Trial by Fire

This moment almost felt like a dream to the overjoyed Artorias. Oh, how he'd missed Talyssa since he last saw her disappearing past their borders to explore the vast world for herself. It had been such a proud and bittersweet moment to the wolf who loved his family so dearly. But seeing her here now, holding her and knowing she was real and not some happy dream, it filled his heart with love all the more for her presence. He nuzzled her forehead, he breathed in her scent, he gripped her fur in his digits, he reveled in having his daughter home once more, even if it was only for a little while. He didn't even care if anyone saw the teal glow of his tears cutting down his cheeks, he was the happiest father in the world right now to have all his family back together again.

When prompted about her travels, Talyssa seemed to practically glow with enthusiasm. It was a life and zeal he hadn't seen in his child for some time and it instantly made him glad he'd allowed her to go experience the world and life for herself. Talyssa was his pride and joy, but a flower kept away from the sun would always wither and die. She had not only blossomed, but flourished in her experiences! She told him the brief details of what she'd experienced, all the wolves she'd met, and everything she'd learned. "I can't wait to hear all about them! Your mother will want to hear your stories too!" Oh, right, Briar! He should get Briar over so she could get her love in on Talyssa too! But before he could call for her, Taly was once more pulling his attention back to her, which he happily gave her. The smile on his face grew when their eyes met, amber fire and blue steel aglow in the firelight.

She had someone she wanted him to meet. Artorias was a little surprised, but that surprise multiplied tenfold when he looked up to follow Talyssa's gaze over to the large monochrome brute who came over at her gesture. Talyssa introduced him, but Artorias had already placed that fur pattern with the family, and his name sealed the deal. "Quill! Well, I'll be damned! I haven't seen you since you were a pup being carted around by Chimera!" remarked the Lord of Cinder with a hearty laugh. Talyssa must've met him in Ashen when she'd been there and Chimera had been in charge, he reckoned. Quill spoke politely and reverently, reminding Artorias of Chimera in many ways. "Your father and family have always been good friends to us. How is he doing?" Art had heard of the relapse in the Klein patriarch's health after the fall of Ashen. It worried him to think his friend's days might be numbered. He really should make a trip up to Elysium to see him soon...

When Quill moved to sit beside Talyssa—right beside her with their hips touching—Artorias suddenly made the connection as to why Talyssa had brought him to the festival. The dawning realization lit up in his fiery eyes, and then there was a flash of something else while Quill spoke of taking a liking to Talyssa. Art gave a little nod of understanding and followed Quill's gaze to Taly, wordlessly inquiring for her response. When Quill mentioned the bonfire, Artorias glanced back at the massive fire rising into the dark night sky with a proud smile. "Thank you! It's been a Hallows tradition since our first summer in Auster. It's a way of bringing wolves together to celebrate the lives of loved ones, as well as to serve as a reminder of the light in the dark that the Hallows stands for. Plus it's the one night the pups get to stay up past bedtime so they love that." Artorias chuckled, remembering the first bonfire Talyssa had been to, how fascinated she'd been by it, and how all his children had loved the festival. "So! Tell me about those travels now, Taly! I'd love to hear about how you two met as well." Artorias was all smiles, eager to hear what his daughter had been up to while she'd been away from home—but equally or more eager to hear about the brute she'd brought home. Artorias had some concerns about Quill Klein. But his jubilant expression betrayed none of them.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"