No more long goodbyes

The birthday party she shared with her family had been the perfect way to end out her time in the Armada. It had created memories that she would hold onto for a lifetime and gave her one last chance to see her littermates all in one place again. She knew that she'd be visiting the Armada frequently enough, but it did feel like she could finally turn the page and start a new chapter as she stepped into her life as a fully grown adult. Even though it had been tempting to go back to The Hallows with Artorias the day after the party, she decided to hang back for just a few more days to make sure that everything was in order and nothing was being forgotten. It also gave her a chance to say any of her last "goodbyes" that were really more like "see you laters" without Artorias there. The only thing about that decision that complicated things just slightly was the fact that the season fully switched into Boreas' summer which meant that the rainy season began in Auster and she fell into her first heat.

As much as she might have appreciated having her father and brother and whoever else had considered coming along for the journey to help carry the few belongings she was bringing with her originally, the thought of spending that long walking with them while she was feeling like this didn't exactly strike her as a great time. She just wanted to make her way to Auster as quickly and easily as possible with Lia in tow so that she could get settled in with Artorias. Of course Aslatiel's warnings would forever ring true in her mind and she made sure that Lia prepped her with any contraceptives she might need before they went which was also something she most certainly did not want to discuss around her father. She went through the things she packed and narrowed them down, realizing that she had certainly over packed considering they were going to the castle that already had most of these things, and packed everything into a smaller cart that was easy enough for even Lia to pull and she set out with her friend and handmaiden in tow.

The trip was plagued by scattered showers as they moved south, but luckily she had thought to cover all of their belongings with a fur to protect them—and to hide the sword that she had been so eagerly waiting to present to Art when they arrived. Luckily the clouds cleared as they neared The Hallows border and she gave Lia an excited grin. "We're finally here!" she said with a wag of her braided tail. She knew Lia would be excited to see Artorias again as well and Briar was eager to see her handmaiden's reaction to the castle and to get to take her up to her favorite tower for the first time. She loved this place so much and finally she was going to get to call it home. As they reached the border she tipped back her head and called for her love, continuing their way across the plains toward the castle to meet him half way.

"Briar Zeitgeist Fatalis"