Talk Shop

Large azure and ash paws gently crunched through the grass and pebbles along the edge of the Firefly Lake while Artorias walked alongside Manea, following his gracious host as they enjoyed an afternoon stroll and conversation pertaining to their respective lives as alphas. It was still something the young brute was getting used to, chatting with wolves from all walks of life that were his peers in leadership, but the more comfortable he became with it, the greater those relationships he established were. Every alpha was unique and came from their own walk of life, and he found he could learn a lot from them, particularly from wolves like Manea. Their collaborations together so far had been very beneficial to the two of them—as they were to their beloved partners as well—the memories of the last time they'd all been together bringing a warmth to pool beneath the Aegis' cheeks and deep in his gut. He didn't know what Manea had planned for their time together, but something told him it would likely lead to a repeat of the Mendaciums' visit to the Hallows. If that was the case, then Artorias and Briar were in for a very good night with their hosts.

Warmed by the late afternoon sun, the two wolves strolled along the placid lake, Artorias watching the way the light shimmered off the surface. He had always loved water, ever since he was a pup he'd felt drawn to it. The waterfall, the rivers, the sea by their home, and now this lake... He couldn't explain why, he just did. Focusing on their surroundings also helped keep the brute's mind off the gorgeous sultry fae at his side and from reminiscing about how he'd seen her the last time they'd been together. Manea's voice brought his attention back to the violet alphess as she explained that they had just claimed the lake territory for Elysium. Artorias replied with an appreciative hum, following her aquatic gaze around at the lush land surrounding the scenic lake. "I can see why you did. It's gorgeous out here. Plenty of plant life, prey, a freshwater source, and it creates a solid border around your home." He cast a lopsided smile to Manea, fiery eyes shining with a playfulness. "Very clever planning. The Hallows recently claimed the Wildberry Grove just north of our lands for similar reasons. Good resources, but it also lets us gatekeep Auster to some degree. We'll know pretty much every wolf coming across the Bifröst." It seemed Manea shared a penchant for strategy as well, one Art could appreciate and admire.

Manea's pensive comments about the dissipation of Abaven turned Artorias' gaze to the opposite end of the territory, out past the border to the wild lands where the once-noble and ancient pack had resided. His lips turned down in a small, wistful frown as well. It still stung his heart to think about what had happened to Abaven, the ending of the renowned pack a grim reminder that nothing was permanent, and sooner or later everything that had a beginning also had an end. "The fall of Abaven was a shocking twist that blindsided us all. I know Theory personally, and it's not like her to just disappear the way she did. It's worrying to see a pack as established as shaven simply... fade away." Artorias breathed a soft sigh and shook his head. "Așa este viața." He didn't know the degree of relationship Manea or Elysium had with Theory and the late Abaven, but judging by the violet alphess' response, he assumed it wasn't in the degree of positive. "Had Abaven been giving you trouble lately?" he asked. The Aegis had never gotten to see the academy in action before it prematurely closed its doors. Was there some aspect of its presence that had put Manea on edge?

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