Working overtime

Balthier had spent his early days a new member of the Hallows more secluded and to himself. That wasn't really anything new for him but these days were harder for him. It may not have been seen by anyone else, more so because he hadn't made the effort to make friends or get to know anyone here. He had been easing up on his drinking some and it was always behind closed doors in the room he claimed in the castle. But he wasn't doing any better emotionally. Keeping to himself had built up walls around him though he didn't act so cold hearted in the least. He had been raised polite and he was generally a happy guy, but it was mostly a facade.

Artorias had set up a patrol with him and he had no problem with that. He didn't seem like the most social butterfly but it was easy to engage when others approached him. The winters that came across Auster were nothing new to him either so he wouldn't struggle through the light snow and chilly air across the lands. He'd join Artorias more than willingly with a soft grin once they met up. He too was equipped with his accessories for the patrol, they were not a new experience for him.

He'd wait for Artorias to take the lead before heading off, taking a gentle pace with him without any hesitation or even awkwardness. He may not have known the alpha too well, but he wasn't uncomfortable around him. It wasn't long after they had left the gates, but he did take a moment to muster up some conversation, "So... the pups are expected soon." He spoke with just a glance towards his alpha before keeping his gaze out in front of them. "Fun stuff." Balthier couldn't do much more than congratulate him, his own ambitions were far from starting his own family. And honestly if he thought too hard about it it would hurt his soul. Leaving Azzurra was the most destructive thing in his life, and while he loved his sister even past all the tension and sour memories up to his time joining the Hallows, he'd never have wanted to start a family with her for obvious reasons. Maybe reasons he felt like she wouldn't understand. He couldn't look back on her much anymore. But that's what the drinking was for.

"Balthier"