Duck duck goose

Being a stern teacher was hard! Artorias hated feeling like he had to be the bad guy when both pup and fledgling looked shamed and upset. He just wanted to love them both and make them both happy, but sometimes children had to be scolded to be taught. He remembered back when he and Rudy had been pups, how their mother had scolded them for sneaking past the borders unescorted. Sometimes love had to be tough to be sincere. Despite testing his resolve, Artorias maintained his facade until Sierra sighed and apologized to Zephyrus, and then his ward apologized in turn. Only once they had both issued their apologies did Art's expression begin to soften, returning to the familiar warmth and kindness he usually wore for the younglings. "There, that's better," he said, giving an approving nod of his head. "Things are much nicer when we all get along. That doesn't mean it's always easy, but it is better."

Artorias had thought that might have been the end of it and was prepared to send both kids on their way to play together (nicely, he hoped) but Sierra wrangled him back in by trying to assert what Zephyr was and ultimately failing. Artorias blinked surprised eyes to his sister while she looked to him for backup, then to Zephyr when the fledgling also looked up to him for an answer. Well fuck! He had no idea what Zephyrus was! He could only identify a few common breeds of birds around Auster and Boreas, and his ward was like none of them! How was he supposed to answer that question?! "Zeph is a raptor," he answered tactfully, hoping neither youngling would press the issue further for now. He really needed someone who was an avian expert to help him out. "A raptor is a large bird of prey, like eagles, falcons, and vultures. He's like a wolf to birds." Did that answer their question? He sure hoped so; it was the best he had right now! "Now, are you two going to play nicely together, or do you need the big, bad Aegis to stalk you all day?" he asked with a playful chuckle and smile.

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