undo what hurts so bad

Stay out of his way… Interesting. Ardyn’s pleasant expression remained on his features, brow points bumping upward as his head cocked at the Fatalis male, flaming light flickering through his fur with the movements.

However, he did seem to have made some small calming impact on the girl with his own actions, before Kotori blew that little bit of peace out of the water and went about ordering a frightened girl around… like a slave...

The King studied the girl, a brow lifting at Kotori’s words. Despite his so-called assurance that he wouldn’t hurt her, there were many ways to hurt someone. Not all of them had to involve physical harm. Despite Ardyn’s bland, pleasant expression, distaste coiled in his gut.

There was some recognition in the girl’s eyes at the brusque order – maybe there were similar words that meant the same in her language? However, she didn’t obey, and he noted the brush of her paw against a pendant he’d missed in his initial look at her; her fear had ramped up and she inched… toward himself; not for a moment taking her eyes off what she clearly perceived as a threat in Kotori.

His decision was one that must be made quickly; defend and protect, or allow her to be taken when she clearly didn't want anything to do with the Armadan? His mother had not raised him to stand by and let others be bullied when he could do something about it, and so, he made his choice.

He accepted the clear – to him – choice with a slight nod to the girl regardless of whether she’d see it or not, before he stepped up to stand beside her; not between the two, but close enough for her to duck behind him on her own if she chose to.

“She seems to think otherwise. And as such, I will be taking her to Valhalla in my capacity as its King. Normally, I wouldn’t interfere with another pack’s prospect of a willing new member, but she doesn’t seem to like you. Unless you have the authority – and the cruelty – to force her into the Armada against her will, I ask that you leave my new pack-sister be.”

His tone was light – even quietly conversational and cordial – but it was firm, watching the man but letting his senses remain aware of his surroundings; he’d caught scent of what could be companions on Kotori when he’d moved to order the girl around, and if the Armada wolf decided to be a problem Ardyn didn’t fancy getting jumped from behind or the sides. Lyr rustled his wings from the willows above him, of the same mind.

He didn’t like bringing someone into his pack when they couldn’t exactly make an informed choice, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of someone who wouldn’t take her feelings into consideration and be kind with her rather than pushing their weight around on someone weaker than they were.

Once she was more educated in the common tongue, she would be free to make her own choices to leave or stay. Hell, even a few hours from now if she wanted to run away from him, she could. But for now, he’d do his best to ensure she could choose how she lived.

Gently, he glanced at the small girl with a soft woof and tipped his head in a gesture to come with him, tail offering a comforting wag as he shifted toward the trees, intending to get her out of the situation and area to a place she could get her bearings in without having to focus on two possible threats at once.

He kept half an eye on Kotori; the respect given to another warrior. Respect as to the man’s character had to be earned and so far, he wasn’t impressed.

-attempted exit with Isara-

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think