A Carpathian tradition

Artorias didn't have to wait long before the rhythmic click-click of scurrying paws across the stone floors came into the Great Hall. The Lord of Cinder looked up to greet his daughter with a fatherly smile, eyes full of love and pride for his child. She greets him with their family tongue and he is quick to respond in kind. "Bună, fiică. Azi sunt mai mult decât bine. Sper că vei fi și tu." A knowing little roguish smile turned the corner of Artorias' lips while Bramble got settled in the seat beside his, her attention immediately on the box. Art pretended not to acknowledge it at first until she came right out and asked about it, only then glancing down at it with feigned surprise. "Oh, what? This old thing? Nah, I don't think it's anything you'd really want." He was teasing her of course, and it was obvious in the way he emphasized his words. What kind of father would he be if he didn't poke fun at his kids every now and then?

Not drawing out her curiosity any longer, Artorias slid the box across the table until it was in front of Bramble. He didn't open the lid, instead letting her reveal her own gift herself. He wanted the surprise factor to be her discovery. Amber eyes watched with eager anticipation while Bramble revealed the elegant Carpathian steel dagger nestled within, giving her a moment to absorb its detail. "This is for you, Bramble," he explained afterward, enjoying just watching her reactions and taking in the moment. He was going to want to remember this core memory. "M-ai făcut cel mai mândru tată care a trăit vreodată. Să te am ca fiică a fost una dintre cele mai mari realizări ale mele. Am vrut să știi cât de mult te iubesc și cât de mândru sunt de lupul în care ai devenit." With a lopsided grin, Artorias waved a paw over the dagger. "Acum aveți o parte din moștenirea familiei noastre pe care să vă protejați atunci când vă desfășurați munca în străinătate. Ai câștigat asta."

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"