Again, despite her best attempts to hide it, Artorias noticed the flush and embarrassed dip of Lia's head. Something was irking her, but he couldn't tell what it was. She finally revealed some info in a cryptic hint, mentioning how the Armada had been through a lot. He have a hum of acknowledgment while he considered her words. That did align with what he'd heard from Sirius, how the Armada had suffered great sickness and some casualties during the Long Night. The young Aegis was just thankful that Briar and Lia hadn't been counted among those that had been lost. "I understand. The past few seasons have been... strange and difficult for us all. I'm just glad you and Briar are whole and unharmed." Rising to his paws, Artorias stepped over to the bag of wines he'd brought for the birthday party and lifted one out, holding it out to Lia in a silent ask if she'd partake with him. He didn't know if Lia drank or not, but hey, if they were going to be sitting around talking and catching up, they may as well have a good drink to share stories over.

"Artorias Carpathius"