During the short trek from the gardens back to the castle, Artorias kept stealing small glances back to Daphne, making small talk to fill the silence and checking to see if any of the sights or smells that should have been familiar to her jogged any dead bells in her memory. Her affliction was concerning to the young wolf to say the least. He knew nothing about memory and brains or how they worked or if they could be fixed—but he did know that firefly demon well enough to know that it wasn’t something you wanted to fuck with. He’d nearly lost his sight permanently to it. But where his sight had returned, Daphne’s curse seemed a tad more permanent. Would they be able to recover her memories, or was she destined to start her life over from now?

Regardless, Artorias was just happy to have her home again. Whether she had to start over anew or they could help her find herself, he knew their family would stick together. Art led the way through the gatehouse and into the castle courtyard, crossing the gardens of wildflowers, ivies, and wisteria trees to the far terrace and front doors of the grand castle. "This is where we live," he explained to Daphne while leading the way through the main doors to the foyer. "Welcome home, Daphne."

Turning left down the corridor, Artorias led Daphne into the great hall—the same hall where they’d received their family name from Resin during their first Feast of Gratitude. As was Hallows tradition, Artorias always kept a fire burning in the grand hearth, warming the hall comfortably. "Have a seat anywhere. I’ll fetch you some food and call the others." Heading for the kitchen, Artorias have a soft call for their family to come to the hall. Tamsyn would want to see her prodigal daughter, no doubt, and the rest of their siblings would also be in for a surprise when they arrived.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

The small talk didn’t feel awkward, even though she felt she should know the sights and smells and sounds. It didn’t feel as right as the hot springs had, but she felt some of the tension in her shoulders easing the further into the castle they strode.

When she was invited to take a seat, she found herself too nervous to settle, choosing instead to pace back and forth in front of the fire, trying to ignore the way the cinnamon raccoon worked her fingers through the behind her ears and towards the back of her skull. She couldn’t run off, not now Artorias had clearly let them know she was here. But what would they expect? Anxiety began to build in her chest. How was she supposed to know who was who?

"speech".

I could use some friends for a change

Tamsyn turned her head curiously toward the sound of her son's call as he summoned the family to the great hall. It wasn't all that often that they were all called together like this besides for pack related gatherings, but it didn't sound like this was for the pack as a whole, more specifically just their family. She was helping Kane put away some herbs that they had collected while they were out so she wasn't too far from the hall. She gave him a kiss and then stepped out of the pharmacy, trotting down the corridor and through the main entry way to get to the west side of the castle where the feast hall was located. "Artorias? What's going-" she began as she walked into the room, but stopped as her mint gaze landed on a figure she hadn't seen in ages and had begun to believe she would never see again. The scarred woman's mint gaze widened with shock and surprise, blinking several times as she tried to make herself realize that this wasn't a dream, this wasn't a figment of her imagination. Her long lost daughter was actually here for the first time in longer than she could even pinpoint.

"Daphne?" she said softly in disbelief, padding closer as a smile pulled across her lips. She didn't notice any lack of recognition in her daughter's face as she hurried over to greet her, relieved tears welling up in her eyes as she leaned back on her haunches so she could reach up to wrap her forelegs around her much taller daughter's neck—doing her best to avoid hitting the pale raccoon that was perched on her back. "Oh, I was so worried!" she exclaimed as she hugged her tight, her tail wagging like crazy as she realized that this meant all of her children, save for Grimshaw, were finally home, all finally under the same roof again. She couldn't remember the last time that happened and what had felt like any other ordinary day suddenly felt like one of the greatest gifts she had ever received. She leaned back after a moment, letting her forelegs fall away so she could look over Daphne worriedly, looking for any signs of injury or hurt. "Are you okay? Are you hungry? There's plenty to eat!"

Tamsyn Carpathius

Rudyard had just recently come back from a patrol as he heard Art’s howl.  Rudy glanced in the direction of the training yard where he had thought to see if Fern was about but instead turned to go see what Art was calling them for.  When Rudy thought of it they hadn’t just grouped together as a family in some time.  Thinking back he remembered as a pup when it seemed more natural for them all clustered together, back when he’d been smaller and naïve.  Things had sure changed.

Rudy entered the room, body tensing from surprise at the sight before him.  “Daph?” Confusion ringed his voice and posture but as he stepped in closer a small grin started on his features and spread along.  The motley wolf had changed with only a puff left on his tail, and a metal bracer had been shaped so that it fully wrapped about under the foot, hidden within would be a lack of a few toes.  “Daph!” The same word but this time with more joy and his pace picked up so that he stood near.  

Mom was just finishing up hugging her and Rudy stood near, and while there were plenty of questions to ask mom had already thrown several at her.  Instead of drowning her in questions, Rudy remained quiet to let Daphne respond to those first.

"Speech"