Almost adults

As the rest of her siblings spilled out into the grand hall, the air became charged with feelings of excitement and anticipation which was only echoed by the warmth in their father’s voice. As he declared that today was a particularly special day, her sleepy confusion brightened into a pleasant surprise. As soon as her brothers and sisters got settled, their father kicked off the celebration with a birthday song in Carpathian. Talyssa couldn’t help the giggles that ensued as she glanced from Tati to Mami, as she had joined in as well. Looking around the table from sibling to sibling, she felt her chest was going to burst from the warmth and familial affection of the moment. Though, she couldn’t help the moment of sadness as it threatened the back of her mind: how many more times would they all be gathered here like this?

After the song subsided, their sire went on to mention the gifts that had been laid out on the table. Two of them were clearly weapons, however the other three remained in boxes. She couldn’t help but wonder what was inside them, and who exactly each present was for- but she wasn’t left wondering about her own for very long. Talyssa was given her gift first. With an excited grin, she gently tugged the ribbon loose, and carefully pulled the canvas away- revealing a small mahogany box. Opening the lid, it revealed a velvet lined inside with a small, Carpathian steel pendant on matching chain. Talyssa couldn’t help but gasp, her voice catching in her throat. “It’s beautiful! Imi place atat de mult!“ She beamed. Though, when her father explained what the precious stones represented, it made her heart sing on a whole different level. It was then Artorias gently lifted it from the box- the pendant glistening in the early morning light as he held it up in the air. As maneuvered the chain open, Talyssa quickly took advantage of the offer to help her get it on. As she nosed her way through the opening, and her father released it from his hold, she felt it fall into place a little higher than the center of her chest- though she didn’t look down to examine it right away. Instead, she leaned up to deliver a peck on her father’s cheek. “Multumesc Tati!” After she pulled away, she immediately sought to find her mother to offer her thanks as well, though she wasn’t left wondering for long. She felt her mother’s kiss on her own cheek, which she would lean into while reaching up with a single paw in a one-sided embrace. “Multumesc Mami!” Taly echoed. It was then she took a glance down at her gift- her paw slipping behind to lift it away from her fur. She simply couldn’t get over how perfect it was, and knew in that moment she would never go anywhere without it.

Next came Dusk’s gift- a weapon unlike one she had ever seen before. It was intimidating looking, yet beautiful at the same time- much like her sister. She couldn’t have even imagined something more perfect for the obsidian fae, and here it was before them- another outstanding gift. Of course, Kea was given one of the swords. And as far as swords went, it was really pretty as well- though she wasn’t sure that pretty was the proper way to describe it. Bramble was given an accessory that was just as uniquely beautiful as herself, which was an excellent design for her taller sister. Finally came Thorn’s sword, and it was just as stunning as Ciaran’s but in its own way.

As the gift exchange concluded, she couldn’t help but admire everything that had been given. Each gift was so well thought out, and so special. Their parents expressed how much they all meant to one another, and Talyssa understood immediately that there simply weren’t enough words to express that love in any language combined. Her father prompted Thorn, Kea, and Dusk to name their weapons before transitioning into the next big topics- their mother taking the opportunity to go get Breakfast started. Training regiments and duties with the pack, as well as picking out bedrooms. And while the gifts were exciting, while she knew she would have fun picking out her own room and filling it with her own belongings … this was the moment she had been dreaming about for so long- her place in Hearthstone, and what she could do for her family. She needed very little time to think at all. “I would like to train to be an Envoy of the Hallows … so I guess that would start at the path of a Scholar.” Talyssa answered softly, but with clear conviction. She simply couldn’t think of a more exciting and impactful destiny.

"Talyssa Carpathius"