Little lords and ladies

Briar stood back a bit and watched with a little grin as Artorias roused their pups and declared it was finally time for them to go out and explore the world. She loved their excitement and she lingered with wistful happiness while their father laid down the ground rules for their first time out in the castle. Of course she was thrilled to see their personalities start to develop, watching them become full fledged individuals right before her eyes, and seeing them blossom from these tiny, squeaky pups into this was mind blowing. But there was also a twinge of longing and wishing she could keep them small and keep living this perfect dream of being with them like this forever. It felt like this had all gone so fast and she was going to blink and they would be adults with families of their own.

Fighting back her own turbulent emotions, she took a breath and grinned as she came to join Artorias at the bedroom doors and she helped pull the opposite door open along with him, releasing their children out into their home for the first time. A huge grin pulled across her lips and she chuckled as she shook her head at Dusk made the most adorable puppy howl to declare her departure before their little ball of black fluff took off like a bolt of lightning. The other pups followed, including Thorn who seemed just as eager to run after his sister, and Briar waited a moment to make sure Talyssa, Bramble, and Ciaran followed suit. The bedroom felt so strangely quiet and empty without their constant tumbling and playing and she glanced back at the space for a moment before turning her gaze to Artorias, giving him a happy, if slightly emotional and nervous smile, before leaning over to give him a quick kiss.

Briar went to follow after their energetic children then, finding Talyssa waiting for them in the hall. She smiled to her sweet girl and dipped her head to nuzzle the tan and cream pup lovingly. "We're coming, darling! Keep going!" she insisted with a little chuckle, giving their daughter a gentle nudge to continue on after their siblings. She arrived at the stairs just in time to see Thorn with Dusk's dark tail in his mouth just a beat before the two of them went tumbling over the edge and down the flight of stairs. Briar gasped and chased after them, bounding down the stairs a couple at a time and arriving down at the bottom almost at the same time as the two pups. Quickly she helped them both back up, her paws patting over them and tipping their heads up so she could check their eyes and faces quickly. She sighed and give them both a little smile and a shake of her head. "Please be careful, you two. Now, get out of here before your dad gets here to scold you."

"Carpathius Family"