r/AmItheAsshole

Artorias chuckled and settled into this easy demeanor of informality with Modesty, curious what the Raid Queen had on her mind. He wouldn't be kept waiting long for his answer; Mod began by explaining that she had meant everything she said at the alphas' meeting. Of that, Artorias had never had any doubt. If there was one thing he knew about Modesty, it was that she was a straight shooter. She didn't mince words, she didn't play games or act coy. She spoke her mind and wore her opinions outwardly. It was refreshing to know someone so violently true to themselves that there was no obscurity to who they really were. The news of what happened at their most recent raid with Valta got a cringe from Artorias, his ears flicking back on sympathetic reflex. Yep, that sounded like the Fatalis sense of justice. "That sounds like Kotori..." mused the Lord of Cinder, uncorking the bottle of wine and taking a sip of the semisweet red liquid, offering the bottle over to Modesty to share. "The Fatalises aren't exactly known for their mercy, or forgiveness when they feel they've been wronged." It was one trait that he was glad Briar hadn't inherited from her father.

Remaining quiet while Bellamy outlined her grievances or indifferences with each of the other packs that had been in attendance at the meeting, Artorias silently realized he was getting a rare glimpse of how the Raiders saw the world. This was Modesty's perspective of their peers; this was how her pack saw themselves and everyone else. Mod named Bellamy the true problem, the real enemy amongst Ethne. That didn't surprise Art in the least. He'd heard from both Modesty and Bellamy herself how her aggression had been the catalyst that set things in motion, the domino that toppled the row. The news of the secret raid that was launched by her children to liberate Gilgamesh from Ethne did catch Artorias' intrigue, and he listened with a raised brow and a cheeky smirk on his lips as the Raid Queen admitted to using his meeting as their cover. A hearty laugh left the dire brute; he wasn't even mad! "Very clever use of the situation, Modesty. How is Gil?" Now Art was curious about the Raid King's condition, and he looked over to Modesty to enlighten him.

The news of Gilgamesh's condition was grim, but at the very least he was still alive. That brought some relief to the Lord of Cinder, grateful to know no lives had been lost in this blood feud yet. "That is... comforting, in a sense. A living wolf is easier to fix than a dead one." Art turned his fire-toned gaze over to his host. He still wanted to help them if he could. "Sakana is undoubtedly a talented healer, but may I offer one of my physicians lend a paw with Gil, or Siduri, or anyone who needs it? If for nothing else than to help alleviate the load on Sakana." Truthfully, Art wanted to see if his physician who had tried to help Sid and Gil before could continue her work to ensure nobody died in this conflict, but that would be entirely up to Modesty to accept or refuse the Hallows' aid. But there was a greater question on the Lord's mind, one aspect he keenly noted Modesty did not address yet. "And how are you doing, Modesty?" During all this conflict and strife, had anyone even asked her how she was? As a leader, it was expected for them to stay strong in the face of adversity, but Artorias knew better than most the great cost leadership demanded from those in charge.

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