Every Mistake

Perhaps it would have been the better decision to leave Duchess after the intense moment they'd shared back in the hidden grotto behind the falls, but Artorias couldn't bring himself to just up and abandon her. He didn't know why; he certainly didn't owe any allegiances or loyalty to the petite purple seductress. But something about her kept him from just turning tail and leaving. Maybe it was his incessant need to care and protect, to make sure she was okay. Maybe it was something far more primal and biological that he was trying to ignore that kept him following after her, forcing his eyes to remain on the ground in front of his paws, lest he look up at the way her hips swayed and sashayed as she walked. Whatever it was, the young dire brute followed his guide out of the waterfall caves and further out west.

He didn't say anything to her for a while, not entirely sure what he could possibly say when he still had the taste of her lingering in his mouth. Eventually, she led him towards the mouth of a large cave. Artorias had never been to this part of Auster before, far more south than he'd ventured, and he knew nothing of the cave system she ducked into. Raising a curious brow above fire opal eyes, the giant of a wolf followed the galactic nymph in, almost entranced as he walked behind her. The cave itself was mostly just dark and otherwise unassuming to look at, but it did have a strange musky smell to the air the further down they went. Duchess glanced back at him briefly, then hurried forward deeper into the caves.

"Duchess," Artorias called out to his companion, still not entirely sure what he even wanted to say. Maybe it was to apologize—but what did he have to be sorry for? Maybe it was to make sure she was okay, even though she was clearly put off. Whatever he thought to say, it was suddenly gone from his mind. Every thought was. Artorias blinked and furrowed his brow, wrinkling his nose against that musty smell again while he followed after her, seeking those duo-toned eyes that had smoldered for him only moments before. Something didn't feel quite right about this place, but he couldn't put his paw on it just yet.

"Artorias Carpathius"