Curious as curious could be, the young pup found herself wandering away from her family's reunion. The multitude of scents and sights had dragged her away with a snuffling nose and turning ears. How could anyone stay in one spot for so long was beyond her! Bramble was bursting at the seams with energy as she wound her way through the garden paths. Sniffing at all the different plants, stopped to touch the different textures of leaves, she hadn't realized how far she had gotten until a wrought iron gate came into her view toward the right.

Stopping in her tracks, she looked toward the gate. From beyond, she could see the browned grasses of the plains that had accepted the changing seasons. Approaching the gate that currently felt locked when she pushed on it, the pup sat down heavily on her haunches. Letting her paws shift her weight back and forth as she contemplated trying to squeeze herself through the iron posts, she continued to look out into the beyond. So far, her parents had told them not to wander from the castle without anyone accompanying them. And when she looked around, unfortunately, no one yet had come to her rescue.

With a furrowed brow, she let out a huff of frustration. She wanted to know what was out there!

Bramble Carpathius

Laeta was curious about the overnight shift in season. As she gently padded down the stone staircase on bony, cracking limbs, her gaze flickered to the falling leaves and slightly less chilly breeze that had once been the peak of winter. She frowned softly, brow knitted as a few orange and yellow leaves blew into the stony corridor. Mel lumbered a few paces behind, muttering something about the strangeness of the seasons and how it reminded him of..well, you-know-what. Laeta continued onwards anyways, curious to see the scenery outside the castle. Might as well, anyways, when there wasn't slush squelching beneath her paws and her joints weren't stiff with pain. The bony woman emerged from the castle's awning, keeping a light pace as she crunched the autumn leaves beneath her paws. How strange..how strange indeed. It was like they'd traveled back in time. Hopefully it was just an isolated phenomenon..and nothing more. Her approach to the iron gates offered a surprise - a moss and umber-pelted girl, a young pup, seemingly frustrated at the gate being closed. Laeta's expression immediately relaxed, instead a wide, cheerful smile lighting her lips. She padded closer to the child, lowering her head and saying gently, "Oh, hello little one. You're Artorias's and Briar's child, yes?" She paused, her eyes drifting towards the gate that stood so high for the child. It seemed she wanted to explore, and well, knowing how energetic children could be and how quickly they got bored, she couldn;t get herself to refuse. "Hm. How about this - as long as you promise to stay within my sights, would you like to take a short walk outside the castle?" "I'm Laeta, by the way. What might be your name?" She then asked, tilting her head. Her badger quietly stood next to her, offering a polite bow. "A-And I'm Mel. Pleasure to meet you, child." ”Speech” ’Thought’

Contemplating how she could possibly get the gate to open when she couldn't physically reach the handle, Bramble sat there with a frown. It was unfair! The area just outside the castle walls surely had to be safe! The Hallows knights were good protectors, were they not? Letting out a defeated sigh, she was able to slump down into a laying position when the sound of paws drew her attention toward the side. Approaching her was a dark-colored woman, kind of like her sister Dusk, and an animal she didn't recognize that had a cool eye glass and shimmery red toenails.

Her tail begins to wag with excitement as the woman speaks to her. "Yes! I'm Bramble Carpathius!" She squeaks loudly in her puppy-like voice as the woman named Laeta offers to let her go wander outside of the gate. "You'll really take me, Miss Laeta?!" Bramble is nothing but a ball of energy as she hops up onto all four paws and bounces from one paw to the other. "Of course, I promise I'll stay close! I just really really wanna see what's out there!" Her attention shifts from Laeta to Mel who Bramble beams at with a curious smile.

"Your uh eye glass thing is really cool, Mel!" She says, not knowing what it was actually called but knew he would know what she meant. "Can we go now?" Bramble asks Laeta as her attention moves back to the woman and then toward the gate. She couldn't wait to see the things that were out there!

Bramble Carpathius

A wide smile spread across the older woman's maw - already peppered with the slightest white specks - as the little child confirmed she was, indeed, one of the newest additions to the Hallows. Artorias and Briar's little girl, no less. A soft chuckle fell from her lips as little Bramble accepted her offer to take a walk, bouncing about on little puppy limbs, fur still downy and poofy and eyes bright and hopeful. That's what stood out to Lae the most in children, her own ruby gaze looking down at the child with fondness and warmth. Children were blank slates, born with nothing negative and traumatic attached to their souls. All happiness and excitement, for the world to them was so vast and new. Their eyes reflected all the optimism they held for every interaction and experience, nothing but sheer joy for each moment they relished. The scholar hoped it would stay that way for the children as long as possible. Enjoying their lives at the castle and all its wonders. Mel blinked as Bramble focused her attention on him, shifting on his clawed feet as she mentioned his monocle. He chuckled softly, tapping the rim with a ruby claw. "Why thank you, young Bramble! I-It's referred to as a monocle. Simply a small lens of glass from which I can see more clearly." His mannerisms were always so formal, so refined - though there was no need to be. Lae figured it was just who he was, he'd always spoken that way. With a smile shared between her companion and her new friend, the older woman found a way to unlock the gate - perhaps she knew where the spare key was hidden, maybe not. Or maybe she was magic - something Bramble might surely believe. Either way, the gate was opened, its door creaking wide open to reveal the vast, autumn-filled beyond. Lae padded steadily through the opening, Mel lumbering behind her. She paused, the fall breeze ruffling her tufted charcoal fur. Turning back to face the child and allow her a moment to run ahead if she wished, she inquired gently, "Well, where would you like to explore, little one?" ”Speech” ’Thought’

It came as a surprise when the tall gate swung open on creaky hinges. Bramble's eyes widened in awe as she stared at Laeta, her mouth dropping ever so slightly. A quiet whoa fell as a whisper as she watched Laeta and Mel amble through the opening. How had the older woman opened the gate? Magic? No way... Blinking a few times as she tried to get her wits back in order, she snapped back with a shake of her head. Magic or not, Laeta and Mel were so cool!

"Everywhere we can!" Bramble squeaked in that ever-changing puppy voice. With all wiggles and high energy, the pup made her way out of the bounds of the castle gardens. Standing there with a view of the plains before her, Bramble wasn't sure where to go next! She could stand there all day and never get bored. There was so much to look at! The sky, clouds, grass, flowers, bugs, animals, you name it!

Bramble Carpathius

Laeta and Mel shuffled forward past the gate, leaves flitting down from the trees as the gate gently squeaked shut behind them. Now, only the expanse of the Hallows territories lay beyond their view. The young child was clearly excited, her exuberance and eagerness to explore bringing back the everlasting smile on Lae's lips. The older woman had to admit, she'd never get enough of the joy children brought to packs. They were the sunshine in her day, the spark of hope for their future that left her feeling more rejuvenated, energetic. She wasn't quite so old as to be elderly, but her physical body was worn from years of harsh conditions, and as she saw Bramble bounce and jump around, she yearned for that level of agility again. Perhaps it would have to be simply enough to just watch the newest generation explore and enjoy themselves to their hearts' content. Mel clearly felt similarly, a spark of happiness alight in his beady eyes as he glanced up at the woman. Laeta approached Bramble, seeing her eagerly pointing towards the general direction of the plains. They were close, and would still be within view of the castle, so venturing towards the nearby territory shouldn't be to much of a hassle. "Shall we venture this way, little Bramble? The plains are beautiful - wildflowers grow there year round," She said in her gentle, soothing tone, tilting her head to see if the young girl wished to explore in that direction. ”Speech” ’Thought’