Fill these halls with music

As Mercury played, Ember watched with fascinated eyes, captivated by the way his digits and paws danced across the ivory keys. Even with his unsure start, the Carpathian princess was rapt with the magic he was weaving from the instrument. The sounds of the notes and chords echoing around the Great Hall were beautiful, almost haunting and mystifying at the same time. Then movement from the corner of her eye, and Em saw Bramble dancing with their father, moving gracefully around the smooth stone floor. She watched them dance with a gradually growing smile, already picturing the hall turned into a ballroom as wolves danced and swayed like figure skaters across the floor. It was all so magical!

Then Mercury gestured for her and Em drew closer. She was taken by surprise as the Commander took her paws and guided them to the keys, oceanic blue eyes wide with shock and panic as he let her take over. Thankfully, he guided her along, giving her subtle direction on what notes to play and when. She was clunky at first, uncertain and novice, but soon Em was pressing the keys as assuredly as Merc was. The smile returned to her lips and soon she was beaming from ear to ear as she played along with her tutor. Ember was bewitched by the beautiful music the piano produced with every strike of a key. Braided tail wagging gleefully behind her, Em knew she wanted to learn how to play this magnificent instrument more than anything else.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"