After you, My Lady

Briar chuckled and nodded with understanding as Mercury explained how the pair of foxes were currently in training. "Ah, that's probably the biggest difference then. Marigold found me when I was just a pup so I'm pretty sure she trained me more than I trained her. Hopefully they turn out less troublesome than mine is." There was an obvious affection and fondness in her tone when she was talking about her long time companion despite how she made the partnership sound, similar to how one might talk about an annoying sibling. She knew that the relationship she had with her long time companion was a unique one, but Marigold had been like an older sister for most of her life so she wouldn't trade the antlered fox for anything–even when she was being an ornery little problem.

"Oh, thank you," she said as Mercury reached for the bag she was carrying, deciding to not put up a fuss and allow him to help with it since she had a feeling he wouldn't have taken no for an answer anyway. He very much reminded her of Artorias in that way where if there was something that could be done for her they would see to it. Nodding to confirm his assumptions for their plans, she replied, "That's right! I've put a lot of focus toward perfecting a few recipes for wines and mead made from the berries and honey that we can get from the grove, but a grape based wine still can't be beat sometimes." She turned and began to make her way with him in that direction, following the path that was well known by her at this point with all of the trips that she had made to gather grapes in the early days of her wine making ventures. She had done her best to cut down on the number of trips she had to make since it did take up almost an entire day to do it, but sometimes it just couldn't be helped.

As they walked, making their way through the wilds of Auster, she glanced toward Mercury among their general small talk and friendly banter to fill the time. "Oh, I don't think I ever got to properly congratulate you on your promotion to Vanguard. Well done," she mentioned, giving him a smile. "It feels like you've made quite an impact around The Hallows already in a fairly short time. It's impressive." She was always glad to see others succeed in their pack and to give those that had an ambition a place to target that energy and it seemed that Mercury had taken to that better than most. "What is your background like, if you don't mind me asking?" she questioned curiously. "I know how much my Warlord of a father and growing up in a pack like Armada effected my work ethic so I'm always curious when I see others that have similar drive."

"Briar Carpathius"