Hearthstone was well known for its abundance of comforts and luxuries afforded to its wolves left behind by the species that had built it lifetimes ago. Its high walls offered safety, its many hearths and fireplaces warmth and light, its baths hygiene and relaxation. But the one thing the castle lacked was music. The Hallows had played host to a number of parties where traveling bands of minstrels had been recruited to entertain, and while they served their purpose for the greater events, it was the typical everydays in between the events that Artorias found he missed hearing music filling the halls of their home. For a long while, the Lord of Cinder had been poking about trying to find a solution to this absence, especially now as his children were growing older and showing their interests and passions in expressing themselves artistically. To date, he hadn't found a suitable answer—until a recent trip to the old lands of Fenmyre had yielded exactly what he'd been looking for.

During his trip with Ciaran to the island, Artorias had poked around inside the old Klein compound that had been a hub at the center of the island. Inside, he had found an old, dust-covered parlor grand piano, still in remarkably good shape despite its age. Artorias returned to the island on his own later, inspecting the piano with interest. He ran a paw along the keys, listening as the hammers struck the cords within. The notes were horribly out of tune, but they played and echoed around the empty building wonderfully. It was perfect. So, with some bribing to a local tribe of bonobos and a couple silverback gorillas, Artorias had the primates carry the piano carefully from the Forgotten Isle across the ferry and Auster over to the Hallows, where it was currently being set up in the Great Hall. Artorias supervised with a proud smile as a couple of songbirds helped the bonobos tune the piano to perfection. The piano looked gorgeous set up in the hall, its black lacquer polished to a mirror-like sheen and the soft notes of each note echoing around the hall as it was tuned.

After most of the day, the piano was finished. Artorias approached the finished masterpiece, inspecting the impeccable work of Auster's local primates and songbirds. He ran his paw along the row of keys again, listening as much more pleasant notes flowed mellifluously through the hall. He had no idea how to play it, of course, but if any of his much more talented daughters or musically-inclined pack mates or his highly intelligent wife wanted to try their paw at learning it, now they had the opportunity to.

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

The sound of mismatched musical notes drew Mercury down to the Great Hall. He did wince a couple times at some of the notes heavily tapped out, but overall he was astounded and happy with what he was hearing. He found Artorias in front of the keys, tapping them seemingly at random. “Artorias! A piano, I haven’t heard one in years. May I?” he asked softly, leaning forward to gently touch the gleaming side. He closed his eyes, thinking of the home that was lost to him, and all the wonders buried and ruined under rivers of lava.

After a moment he was sentimental close to the point of tears and he drew in a soft breath to steady himself, leaning away again to give Art room. “I didn’t think I’d see one again.”


"Mercury"

Bramble knew what instruments were, but they'd never exactly been her forte. Blame it on the easily distracted bits of her brain or whatever. That didn't mean she wasn't interested! The sound of plunking keys not quite in a harmonious melody drew her attention away from the dough that she kneaded with her paws. Covered in flour dust, she places her baking project into a bowl to proof, gently covering it with a towel before she's out the door.

Not quite running, but also not walking either, Bramble makes it in time to see Mercury lean away from her father with a twinkle in his eye. Were they getting sentimental over a... piano? That's what it was, right? Her steps slow, head canted curiously as she approaches the opposite from where Mercury stands. Circling the massive piece that now had a permanent home, she admires its beauty and the craftmanship her father has put into restoring it.

"Do we know anyone who plays?" Bramble asks, her tail wagging a few times eagerly as she looks up at her father and Mercury. Moving to take a place beside the piano, she leans her shoulder against and her chin on the edge for a good watching position.

"Speech"

Ember sat on the terrace out in the Hearthstone gardens, taking in the warm spring sun while she read through one of the many books housed in Aunt Gwynevere's library. It was an epic tale of knights and maidens and dragon slaying, a fantastical epic that sent her frantic imagination running wild! It also helped to quell the smoldering fires that burned in her soul. She was still miffed over how Norad had been destroyed and by her father's lack of seeking immediate and righteous justice, but it couldn't be helped now. The Syndicate had run off to wherever they now dwelled and it looked like life would go back on as if nothing had happened. It was frustrating, but there was nothing Ember could do about it. So she seethed silently, letting out her disapproval in the form of cutting down many a training mannequin and fantasizing about being a knight in a climactic battle for justice.

Those epic daydreams were interrupted by a series of disjointed chords suddenly coming from within the castle, catching Ember's attention immediately. Blue eyes wide and black ears perked atop her head, she tipped her head in curiosity. What on earth could be making those sounds? Dog-earing the page she was on, Ember set the book aside and went inside to investigate, following the source of the sounds into the Great Hall, where she spotted Artorias, Mercury, and Bramble gathered around... was that a piano? Again Ember tilted her head as she approached the grand instrument, eyes scanning over it with awe. When had her father snuck this into the Hallows? "Whoa! Look at it! It's beautiful!" exclaimed the excited princess, moving up to the keys without any hesitation. She lifted a dainty paw and pressed a few of the keys one at a time, listening to the notes each one produced with fascination. Bramble's question piqued her interest as well, looking up to the two older brutes.

"Ember Carpathius"

While he was admittedly just messing around with the grand instrument, mostly just testing to see how each note would sound, Artorias heard eagerly approaching footsteps and glanced over his shoulder to see an astounded Mercury coming to investigate their newest acquisition. The dark-coated man seemed shocked and delighted to see the piano in all its splendor, even exclaiming how he hadn't seen one in years. That took Art by surprise. He had no idea Mercury knew of pianos! Perhaps they had been more commonplace back in his homelands. When asked, Artorias gestured to his friend to step up and check out the piano for himself. "Of course! This is for everyone to enjoy."

Artorias watched for a few quiet moments as Mercury clearly went through something deeply emotional connecting him to the instrument. There was a quiet reverence from the wolf, and Artorias felt even gladder that he had found and brought the piano home now. Not long after, Bramble came to join them from the kitchen, dusted with flour, and Ember right behind her, both girls inspecting the piano with intrigue. Ember stepped right on up without fear and began to trail her paw across the keys, testing the notes just as he had done while Bramble asked if anyone could play. "I think Mercury might," he said, looking back to his emotionally wrought Commander and stepping aside to gesture a paw at the row of polished ivory keys. "Would you do us the honors of the first song, Commander Ermís?"

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

Mercury knew that with all he lost, to dwell on it would be to let himself be buried in the past. But he couldn’t help the memories, or the reverence as he looked at the instrument Artorias had rescued. His homeland had loved music, and they had had a beaten up old piano that had been tended to with love and care in their pack’s main room.

A few of Arts kids appeared, and were as equally as excited about the piano, he stepped a little to the side so everyone could explore it, and was caught off guard by Arts words. “It’s been so long, I’m not sure I would do it justice…” He said dubiously, but in the end temptation won out. He moved into the space Art vacated for him, and rested his paws gently on the keys. He played a couple experimentally, checking the tuning. But Art and the birds had done a good job there. He let his paws glide over, starting slow, and bringing an old song of his homeland to life. Right there in the world of his new life.

"Mercury"

Having never seen nor heard of a piano before now, Ember had no idea what to expect from the grand instrument now living in their Great Hall. It did look regal and refined though, and the sheer number of keys almost overwhelmed her. But once she heard Mercury's paws press those first few keys and the hammers struck the finely tuned strings within, it was as if something had been awoken within the adolescent fae. Soft, gentle notes filled the hall, echoing beautifully around the cavernous room. Those singular notes shifted into chords, beautiful and intricate chains of sound woven together into a delicately complex melody that stole Ember's breath away.

While Mercury played his song, Em sat wide-eyed and speechless, mouth slightly agape while she watched the pianist play. She stared in awe at him, at the piano, then back to Merc again. He was much more talented than he gave himself credit for! Rising to her paws, the Carpathian princess scooted closer to the piano, watching as Mercury's paws glided over the keys like it was second nature. Her own paw came up to rest on the black lacquered side of the instrument, drinking in this profound moment of awakening within herself. Come hell or high water, Ember would learn to master the piano. Of this, she was resolute.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

Bramble is content to watch. Her talents lie upon the counters and within the stoves of the kitchen rather than the intricate instruments nearly lost in the pages of old books. She sits, leaning against the piano, admiring the moment between her father and Mercury and then Ember and the piano. It was as if her sister was made to sit upon the stool before them now.

As Mercury pressed the keys, falling into memories of what once way, Bramble is amazed. Her eyes widen and a smile breaks out over her muzzle. The song that he plays is beautiful. Even the keys that Ember touches sound as if they were meant to be. Caught up in the beautiful sound for a moment, she can't believe she's never heard of anything so wonderful before.

Suddenly, it gives her an idea. "Oh Mercury, you must play at the next Fall Ball! Ember could learn and play with you too!" Bramble exclaims, her tail thumping against the cool stone beneath her. "Imagine all of us twirling and dancing around the floor while your music leads our paws," her voice is breathy and filled with wonder as she stands and walks over to her father. Holding out a paw, Bramble smiles at Artorias. "Dance with me, Tati?" She asks.

"Speech"

As Mercury began to play, Artorias watched his Commander with abject reverence and awe. Listening to how Mercury's paws flew over the keys with practiced memory as he crafted his song. The melody echoed beautifully around the stone walls of the Great Hall, mellifluous and perfect. Artorias was immediately hit with a wave of emotion listening to his dear friend play for them, his imagination already crafting years of moments where the piano could contribute. Yearling Harvest Balls as new generations danced and mingled, a mood setting for their Feast of Unity, generations of Carpathian pups learning to play with their sires and dams. A few errant glowing tears began to well in the corners of the Lord of Cinder's eyes. This piano was going to be a new keystone of the Hallows and of the Carpathian family.

Blinking back the teal glowing tears from the corners of his eyes, Artorias looked over to Bramble as she voiced the unspoken thoughts he had in his head, asking Mercury to play at the next Harvest Ball. A smile slowly stretched across Art's lips, looking at his daughters with pride and love. Then Bramble is walking over to him, offering him her paw and asking to dance. Artorias' heart wells with paternal adoration and he smiles brightly at his little girl, not so little anymore. "Mi-ar face plăcere." Taking her paw, Artorias gently drew Bramble closer to him and moved to brace his chest against hers, smiling all the while as he started to gently sway back and forth in time to Mercury's music with his daughter. His paws took the lead, navigating them around the smooth stone floors with the occasional click of their claws in time to one another's. Although far from a trained dancer, Artorias had swept across these floors often enough with Briar to be decent. "You'll be dancing with a boy like this instead of your old sire someday, Brammie," he playfully teased her with a grin, glancing over to Ember amidst their dance and realizing just how mature his girls had grown already.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

Mercury looked over at Ember as she came closer to the keyboard, sitting where she could see his paws gliding over the keys. At first his movements were a little jerky, unsure. But already he could feel himself falling into the rhythm of the music. Old lessons coming back to life.

“I’m not sure…” Mercury said again, doubt still in his voice at Bramble's request. It had been so long, his life had changed so drastically. Many years had passed since he had been a Prince sitting in his home, straight and proper as he watched his teacher. He could never be that wolf again, he was the Prince of a place that you could no longer find on a map.

When Art and Bramble drew into a dance, he raised one of his hands off the keys and gently grabbed Ember’s paw, lightly moving it across the piano as he guided her on which keys to play.


"Mercury"

As Mercury played, Ember watched with fascinated eyes, captivated by the way his digits and paws danced across the ivory keys. Even with his unsure start, the Carpathian princess was rapt with the magic he was weaving from the instrument. The sounds of the notes and chords echoing around the Great Hall were beautiful, almost haunting and mystifying at the same time. Then movement from the corner of her eye, and Em saw Bramble dancing with their father, moving gracefully around the smooth stone floor. She watched them dance with a gradually growing smile, already picturing the hall turned into a ballroom as wolves danced and swayed like figure skaters across the floor. It was all so magical!

Then Mercury gestured for her and Em drew closer. She was taken by surprise as the Commander took her paws and guided them to the keys, oceanic blue eyes wide with shock and panic as he let her take over. Thankfully, he guided her along, giving her subtle direction on what notes to play and when. She was clunky at first, uncertain and novice, but soon Em was pressing the keys as assuredly as Merc was. The smile returned to her lips and soon she was beaming from ear to ear as she played along with her tutor. Ember was bewitched by the beautiful music the piano produced with every strike of a key. Braided tail wagging gleefully behind her, Em knew she wanted to learn how to play this magnificent instrument more than anything else.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

Bramble cannot hide the smile that breaks out over her lips as her father draws her in. Taking his paw into hers as their chests press together, she allows Artorias to take the lead. Sweeping around the floor in time to the music, their paws and nails softly padding and clicking against the stone. A dreamy expression crosses over her face as they dance and enjoy their time together. She too imagines the great hall filled once more with wolves, all paired up, the magical music playing from the piano, candles lighting up the dim room, everything perfectly in place to where it needs to be.

Her daydream is broken as her father teases her and she feels a warmth spread over her cheeks. "Oh, Tati, I'm not so sure about that," she muses, a delicate laugh vibrating her chest as she holds on to her father's paws a little tighter. "Some days, I think I'm happy right where I am," her teal eyes look at Artorias, adoration for her father clear in his expression. As much as she daydreamed of finding the perfect mate one day to bring home to the Hallows, she also didn't want to rush anything. If he was going to live up to the likes of her father and every other wolf in her life, he would have to be damn near perfect...

"Bramble"

Artorias smiled his proud, loving father smile as he danced around the stone floors of the Great Hall with Bramble, awed by how much his little girl (not so little anymore) had grown. It didn't seem long ago that he was seeing her for the first time, a small tawny wolf nugget nursing at her mother's belly, and now here she was, a grown woman, the Envoy of the Hallows, a wolf he trusted dearly on his council. It was every parent's dream to see their children succeed and achieve their dreams; for Artorias, seeing Bramble smile and revel in the simple joys of life made him feel like he'd succeeded her as her father.

His jest finds its mark, and a light blush crosses his daughter's cheeks, earning a peel of laughter from her sire. As austere and proper as he was, nothing stopped the Carpathian patriarch from being that goofy, adoring father he had always been and always would be with his children. They were the lights of his life, his prides and joys. He leans his head forward to affectionately bump his forehead against hers, all smiles as they twirled across the floor in rhythm to the music Mercury and Ember were creating. "Nobody said you can't be happy where you are and still find love, soarele meu. But I'll be happy so long as you're happy, single or with a boyfriend or girlfriend." Art nudged Bramble teasingly, then shot that same playful grin over to Ember at the piano. He didn't care what his children's preferences in partners were, so long as they found partners that treated them right, cared for and loved them, and never did anything to harm them or make them feel less than they were.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"