OOC: These events occur immediately after this post and during that thread.


Artorias was thrilled to not only be out in the Armanda grasslands and exploring a new terrain, but to also be surrounded by so many new wolves his age too! His mothers had told him and his siblings stories of their times in the Armada, and of their friends who still lived over there. One of those wolves was the renowned warlord alpha of the pack, the wolf who had trained and been trained by Resin and Tamsyn, the massive lupine mountain that dwarfed everyone else at the playdate, including his mother Resin—and Artorias had thought Resin was huge! Sirius had greeted the boy with gusto, and although the pup was still in awe at the size of this wolf, he was happy to finally get to meet Mom and Mama's friends from over the border.

While the other pups had begun to explore and mingle with one another, the black and blue-furred pup hung close to Sirius, just taking in the dire wolf with fascination and amazement. Despite his size and those saber teeth, Sirius looked and acted like he was here to play too! Although the boy knew he was going to head off to play with the other pups Sirius had brought with him at some point, he had been wanting to meet this staple of his parents' stories for so long! "Hello, sir! My name is Artorias!" Artorias barked gleefully when the much larger male crouched down to meet him at his size, remembering to mind his manners like Mama Tamsyn had told them to. Tiny tail began to wag behind him when Sirius asked what he thought of the Armada. "It's so different here! It's not as high as back home, and there's a lot of grass, but it's cool! I can see for so far!"

In the midst of his excitement, Artorias had been unconsciously been stepping closer and closer to the warlord. Bright amber eyes were alight with life and curiosity as he studied the man, from the white marks over his left eye to his tremendous teeth. "Mom says you're an alpha like her, but you're waaaaaaay bigger! I bet you win every fight, right?" Artorias wanted to hear stories from this wolf too, and play and run and chase with him. He and his siblings had never known a father figure in their lives, Resin filling in the role as best she could despite her cool and stony demeanor, but Sirius gave off an entirely different energy, one that was brand new. It was fresh, and Artorias was intrigued by the man.

"Speech" | Thoughts

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.
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It seemed Sirius had found himself a little cling-on, as he moved about the party, ensuring no pups got into mischief and everyone was having fun, he realised that Artorias was clinging to him like his own personal shadow. The boys formal greeting forced him to swallow back a grin as he appraised the son of his almost mother and closest friend. In some very convoluted way, this tiny puppy was related to him in the same way his sister Io was. Through Resin, and adoption choices. What a strange, strange world.

“It’s good to meet you, Artorias” he returned, holding his crouched down pose as the boy came closer and closer, until they were just about nose tip to nose tip. “That’s true,” he said solemnly “It’s a lot flatter here” he wondered if the boy had been allowed at the top of the fall yet. That would give him a wonderful view.

“I am an Alpha, my title here is called ‘Warlord’ and well most of the fights I enter, I win, occasionally someone still gets the best of me.” he chuckled, but then, no matter your skill, there was always every once in a while you lost a fight. Sirius preferred not to think of them.

It still surprised Artorias just how easy it was to talk to Sirius, despite the brute's outward appearances. But wasn't that the point of one of Mama Tamsyn's lessons? Don't judge a book by its cover. Although the dire wolf looked more than capable at rending him to tiny pieces, there was a softness and warmth in the way he spoke to the boy, a humor that put Artorias at ease. Sirius explained his title and role in the pack, and the blue-furred pup found himself enthralled with the mere presence of the Warlord. When Sirius mentioned winning only most of the fights he entered, Art gave him a skeptical look. Surely he was just being humble, right? He couldn't imagine anyone being able to beat the big wolf, the same way he couldn't imagine anyone beating his mothers. Then again, he was still new to the path of a warrior, and had a lot to learn still.

"But you're so big! And your teeth look so cool! How could any wolf beat you?" They were innocent words of a naive pup unwise to the ways of the world yet. "Plus you're the Warlord. That means you're the best in the Armada, right? Mama always said you were the best warrior, and if everyone in the Armada is a warrior, then you're the best of the best!" Artorias turned his gaze out to find Tamsyn when he mentioned her. His mother had (usually at his request) regaled them with the stories of her time as a General within the Armada. Artorias had treated those stories like guides, drawing inspiration from them, internalizing them. He was going to be a knight just like Mama Tamsyn. And if Tam had learned from Sirius, then that meant he was going to be just like Seer too.

Turning amber eyes back to their host, Artorias closed the gap and booped his nose playfully into the dire wolf's, marveling at how just the size of the man's nosepad was almost the size of his whole face! "I like it here, it's so wide and open! And you get to be near the beach too! Do you think maybe we could come visit again after today?" he asked, bouncing back and dropping his front half in a playful stance, tail wagging like a black and blue blur from his rump. "Oh, oh! Someday soon, Mama's gonna train me to be a knight, just like her! And then I can show you what she taught me!" Realization dawned in his eyes, extinguishing some of the enthusiasm in his fiery orange irises. "Oh, but you probably know it all already, since you taught her."

Artorias thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to impress the Armada alpha. If he wanted to be the greatest knight to have ever lived, he was going to need the support of all the best warriors, including his parents and Sirius. This was his first chance to show off what he could do for the seasoned veteran. "Oh! I could show you my secret fighting technique!" Artorias exclaimed, looking around the dense grasses for a stick. "It's not perfect yet, but I'm working on it every day! Um... do you have any sticks nearby?"

"Speech" | Thoughts

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.
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He chuckled, and swiped a paw over Art’s forehead, just like he would any of his own brood. “Well, lets see… One of the few fights I lost was to a tiny healer with no training. Want to know how I lost? I got cocky. I believed I could beat anything, and he went right under my belly and put his claws on my no-man's-land.” he laughed softly at his own expense. “That’s an important lesson to be learned, and that no matter how good you are, there's a measure of luck to it. The more you train, and the more you learn, the more control you have over the outcome, but nothings ever certain.” He explained softly to the younger wolf. But that was a hard lesson to learn, and one you didn’t really get until you experienced it for yourself. “I am the best warrior, and I’ve trained myself to be. If I fought a wolf, nine times out of ten, I'd beat their ass. It's the tenth time you have to worry about.” The excitable puppy booped his nose into the Warlord, and spoke about visiting again. “Of course Art, your family. Both of your mothers mean the world to me, and that means if you need help, you can come to my borders and find it alright?” he crouched down low, looking across at Art with serious eyes. It might not stick now, but he wanted the blue wolf to remember that for later in his life. If he was in trouble, he could come here. “Oh, no, no. Every wolf has a hundred teachers. Every fight she’s ever been in, every lesson she’s ever taught, and her style will change just that little bit. The longer we are a part, the more likely you are to surprise me with what you’ve learned” he wiggled his brows at the younger pup, inviting the evential match that would come when the boy was older and wanted to test himself against the Warlord. He raised himself to his full height, and paired around. “There, just behind the bush to your right, there's a stick.” he advised the midget. "Speech"

Artorias couldn't suppress the boyish giggle when Sirius' humongous paw ran over his crown. Everything about the man was gigantic and awed the boy! Would he get big one day like the older male was? Amber eyes shining bright with youthful enthusiasm while he listened, enraptured, to Sirius' stories, wondering just how this mountain of a wolf known as the warlord could ever possibly lose a fight—until Sirius explained the how. Artorias internally cringed, recalling one of his first fighting lessons about vital parts to protect, and how his sensitive bits were a vulnerable location some might go for. Turns out there had been more truth in that than he'd realized! That was an important lesson, one Art took to heart when Sirius repeated it again: nothing is ever certain. But you can do things to make it more certain... so the more certain I can make fights, the more certain my victories will be...! he thought to himself with a devilish grin.

"Oh boy, really?! That'd be so great, Mister Sirius!" the boy exclaimed with a happy bark and a waggling tail. Whenever his mothers had spoken of Sirius or told stories of their time in the Armada, they had always spoken with such regale for the man, and it was fast becoming apparent to Artorias why. Their two families were as close as kin, and almost one giant one since all their pups seemed to be the same age as himself and his siblings. The prospect of having friends so close to turn to, and likewise to have them visit their home, was a wonderful thought! He just hoped that he'd get along with the other pups as well. That certainly would be awkward if they didn't. He liked Sirius though, and he was the alpha of one of the strongest packs ever! Who better to hang around and study if he wanted to be a great warrior too? It was easy to connect with him though, and even if not related by blood, interacting with the hulking warlord felt natural and easy, and already he was hoping he'd get to see more of the Fatalis family.

Artorias was pulled from his thoughts when Sirius came down to his level again, meeting the firm yet caring blue gaze of the alpha with surprise but understanding. He nodded his head to the dire wolf. "I'll remember, Mister Sirius, I promise," Artorias responded, crossing his heart with a small paw. Although still young, Artorias took his promises very seriously. Resin had imparted on them at a young age the importance of keeping one's word. If Sirius wanted him to remember to come to him if he needed help, Artorias would remember that. Then, as if the nitroglycerin that was his excitement couldn't become any more volatile, Artorias nearly exploded when Sirius hinted to the possibility of the blue boy showing off his skills in a matchup once he was older. "Really?! Oh boy! Maybe we can train together too, and you can show me your moves, and then I can use them on Rudy and he'll never be able to beat me!" Ah, the fanciful flights of childhood... when the only matter of importance on his mind was beating his brother in a spar...

At Sirius' direction, Art perked his head up and bounded fearlessly into the bush, rustling through the leaves and branches until he burst from the other side to snatch up the stick in his jaws. Tiny paws trotted to carry him back around and present himself to the warlord, a proud smile on his face around the stick in his jaws held like a club, with a few errant leaves still clinging to his fur. "Ohay, wafsh dish!" he tried to speak around his weapon of choice, spreading small paws to shoulder width and assuming his battle stance. Puppy growls rumbled inside his chest as Artorias leapt forward and swung his stick like a sword through the air, slicing to and fro with every twist and shimmy of his body, sidestepping and strafing to cut down patches of dandelions and grass. While still rudimentary, it was apparent that the boy had taken to using weapons in his fighting style. Every few moves he would peer back at Sirius, making sure he was still watching but also trying to gauge his reactions. Sirius was a master fighter, just like his parents; he wanted to impress him too!

"Speech" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

The boy before him was blessed with two of the greatest women he knew as parents. But if he ever needed a little fatherly guidance, the Warlord was there to lend an ear and a piece of advice. “Very good” he told the young blue wolf, as he promised to remember. The boy was as energetic as a squirrel that had been chewing on coffee beans. Almost vibrating with his need to learn and grow. An admirable trait, and the Warlord chuckled softly. “Of course” he agreed, knowing he would be all too happy to take Art under his wing any time he got the chance to. When he gathered his stick, Sirius rolled back on his hunches, watching Art. “I’m watching” he promised, and did so as the boy took the branch ‘sword’ and sliced his way through the undergrowth. With a chuckle, Sirius lunged forward, swiping gently at the stick, giving him a wolven target to smack with his accessory. Even as he reared back, he looked down at Art with a mischievous glint in his eye, and rolled his ankle just right. Slipping out the blade hidden in his bracer, and pausing. Careful not to let the boisterous pup cut himself on it, but also giving him a chance to examine the sharpened weapon and contraption if he so wished. "Speech"

Under the watchful gaze of the warlord, Artorias performed his combat fundamentals, running through the checklist of everything he'd learned so far. His footwork, his posture, his balance, making sure every movement was followed through, although clumsy puppy paws and still developing muscles made it less of a fluid dance and more of a bouncing sort of motion. Sirius' chuckle made Art smile brighter, and when his chaperone joined in and presented himself as a target, Artorias wasted no time. With a spin, the pup lunged toward the dire wolf, smacking at the massive paws whoever they would swipe back at him. Every contact would vibrate the stick in his jaws, adding a new challenge in the form of making sure he didn't lose his grip on his weapon between strikes. He also had to try and dodge the big paws coming at him now, laughing as he jumped side to side to avoid an incoming swipe from Sirius.

Artorias dropped his front half in playful fashion, tail wagging in a blur behind him while he watched Sirius, lively growls still coming from him while they play-fought. It was a nice change of pace to be able to play with an adult. With his pack being so new, all of the adults were always so focused on training them or tending to their work. It was necessary, but it got sooooo boring! Fiery amber caught the roguish sky blue in the man's, but before Art could wonder what Sirius was up to, a sudden flick and the sound of a working mechanism stole his attention. The silver of the steel blade protruding from the man's bracer caught his eyes, which grew to the side of dinner plates. "Whooooa!" exclaimed Artorias, the stick falling from his gaping mouth while he stepped closer to inspect the weapon.

Delicate paws reached forward to touch the flat side of the hidden blade, the steel shockingly cold beneath his paw pads. The way the metal glinted in the sunlight was brilliant, but what truly captured his focus was how the weapon functioned. "That's so cool!" He glanced up at Sirius from between the brute's legs with amazement. "Did you make this?" Artorias studied the blade, paying attention to how the metal was shaped and sharpened. Maybe something like this on the end of a stick... or a stick made entirely of metal like this... Already the boy's mind was racing with creative possibilities for himself, trying to picture himself older, wielding something like that into battle.

"Speech" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

It was a surprisingly effective weapon, it gave the pup reach, and a wolf's jaw was a powerful thing. Instead of using it for rendering, he used it to hold his stick steady, and put some force into his blows. “Oof!” The Warlord said at a particularly effective hit rapped his knuckles. He continued to swipe at the boy, making his motions particularly slow and clumsy. Giving the pup plenty of time to duck out of the way of his bloews. At the appearance of his bracer-knife, Art froze. The stick falling from his maw, utterly forgotten. The Warlord held still, letting the son of his Grandmother touch the cool steel. “I did, all the warriors of the Armada forge their own weapons - with help, if required. Would you like to make something, Art?” He asked. He was young yet, and if he made something with metal, he would be able to keep it until he was an adult. But Sirius would be happy to make the trip to present the weapon to him when he was a year. "Speech"

"Wow..." Artorias echoed again under his breath. All of the warriors of the Armada craft their own weapons. That was such a fascinating concept to the young boy. To be able to create something unique to oneself and use it every day with practical and devastating efficiency... Art delicately ran his small paw over the flat edge of the bracer-knife, admiring the smoothness of the metalwork and how intricate and beautiful it was. He was still too young to fully appreciate the ingenuity that went into making it, but in that moment, the boy knew what he wanted to be. He would be a warrior, strong and brave, ready to defend his family, pack, and home with a blade, just like Sirius did.

Sirius' offer to help him make a weapon of his own was met with wide, wonder-filled eyes as the excited boy beamed up at the massive wolf. "Oh boy, really?! I'd love to! That's so cool, thank you!" he exclaimed, practically quivering with excitement. Yes, of course he wanted to make his own weapon! And if Sirius was helping him, he just knew it was going to be something good! And he already knew where he wanted to begin. "Can I make a sword? Like, a real sword? Mama's always calling me her little swordsman. But one day I won't be little, and I'll need a proper sword and not a stick, right?" He paused for a moment to take a breath while a realization dawned on him. "Would you be able to help me, Mister Sirius? No one else in my pack has weapons like your pack does. And I bet you'd be able to show me how to make the best swords! Right?" Artorias knew nothing when it came to crafting weapons, but he was always ready and willing to learn a new set of skills. All he lacked was the right mentor for the task.

"Speech" | Thoughts | ”Corbin"

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.
____________________

Of course the young boy was immediately ecstatic and took to the idea like a fish to water. The Warlord used two extended claws to push his blade back into its contraption. Rolling his weight into his back legs as he looked at the boy. He treated him like an adult, and spoke frankly “Making a balanced, even blade for a sword will be difficult. Most of the metal we use is scavenged from a site just to the East of the Armada. Most of it is too small for what you want. It’ll be possible, but it would also be a learning process. How about we start somewhere smaller so you can get familiar with the process, and we can eventually work our way up to bigger projects” He didn’t want to dishearten the boy, but he also did not feel such a large project would be best for a first-time learning pup. Especially when Sirius himself had never made anything longer than a knife. Perhaps he could spend some time between sessions figuring it out himself, so he could teach the boy when the time came. "Speech"

Sirius spoke, telling him the truth that what he desired would require a lot of hard work and dedication to create. Artorias' smile faltered on his face for the briefest of moments as he considered the adult's words. He knew nothing about crafting weapons, so he defaulted to Sirius and took the warlord's statements as gospel. He certainly didn't want to put Seer off with such a demanding request... but the more he thought about it, the more he knew it was what he wanted. If he was going to be the greatest warrior he could be, he would need to learn how to be a master of his fighting style, and learning to fight with a sword would mean building up fundamentals, starting small and growing, learning to walk before he ran so to speak.

Despite the mild disappointment, Art's expression brightened back up again in a heartbeat when Sirius offered to help him make some small basic knives. That would work! And with his smaller size, those could kind of be like swords in the meantime until he got bigger. "Yeah, that sounds great!" he replied, tail wagging happily at the end of his fluffy butt. The wide smile that showed every pearly puppy tooth returned to his face once more. "Then when I'm bigger be can both build bigger things together! When can we get started?"

To be perfectly honest, Artorias was just happy to be getting to spend time with Sirius. The warlord was so much different than either of his parents, and while he loved his mothers to death, it was refreshing to get to interact with another adult that understood who he wanted to be. He deeply hoped he'd be able to hang out with Sirius and all the Fatalis wolves more in the future.

"Speech" | Thoughts | ”Corbin"

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.
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