Behind the curtain

She glanced up when she heard him move, and offered a smile as he came closer. She closed her eyes, leaning into his gentle affection. Finding it new and sweet, a balm against the turmoil inside of her. Once again he gently pointed out that she didn’t need permission to do what made her comfortable. Even here, where he ruled as leader of the entirety of the pack.

She gave a rueful smile when he mentioned healing. A part of her had considered the Hallows to be perfect, but it was just a place. A beautiful place, that a lot of love and work had clearly gone into. With wolves powerful of heart, like Artorias and Briar. But it was a place, and arriving here didn’t magically give her all the answers. Maybe it would be better if he gave her barriers. Rules and regulations to give her a clear guidance in life as a slave, a thing. But that wasn’t Artorias’s way. It never had been, and here she was given what had been taken away from her so long ago. The question was, did she still want that? She leaned gently against the paw that cupped her chin, not quite meeting his eyes. “I hope you’ll forgive any mistakes I make along the way, my Aegis” she whispered softly. Everything here was new ground for her, the rules vastly different. “I am grateful for you, for you and Briar both.” she promised. In case that wasn’t clear in her confusion. She cleared her throat, and smiled at the other wolf. “What brought you out here so late?” Something had taken him from his bed as well.

"Speech"