guys, i can't swim!
02-09-2023, 03:49 PM
When he became a father, Artorias had vowed to always be as present in his children’s lives as he could. Having grown up without a father and never knowing who he came from, he never wanted any of his pups to feel disconnected from him or like he wasn’t present or 100% totally invested in them. That manifested itself in all the ways Artorias spent time with his offspring, taking them on adventures and training them to be little swordsmen like himself and partaking in the things that interested them. Artorias loved his children more than anything else in the world and treasured any chance he got to bond and make memories with them. But the sire also understood the importance of instilling independence in them too, and so when Corbin came fluttering over to him as he did his daily meditation exercises to inform him that Bramble had made her way down to the beach on her own, the Aegis wasn't overly concerned but decided to perhaps do his meditation down on the beach so he could keep an eye on his daughter near the water. After Talyssa had been spotted with a concerning stranger in the neighboring territory, a father couldn't be too cautious for his young children.
Padding his way down the beaten dirt path that led from Hearthstone to the Shimmering Shore, Artorias spotted the tawny brown and turquoise pup easily amongst the golden sands. He smiled while he watched her from afar, not doing anything to give his presence away while she explored the beach. Parking his fluffy rump down on the sun-warmed sands, Art watched Bramble for a moment, then closed his eyes and resumed his deep breathing exercises, taking in the salty sea air with delight. The rhythmic lapping of the waves was soothing, a tranquil white noise that washed out all other sounds from his ears. A peel of laughter caused his eyes to peek open and spot Bramble out in the foamy roll of the waves as they hit the shore. He smiled again, watching his daughter bounce about in the surf before running back up the shore to repeat her actions. Art chuckled, closed his eyes, then listened as another wave hit the shore.
Except this time, there was no laughter.
Artorias peeked open an eye again and realized he could no longer see Bramble. Steely eyes snapped open as panic clutched at his chest, his head swerving to and fro frantically as he rose to his paws. Bramble was nowhere in sight. Artorias rushed across the strip of sand that separated him from the edge of the ocean, his heart racing in his chest while wide eyes scrambled to find his daughter. When he spotted her dark form beneath the shallow water a little ways out from the shore, his heart all but stopped. Bramble was fully submerged and not resurfacing.
"Bramble!" The dire wolf charged into the rolling waves without hesitation, his larger form crashing through them with ease like a breakwater. She fortunately wasn't too far out, but to a pup she might as well have been all the way out to sea. He saw her fighting against the pull of the water and dove down, peering through the clear water to find her and scoop her up in his giant paws. While not as little as she was a few months back (dang, these pups grew fast!) she was still small and light enough for Art to be able to move to hoist her up above the water's surface with little more than a flex and a grunt of effort. "I've got you, Bramble! I've got you, sweetheart!" He tried to calm her with gentle reassurances while helping keep her afloat. "Steady now. Slow breaths. Dad's got you, you're safe."
"Artorias" | "Carpathian"
Padding his way down the beaten dirt path that led from Hearthstone to the Shimmering Shore, Artorias spotted the tawny brown and turquoise pup easily amongst the golden sands. He smiled while he watched her from afar, not doing anything to give his presence away while she explored the beach. Parking his fluffy rump down on the sun-warmed sands, Art watched Bramble for a moment, then closed his eyes and resumed his deep breathing exercises, taking in the salty sea air with delight. The rhythmic lapping of the waves was soothing, a tranquil white noise that washed out all other sounds from his ears. A peel of laughter caused his eyes to peek open and spot Bramble out in the foamy roll of the waves as they hit the shore. He smiled again, watching his daughter bounce about in the surf before running back up the shore to repeat her actions. Art chuckled, closed his eyes, then listened as another wave hit the shore.
Except this time, there was no laughter.
Artorias peeked open an eye again and realized he could no longer see Bramble. Steely eyes snapped open as panic clutched at his chest, his head swerving to and fro frantically as he rose to his paws. Bramble was nowhere in sight. Artorias rushed across the strip of sand that separated him from the edge of the ocean, his heart racing in his chest while wide eyes scrambled to find his daughter. When he spotted her dark form beneath the shallow water a little ways out from the shore, his heart all but stopped. Bramble was fully submerged and not resurfacing.
"Bramble!" The dire wolf charged into the rolling waves without hesitation, his larger form crashing through them with ease like a breakwater. She fortunately wasn't too far out, but to a pup she might as well have been all the way out to sea. He saw her fighting against the pull of the water and dove down, peering through the clear water to find her and scoop her up in his giant paws. While not as little as she was a few months back (dang, these pups grew fast!) she was still small and light enough for Art to be able to move to hoist her up above the water's surface with little more than a flex and a grunt of effort. "I've got you, Bramble! I've got you, sweetheart!" He tried to calm her with gentle reassurances while helping keep her afloat. "Steady now. Slow breaths. Dad's got you, you're safe."