Almost adults

One by one, each of his perfect children stepped forth to receive their birthday gifts. Nothing brought Artorias more joy than seeing the joy and excitement in his sons' and daughters' faces as they unwrapped their presents, the light and life in each of them growing their sire's smile wider and wider. Talyssa, ecstatic with her necklace, could barely contain herself as he draped the delicate chain around her neck, the pendant settling perfectly against her tawny chest. Her gleeful thanks spoken in their mother tongue brought a happy chuckle from Artorias, happily nuzzling his daughter back as she kissed his cheek. "Cu placere, draga," he replied before turning his attention to Bramble while Briar helped her get her tail cuff attached so that she could wear it and show it off. He beamed at his two daughters, adorned in their jewelry made of their family's special metal. They were both growing into beautiful young women any father would be proud of.

Dusk opened her gift and then... she froze. Art watched his little soot sprite carefully, wondering if perhaps he had accidentally upset her with her gift and a twinge of concern twisted at his heart. Her mouth hung open, then closed, and the adolescent fae slowly closed the box as if it were made of glass. She dismissed herself with a murmur of thanks and stepped back to move over to the Grand Hearth. Art watched her as she went, keeping his eyes on Dusk to make sure his little girl was okay. She looked a bit overwhelmed, so he would give her some space for the time. Ciaran and Thorn both were bursting at the seams to receive their clearly weapon-shaped gifts, and both young men were awestruck by the blades they had been gifted. Artorias knew his children would take good care of the weapons and carry their family heirlooms with pride and honor. Kea and Thorn gave their swords names—Windrunner and StormSong respectively—and Art nodded his head reverently. "Fine names for fine blades!" he decreed with a pleased smile on his face.

It was then that Dusk rejoined the family after a spell, giving Briar an embrace as she went toward the kitchen, then made her way over to her sire. Artorias looked at Dusk with warmth and love in his eyes, realizing the weight of the emotion in her expression. Though there were no more tears in her matching amber eyes, Art didn't need to see them to know the depth of Dusk's emotions. He gave her a gentle smile as his soot sprite leaned into his shoulder and squeezed his foreleg in an embrace. Artorias craned his neck down to plant a kiss atop his daughter's crown right between her ears, whispering for her to hear alone. "Te iubesc atât de mult, mica mea umbră." Nothing his children could do could ever fracture the love he held for them. This was what he wanted to show Dusk in addition to showing her that she could have or do whatever she put her mind to.

After the gifts had been received, each of his children began to voice their desired paths and aspiring ranks in the Hallows. Unsurprising, both of his boys had chosen the path of Knight, with Kea going further to aim for Commander or High Councilor. Talyssa and Bramble chose the path of Scholar, with the former aiming for Envoy and the latter keeping her options open. He smiled to both of them, returning Bramble's knowing smirk and wink. She did not have to set her path in stone today, nor did he expect any of them to. They had their whole lives to figure out who they were and who they would become. Only Dusk remained silent on the matter, but Artorias would not pester nor pry for her to respond. She also had plenty of time to feel out who she was. "Then so it shall be! You will all have the starting ranks you wish for—Knights and Scholars. I love you all so much, and I am so very proud of the wolves you're all becoming. Not only the pride of the Hallows, but the pride of the Carpathius family also." Artorias was such a sappy dad, but his whole world revolved around his family. His children were the pinnacle of that world. For them, he would do anything, he would lay down his life if he had to. They were worth everything.

"Carpathius Family"