Following their reconciliation up at the falls, Artorias found coexisting with the Armada wolves significantly easier now that he didn't feel a need to tiptoe around avoiding Briar. It had been so easy for him to fall back into the same routines they'd shared before their breakup. If anything, the emotions and bonds he felt for Briar had grown stronger for it, and now the Carpathius boy knew he would never allow Briar out of his life again. He had sent Corbin south with a message for his mother to let her know he'd arrived safely and that he and Briar had mended their rift so she wouldn't worry about him too much. Naturally, they would have to be a little more careful about the openness of their affections with her giant of a father stalking around the plains, but for the most part, balance felt like it had returned to his life once more.

True to his word, Artorias had already begun to make plans to help Briar with her fighting training so she could feel more confident about herself and her abilities. That was the point of his training in the Armada, after all: offer to others his knowledge and experience while also learning from them. He'd already shown success training wolves when he'd taken Ezra from angsty teen to proud warrior and winner of the Ashen tournament, an achievement he shared proudly with his apprentice. Now he was doing the same for Lillith, and he would continue with Briar.

As had been the norm lately, Artorias and Briar were wandering Armada territory together, coming from a patrol of the borders that also gave him a chance to familiarize himself with his temporary home. Unbeknownst to her though, Artorias had led them on a divergent path towards the beach, intent on starting their training together today. They arrived to the sandy coast and waving ocean just as the dark clouds overhead began to gather into a dense blanket. The occasional clap of thunder could be heard overhead, but hopefully the rain would stay away long enough for them to at least complete a spar to show how much each of them had learned since they'd fought last as little puppies.

"You know, I've been thinking a lot about the things you said at the falls," he said to his lover as he stepped onto the sand, giving her a sideways smirk and a scheming look in his eye. "And I've been thinking... It's been a loooong time since our last spar. Probably, what, a year or so now? You never did get that rematch you demanded, and what better way for me to see how much you know, soooo..." Letting his words trail off, Artorias took a couple quicker strides forward to turn and cut off Briar with a playful gleam in his fiery eyes and a wide, toothy grin. "What do you say, Princess? Do you accept your knight's challenge?" As if on cue, a deeper rumble of thunder sounded overhead, nearly making Artorias laugh with the absurdity and drama of it all. But the looming threat of rain wasn't going to make him change his mind. "We could make a wager too. Keep things fun and interesting!"

WC: 541 / 1500

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Ever since they made up and mended their relationship, Briar had spent every moment she could with Artorias and it only helped her to realize how foolish she had been to ever let him go. He helped her feel so much more at ease. Smiles came easier when he was around. There was still a lot that she needed to work through in herself and she knew that, but it didn't feel as overwhelming when Artorias was with her and his presence alone reminded her that she truly meant something to someone and that gave her the motivation to work harder and not give up. She refused to think about the fact that when the season was over he would have to go back to The Hallows and they would have to go back to living in different packs, traveling back and forth to see one another. She knew it was still a couple of months away at this point, but just thinking about not getting to live her life with him and do this small things like patrols or just wandering through the territory together like they were now made her sad. She didn't want to think about that right now though. For now she tried to just enjoy her time with this boy that she loved and just be grateful that he loved her in return.

She didn't really pay attention to where they were going, letting Artorias set their course, until she noticed that he had led them out to the sandy beaches where the training areas were. She gave him a curious look and saw that plotting, scheming look in his amber eyes and immediately knew he was up to something. He brought up what she had said to him before and how long it had been since their last spar, making her realize the only time they had really sparred was when they were pups. She groaned at the thought of that spar, how badly she had lost but also how arrogant she had been back then. She still grinned though, thinking about how they had known each other for almost all of their lives and how even despite how she had been to him growing up he had still found a way to love her. Briar smirked as she listened to Artorias as he built up the fact that he wanted a spar, pulling out all the drama as he darted forward to spin and face her and cut her off, forcing her to stop as she chuckled at that playful look in his eyes.

He challenged her to a spar as she expected and as if on cue the thunder from the building storm rumbled in the distance, making his elaborate showmanship even more ominous and ridiculous at the same time. She grinned back at him, barely holding back her own laughter as well, and humming thoughtfully at the idea of a wager. Her own self sabotaging thoughts immediately assumed that she would lose, and while that might be true given their difference in training and skill, she forced herself to not fall into that trap. He was obviously trying to make this fun for her and she didn't want to ruin this moment with her own doubts. Instead, she focused on the idea of making a wager for their fight and tried to think of something to suggest. There were some obvious ones, like whoever won got a kiss, but she tried to think of something more interesting than that. Something that was really worth fighting for.

"Alright," she agreed with a chuckle, giving him a playful grin. "How about..." A thought crossed her mind, not that far off from her original thought, but a little more risqué and something she knew Artorias would definitely be interested in. Her face flushed a bit as she gave him a sly grin, crossing the little distance between them to bring her muzzle up to his ear, whispering even though they were alone on the beach. "Whoever wins gets to decide what we do the next time we're pleasuring each other," she offered, catching his gaze with another grin. "With no rules," she added after a moment, a knowing look in her turquoise gaze. She knew why her sister had warned her about not having sex till they were older and if she won she might still abide by those rules, but she loved Artorias. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together so she trusted him. She gave her lover another smirk before she turned to go back to where she was standing across from him and started getting into a fighting stance even before he even officially accepted her wager.

WC: 798
Total: 1339/1500

"Briar Fatalis"

He loved seeing her smile, loved seeing her laugh and giggle at his antics, but mostly he loved seeing her happy again. Briar had been in such a state when he'd seen her last at the Ashen festival that it did his heart and soul good to see her well and truly happy again. Now it was his goal to keep her that happy all the time, and it started here, with helping her get her skills to where she wanted them to be. Briar agreed to his challenge and Artorias' eyes lit up with delight. She started to think of a wager for their fight, and when she came to one, he saw her expression shift to a much more suggestive grin, a gleam in her eye catching the boy by surprise as she came right up to him, so close that her scent overwhelmed the smell of sea salt on the gusty wind.

Briar's whispered suggestion of a bet made Artorias' heart skip a beat and his eyes widen in surprised delight. Whoever won got to decide what they did the next time they pleasured each other, without rules or restrictions? He blinked a few times, staring at her with shocked amber eyes, but the slowly growing grin on his face betrayed his true emotions. He thought briefly of all the possibilities that might include. Briar had told him the first time they'd been together about her sister's warning about abstaining from sex until she was much older, but the smirk on her lips and that devilish look in those turquoise eyes he adored suggested that she didn't want to wait any more. Still in a state of stupor while Briar sashayed back to her position and got in her fighting stance, Artorias grinned back and shuffled his paws to get into his own battle ready stance.

"All right, Briar, you're on!" Artorias flashed his teeth in a wider grin, then narrowed his eyes and growled at her. "Don't hold back on me now, princess!" A flash of lightning over the sea and another clap of thunder boomed across Boreas. Thick, heavy raindrops began to pelt the earth, starting with a dribble, then slowly growing to a more steady sprinkle. When it became apparent that this would turn into a full downpour, Artorias didn't waste any more time. With a growl, he charged at Briar, rapidly closing the distance between them. When he came closer to her, he dove forward and kicked his legs out in front of him, falling gracefully into a slide that kicked up sand as he skirted around Briar's side. He caught his paws on the ground to stop his slide, then pushed off and lunged for Briar's back leg, jaws open wide to try and snap down on her thigh. He aimed to get a hold of her leg and throw her off balance so he could toss her to the sand and get her off her feet.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Briar Fatalis for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator

WC: 495
Total: 1834 / 1500

"Artorias"

Briar knew Artorias wouldn't have any complaints about the wager that she offered, but the look on his face as he processed what she told him was still priceless. She grinned and chuckled, happy that she could catch him off guard and delight him so much. The roll of thunder and the rain beginning to fall around them kept her focused on the spar at hand instead of letting her thoughts roam to what might come afterward and it was good that she kept her attention where it needed to be since Artorias wasted no time getting the fight started while the rain started to soak her coat. Artorias charged at her at she kept her defenses set and legs slightly bent to be ready to evade whatever he threw at her. She knew Artorias always had some kind of quick, dramatic move up his sleeve so she tried to be prepared for anything. Sure enough, he ran toward her and leapt toward her side before almost immediately skidding to a stop in the sand within reach of her back leg. As he dug his feet she was already moving, turning and pivoting in the sand to pull her hind legs out of his reach and keep herself facing him instead. She attempted to catch him before be was able to shift as well, making it so she was perpendicular to him, and she went to grab his foreleg between her teeth, angling her head so that her antlers would block him from trying to bite near her head or neck in retaliation. She aimed for the lower part of his leg under his elbow so that she could try to pull him off his feet with a hard tug backwards. Briar Zee Fatalis vs Artorias Carpathius for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Medium Mutation 1: Antlers (small) - Offensive Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual Specialty: N/A "Briar" | "Marigold" | "Willow"

Artorias was disappointed to find his teeth made no purchase on Briar's leg, snapping only on empty air as the Fatalis princess skirted around his opening attack. She moved fast, positioning herself to his two o'clock before he could maneuver on her. She came at him, and Artorias felt the sting of her teeth grab at his foreleg, drawing irritated growls from the young wolf. Ordinarily he would reach over and try to grab his opponent by the neck in this situation, but he couldn't do that with Briar, the small rack of antlers preventing him from going for her scruff. Wait... her antlers!

The two made contact as the rain began to fall more heavily, starting to soak Artorias through his fur. The moment Briar grabbed his foreleg, Artorias took his opening, turning his head to try and grab Briar's antlers in his powerful jaws and with his free paw close to the base where they met her skull. In their close quarters, she would either have to relinquish her hold on them and reset their positions or end up in a grapple with him holding her by the head. If he managed to grab her antlers, Artorias would begin to pull and thrash with all his might, twisting to use the leverage on her head and the soft terrain of the wet sand to throw Briar off her paws into a pin before she could yank him off of his.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Briar Fatalis for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator

"Artorias"

While she did get the hold on his leg that she wanted, just as she started to pull back she felt resistance on her head and suddenly he was pulling and shaking her head from a grip he had on her antlers. She growled and fought against his tugging, digging her claws and toes into the wet sand to try and keep her footing. She refused to let go of his leg so the more he tugged and thrashed the more he would just make her bite into his leg. The harder the rain fell though the harder it was to keep her footing on the loosening sand and eventually she tried to take advantage of that by shoving her weight forward, instead of trying to pull him over. Even if she went down with him, she wanted to knock him off of her antlers and hopefully land on top of him so she could pin him down. Briar Zee Fatalis vs Artorias Carpathius for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Medium Mutation 1: Antlers (small) - Offensive Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual Specialty: N/A "Briar" | "Marigold" | "Willow"

And the winner is...

BRIAR

ARTORIAS must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Art: Rolls: 95, 41, 12, 12 Adjusted rolls: 99.75, 43.05, 15, 12 Total: 212.25 Briar: Rolls: 80, 53, 77, 33 Adjusted rolls: 96, 55.65, 77, 39.6 Total: 321.90

Artorias knew his move had been risky. He had tried to use Briar's own natural advantages against her, to turn her antlers from a boon into a weapon to win the fight. In doing so, he had left himself unstable, thinking that perhaps he could throw Briar to the ground before she could realize what was going on and retaliate. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't what happened at all. As soon as he grabbed Briar's antlers and began to pull at her, the Fatalis girl was surging forward, throwing all of her weight at him. Artorias yowled in surprise and tried to stabilize his footing, but thanks to the wet sand and the heavy rain, he ended up slipping and tumbling backwards. He felt Briar's body collide with his, sending him sprawling across his back. Suddenly there was weight on his chest, knocking the air from him with an "oof"—and then he was gazing up at Briar.

Amber eyes blinked wide with shock as she pinned him to the beach. He gazed up at the brilliant turquoise eyes shimmering with triumph and realized he'd been beaten. With no chance of resisting or retaliating, Artorias groaned in defeat and collapsed back to the damp sand, breathing hard while he peered up at his lover. "Okay okay, you got me! You win!" He laughed softly and shot a proud grin up at Briar, watching the way the rain dripped from her silky fur and how each flash of lightning illuminated every hue of blue and green in her eyes. "What were you saying about being a terrible fighter, Princess? 'Cause you just got me flat on my back like it was nothing."

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

As soon as she felt Artorias start to slip she let go of his leg, hoping to possibly catch herself, but she still went down with him as he slid and hit the wet sand. She landed on top of him though and she moved quickly, pressing her weight into his chest and pinning him down under her. She was panting as she stared down at him, half expecting him to thrash and struggle and try to get out form under her, but a few moments slipped by and it slowly began to dawn on her that she had won. She blinked a few times with surprise, a smile slowly pulling across her features while a mix of disbelief and triumph filled her gaze. He flopped back, confirming her win, and her tail wagged excitedly, stunned speechless at the development. She had a hard time believing she'd ever win a fight, much less against Artorias.

She gave him a bashful grin when he commented on her doubts and her statements about how terrible she was at fighting, insisting that she had gotten him onto his back so easily. Her own inner doubts wanted to insist that it was only because of the rain or because of the slippery, unstable surface of the sand that she had won, but she bit the comments back, knowing that Artorias wouldn't concede to them. She scoffed softly and gave a little shake of her head as she continued to catch her breath from the quick, but intense fight. She chuckled and leaned her muzzle down to his, replying, "Shut up and let me claim my prize." She didn't want to talk about how she had won, she only wanted to celebrate. The more she thought about it the more she would continue to pick it apart and she didn't want that to ruin the fun that she had created for them in their wager.

She caught his lips in a kiss while the storm continued to rage around them, another clap of thunder reminding her of the terrible weather that had interrupted their fight. She kissed him hard, but she kept it brief, pulling away again with another grin. "Come on, lets get into some shelter." She climbed off of him and helped him back to his feet before she ran toward the barracks, knowing that was going to be the closest shelter to where they were on the beach. It was also where her father had set up a place for Artorias to stay while he was here training so there would certainly be begging and things for them to be comfortable while they waited out the storm.

Briar hurried inside with a relived sigh once they were finally out of the rain, giving herself a good shake. There was no way she'd be able to easily dry completely at this point with how soaked they got so she'd just have to wait it out and let her coat dry. But in the mean time... She turned to Artorias with a grin and kissed him again, her tail wagging behind her. "Now the question is... What do I want for my prize?" she questioned against his lips, amusement and desire in her turquoise eyes. The one nice thing about the raging storm outside was the fact that between the heavy rain and the thunder there was no chance of anyone outside the barracks hearing them in here so as long as the storm continued on they would have a secluded place to do whatever they wanted. Still pondering and considering, Briar moved over to Artorias' bed, laying down on the furs and looking up at him expectantly to come join her.

"Briar Fatalis"

Artorias loved how proud Briar looked to finally win a fight on her own merit. The brightness and smile on her face made his heart flutter and race, more than any fight ever could. Briar stole his breath, his heart, every part of him. She told him to shut up so she could claim her prize, and Artorias had never felt so aroused to be commanded in such a way. He was eager to press his lips back to hers, the rain and storm around them all but forgotten until a loud crash of thunder overhead reminded him of the danger they both might be in. Their lips parted and Artorias glanced down between their bodies at the swelling sea as harder waves smacked into the shore near them. Yeeeeeah, that's getting pretty bad... He glanced back up at Briar when she suggested their find shelter, and he nodded in agreement, rolling to his paws and pausing long enough to shake the sand from his coat before running after her away from the beach.

He was starting to get familiar with the Armada lands by now, so he knew Briar was leading them both back to the seaside barracks. He ducked into the barracks right behind her right as another clap of thunder and flash of lightning illuminated a sky so dark it was almost night. He shook his coat as dry as he could get it, but just like Briar, he would still be damp for a bit. With his coat clinging to his body, he glanced outside at the grasses whipping like crazy in the wind. Whew, that's one hell of a storm! Turning his eyes back to Briar, he was immediately met with another kiss that made his heart skip a beat, a goofy, content grin settling over his face while his tail swished so fast behind him it was almost spinning. She questioned out loud what she wanted for her prize for winning, that goofy smile turning far more sly at the implications of her words.

"Hmmm, decisions, decisions..." He chuckled under his breath and watched with a lively energy in his fiery eyes while Briar made her way over to his bed and lay down, giving him a 'come hither' look with those stunning turquoise eyes. Still grinning, the young brute made his way over to the bed where his lover lay in wait, making no effort to hide the way his eyes roamed over her body. Just like him, her damp fur clung to her form, showing off every natural curve and dip of her body, emphasizing her feminine frame. Briar was beautiful in every right of the word, and Artorias would have been content to spend the rest of the day just staring at her, drinking in her presence. Luckily for him, he could do much more than that.

With the storm raging outside and the barracks empty of any other trainees, Artorias and Briar were in their own little private world together. He finished his approach and lay down beside her on the soft, warm furs, his gaze meeting hers once more in close proximity. He snuggled close to her, feeling her warmth and her fur mingling with his. Artorias lifted a paw to rest on her side, claws extended to gently part through her fur and lightly graze across her skin while he followed the curve of her waist from side to belly, then back up again. "So what does your heart desire, my Briar?" he asked in a low, husky voice, already feeling that nag of hot desire starting up in his gut.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Briar grinned as she watched Artorias move toward where she was laying on the bed of furs, feeling her heart flutter with excitement, desire, and for the first time since their first time laying together like this a little bit of nervousness. The way his amber eyes roamed over her like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen made her grin wider. Sometimes she wished she could see herself through his eyes. The way he looked at her like there was not a flaw to be found, as if she was everything he ever wanted, took her breath away. Between the high she was living from finally winning a fight and the absolute, undeniable love that she was floating on as she snuggled up to her Blue Boy, Briar was the happiest she had ever been. As her boyfriend laid down with her, settling into him with her paws slipping around his neck with her chest pressed to his and his paw following her side, she knew that this was exactly where she was meant to be. She was meant to be with Artorias, sharing everything with him indulging in the love he gave her.

The husky tone of his voice when he asked what she desired made her already burning need for him flare even hotter and she grinned, brushing her muzzle against his while she made her final decision. She already knew what she wanted even though it surprised even herself. She had been so set on following the rules given to her from the start of when her and Artorias started exploring these more intimate things together, but now she wasn't so sure. She had seen how excited he had gotten at the thought of getting to experience the only thing she had kept forbidden when she added that possibility to their wager and secretly she had almost hoped he would win so she could have the excuse of the decision being in his paws. Wonder of wonders she had managed to win and now she was forced to grapple between wanting to obey they rules and wanting everything they could do together.

"I want no rules..." she whispered against his lips after a few moments of thought, the daring rebellion in that statement making butterflies in her stomach go into a whirlwind. The unknown made her nervous, but not in a scared way. She was excited and anxious, but she wanted him. She wanted this boy she loved with all of her heart and she wanted him to have all of her just as she wanted all of him. She pressed her muzzle to his, sinking into a deep, passionate kiss that eased some of her nervousness as it was burned away by wanting and desire. Just like anything else they did together, they experimented and they learned together, finding their way to the most unbelievable and wonderful pleasure while the storm outside kept them hidden away from the world.

-- less wholesome fade ---

"Briar Fatalis"

Artorias had waited in eager anticipation after he asked Briar what she desired most. They had both uncovered a whole new world of unspoken pleasures and experiences with one another and he fully expected her to choose one of the couple ways they had explored already. But what she whispered to him, barely audible even to him above the pouring rain and pounding thunder took the boy entirely by surprise. Briar had always been so obedient to rules, never going rogue or straying outside what she had been told. Asla had told her to explore all she wanted, but to reserve sex for when she was older. Now she was asking him to drop the walls, remove the barriers—no rules. His strong heart skipped a beat, then another as his mind processed her demand. She wanted him wholly, just as he wanted to give her all of his love and make her his in entirety. Jittery, excited nerves started up in his belly, but so too did that pull of instinctive desire. The shocked expression on his face slowly melted away to an exhilarated grin as he realized this was the moment he would get to claim Briar as his.

His muzzle found hers in that deeply passionate kiss, tongue gently roaming her mouth while he gave himself to his desires, sinking into that bottomless ocean of passion and pleasure he was fast becoming familiar with. He was ready to give all of himself to the girl he loved with all his heart, the wolf that had taken possession of his heart and soul, the fae that had become the fire in his blood and the ghost in his mind. Paws roamed over each other's bodies, exploring and experimenting between heavy breaths and quiet gasps as he pulled Briar's body closer to his, following instinct and her audible guiding with every sound she made. As he sank into her and the two became one for the first time, Artorias found Briar's neck with his lips, placing delicate kisses over the scars on her throat. He held onto her through the entire act, one paw around the back of her head and the other wound around her waist, never once releasing his hold on the wolf he claimed as his while they explored this new world of absolute pleasures with one another, lost in the total privacy of the storm for as long as they wanted.

- most wholesome fade -

Artorias flopped to his side, still clutching Briar tight to his body as he panted like he'd run a marathon. His heart raced in his chest, yet at the same time had never felt lighter. His head still swum in all the sensations he'd discovered with Briar and a pleasant tingling numbness settled over his entire body. Amber eyes gleamed with life and love while he gazed into the eyes of his lover, memories of how she'd looked in the throes of pleasure playing back in his mind. She had never looked more beautiful to him than she did in this moment, still entwined with him, their fur mussed and matted. A wide grin made its way over his face while he brushed a gentle paw over her cheek, pulling her closer to him while he rolled to his back so she could use his chest as a pillow, making sure to not poke himself with her antlers while he maneuvered them.

"I love you, Briar..." he whispered to her in the quiet and dim barracks, clutching her body as close as he could while covering the top of her head in ginger kisses. "I love you so, so much..."

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Briar settled into Artorias when they were done, a wide dreamy grin across her lips as he pulled her into his chest. She didn't regret the decision to lift away their rules in the slightest. It was hard to see this as anything but the best decision she had ever made as she floated on this cloud of wonderful, beautiful pleasure that being with Artorias like this had given her. She enjoyed all the intimate things they had done together so far, but this was by far her favorite. When he rolled onto his back with her draped across him she chuckled softly and nestled into his chest, letting her eyes close contently. Nothing in the world could ruin this moment for her. Everything was perfect in this little sanctuary that shielded them and let them bask in their love for each other.

His whispered words and kisses across the top of her head made her grin again and she tipped her head up to be able to leave a few gentle kisses along his neck. "I love you too, Artorias... I love you so very much," he replied just as softly, enjoying how he made her heart soar. He made her feel like the best version of herself and the way he looked at her with so much love and like she was the most perfect thing he had ever seen was all she had ever wanted. She wrapped her forelegs around him while he held her more tightly, holding on to him as if she thought he might drift away if she didn't. He was hers and she was never going to let him go.

"Briar Fatalis"