speedy paws

As soon as the two heard him, both Clove and the stranger looked up at him with a start. Clove flashed him an innocent smile, perhaps trying to ham up her adorableness or perhaps genuinely not realizing the importance of stranger danger when it was within their own homelands. Either way, his little girl came bouncing over to bump her head against his foreleg. Artorias welcomed Clove's affections with a warm smile to her, lifting his giant azure paw to rest on her back and hug her close for a moment before releasing her once more. He didn't want to be the overbearing parent who embarrassed his daughter in front of her new "friend" by coddling her too much. However, when Clove couldn't produce the name of the strange male she'd been hanging out with, well, it was cause for Artorias to raise a brow her way. The end result was both Carpathians looking to the yearling for an answer.

To the boy's credit, he was polite in his responses, and even a bit sarcastic in the face of an older and larger wolf. Art could find some semblance of himself in the lad's responses. The stranger introduced himself as Morgan Wilder, then thanked Clove for the race and offered to be on his way if he was causing trouble. All throughout the interaction, Artorias had been closely observing Wilder's behavior and body language, assessing the teen for any signs of dishonesty, deception, or ill intent. While he had made a questionable choice crossing blindly into pack lands, the Aegis could find no malice in his behavior, and he would not fault the adolescent boy for making a foolhardy decision and disregarding his own safety. This could be a valuable learning lesson, after all, and Artorias believed strongly in teaching over punishment.

Artorias' expression softened when Wilder offered to leave and he gave the boy a more welcoming smile, warmth returning to his fire opal eyes. "And ruin your fun time? Don't be silly, all are welcome in the Hallows so long as you come peacefully—and announce yourself so we know who's visiting." He chuckled and gave Wilder a teasing smirk and a wink. "Just be careful about blindly wandering into a pack's lands. Some others aren't as hospitable as we are." Looking down at Clove, he motioned with a tip of his snout to go back to hanging out with her new friend if she wanted. This would be a good opportunity for Clove to interact with wolves outside of her family and maybe make a new friend in the process. "You two have a good time playing. Just remember to stay within pack lands, Clove," he instructed the kids with a friendly smile. "Morgan, you're welcome to stay for a bite to eat before you leave if you'd like. If anyone hassles you, just tell them Artorias allowed you in."

With that, Artorias gave a whistle into the air. From the skies swooped down Corbin and Eira, the jet black and stark white ravens alighting on the dire brute's back with grace. "Fii cu ochii pe ei," he instructed his avians, who turned their heads to look over Wilder and Clove before croaking in understanding and took to the skies once more. Artorias knew his directions would be unknown to Clove, who only had her rudimentary Carpathian lessons, and to Wilder, who would be totally lost by his change of language. Knowing that his companions would keep an eye on Clove for him, Artorias leaned down aiming to nuzzle his daughter's forehead once more before turning to make his way back toward Hearthstone.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"