Take Two

The wedding was turning out to be a tremendous success. Wolves from within the Hallows and their friends beyond their borders were all celebrating their big day with them and enjoying the revelry and feasting to be had. From the moment that he and Briar had set foot into the reception, Artorias had felt nothing but love and happiness from his family, his friends, and his pack. Briar was glowing, exuding radiant joy. The day was positively perfect. Yet there was one matter that remained to be dealt with—a small storm cloud on an otherwise clear skied day. Artorias had heard the hushed comment made by one of the guests in the Fatalis party, and if there had been any doubt that what he'd heard had been less than positive, spying Aslatiel making a hard beeline for the koi-patterned wolf that was snuggled up to Azure had been all the evidence he'd needed.

At the time, the Aegis masked his emotions in front of Briar, refusing to let her think anything was wrong. This was her big day, and she deserved to feel like the beautiful wolf she was, not cut down by some remark of a wolf Artorias only knew in passing, having not spent any time with Hanako prior beyond knowing her name. During the reception, he had made a point to avoid looking in the direction of Azure and his partner, not wanting to test his acting skills while he feigned ignorance to what he knew. He had already vowed to himself that he would not make a scene or bring it up during the wedding, that it was a matter that could be addressed after their nuptials and the honeymoon had completed. Above all else, Artorias wanted to keep this from Briar. She didn't need to know what mean spirited comment had come from her future sister-in-law on her own wedding day. That level of callousness had no place in the celebration of love and unity.

While Briar went out about the hall to mingle with her family and friends, Artorias remained at the head table, gazing out over the party with pride for his pack's efforts. He lapped at a cup of rich red wine, generally relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere, really drinking in the moment to remember it all as the years passed and his fur turned gray. Thoughts of the pending confrontation that would need to happen were pushed to the back of his mind—or they were, until movement in the corner of his eye approaching him caught his attention. Gold-flecked amber eyes turned to regard Azure, his gaze hardening a touch as his fellow alpha came to speak with him. At first, Artorias had expected this to be another menial exchange of congratulations from his new brother-in-law, but when Azure requested his audience for a moment, the young Aegis raised a curious brow. Well now, what was all this about?

"Sure, I don't see why not," replied the black and blue-furred wolf, rising from his chair to his paws and motioning with a tip of his head towards the corridor. "Let's find somewhere quieter to talk." Artorias began to lead the way away from the feast hall and out to the adjacent gardens for Azure to follow him, strolling across the stone terrace in the warm Austerian summer evening. No one else was around, giving the two wolves total privacy for what Artorias expected would be a very blunt conversation. Coming to a stop, Art turned and faced Azure as he dropped the facade, looking to the Armadan Champion with steely eyes that spoke volumes for what he knew. But he was not a vindictive or unreasonable wolf. Azure had asked for his time and Artorias would hear his peer out. "What can I do for you, Azure?" Simple and straight to the point. From what Artorias knew of Azure, the Fatalis man wouldn't keep him waiting in suspense.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"