The days since the gray couple’s children entered the world have been filled with firsts. Like, the first time they opened their eyes. Or the first stumbling steps each one took. Fern smiles happily at the playing pups, the fireplace bathing the room in warmth and light as they tumble around. Today is going to be another day of firsts and the gray woman gives Rudy a tender kiss on his cheek before asking softly, “Ready?” She knows he is on high alert, ready to jump in and prevent any injuries that might come from puppy curiosity.

Once Rudyard gives his acknowledgement, Fern stands, offering him a reassuring grin before clearing her throat and looking to their pups, “Alright little ones. Who is ready to go out and explore?” Eyes sparkle with delight as she looks them over, stopping any who try to bolt for the door and giving them soft tuts. “Wait, wait, wait. There are a few rules. Don’t leave our sight, no touching anything sharp, and no killing each other.”

A chuckle bubbles out as she looks to Rudy, allowing him to add on any rules she missed and, once he is done, Fern trots to the door that, until now, has remained closed. Swiftly, the gray woman opens the door and says, “Alright, let’s go greet the Hallows!” The sound of four sets of puppy paws scrambling for the door fills the hallway as Rudyard and Fern’s puppies race out into the world.


"Fern Carpathius" | "Puff"

Caladia plays with her siblings, pouncing onto Kipling’s back and growling at him. She is bored and, while this room is okay, she really wants to see what is beyond the wooden door. Mom clears her throat, waiting for them to give their attention to her and the mottled girl huffs, sliding off Kip’s back and into a seated position on the floor. Luckily, mom seems to read their anxious energy and asks if they are ready to go explore.

Eyes widen with eagerness and she chirps, “Yeah!” Legs churn as she launches her small body at the wooden barrier, only to be blocked by her mother’s leg. Pouting, she looks up at mom but grins when she realizes that she just needs to listen to rules. Okay, okay, she’s got it. Finally, they are allowed to move toward the door and Caladia looks at her siblings, her excitement causing her body to wiggle as they go.

Once the barrier is moved, the mottled girl sprints through it, stopping in the middle of the huge hallway to look around. This place is gigantic! Looking behind her, Cal waits for her siblings, ready to be off and exploring. If only they would hurry up…


"Caladia Carpathius"

Rudy watched the playing pups, grinning at the truest form of magic in the world, new life. Fern and Rudy’s love had created these kids.  The world was about to meet the next litter of Carpathian children.  They were an energetic bunch and Rudyard would expect no less.  At Fern’s question, he winked at her, “Am I ready? I’m not the one to ask.  The question is if the rest of the Hallows are ready for this.”

Rudy listened to Fern’s rules even as he watched the antics of the pups hearing the offer of freedom to a new world.  Rudy’s grin grew s he made his way next to Fern, glancing from her and down to the pups, “Well, you can play in the garden and courtyard.  If you see another room in the castle you want to go to be sure to ask your mom or I.  Be mindful of the stairs.  We only walk downstairs.”  Rudy had learned of Art’s litter and the tumble downstairs.  Hopefully, his warning was enough to not cause such a thing to happen again.  Rudy’s gaze flicked to Kipling, wondering how the three-legged pup would manage stairs.  Well, they’d find out soon enough.  If they wanted to look around the great hall or a guest room and such Rudy didn’t mind but he’d want to know where they were. “I bet your mom won’t mind if we don’t see you everyyyy moment.”

His gaze flicked to each of their pups, watching to ensure they were all as hopeful and excited as he imagined. “Now,” Rudy waited as Fern was opening the door, “Go make some new friends.  I want to hear exciting stories at the end of the day.  Safe, exciting stories.”  Hopefully at least safer than some of the stories Rudy had growing up.  Rudyard steps out the door once it opens, careful to not step on any of their kids at the same time.

"Rudyard & Fern"

They had been confined to the room, and only the room, as they grew. Sometimes her parents would leave, and it left Elowen very curious about the world beyond the room they lived in. She had gotten curious, creeping toward the door a couple of times, trying to steal a sneak peek of the outside world, but she was always caught and brought back to her siblings. Today, however, there would be no reason to try and steal a sneak peek, as they would be allowed to go outside into the castle at last! Not that El knew that when she woke. She was too busy trying to get Falcon’s attention for play when she heard her mother clear her throat. The girl’s gaze turns to their dam, listening to what she has to say. Her eyes light up as her mother asks who is ready to explore. “Me!” She glances around at her siblings, an eager grin on her face. This was what she was waiting for! Caladia sets off, and Elowen is prepared to take off after her, but seeing her sister stopped by their mother’s leg she pauses, waiting to hear more rules that their dam would set in place. Elowen frowned a little. The rules made sense, she guessed, but she wished they didn’t have to have them set in place. How were they supposed to explore if they all were supposed to stay in their sight? Their father also had something to say, and El listened to him. He made sure to mention they were supposed to walk down the stairs and Elowen nodded. Right, whatever stairs were! Then they were set free, and Elowen bolted from the room into the open hallway with Caladia. Her bi-colored eyes widen with wonder as she looks around at everything. “Woahhh!” There might not be a lot in the hallways, save the windows, but the massive amount of space she sees excites her. Without waiting for anything else, El darts towards one of the windows, standing on her hind legs to just barely peer into the world outside. “I want to go there!” The pup barks, eager to see the world outside of the walls they called home. "Talk," 'Think.'

Kipling was pounced by Cal, falling onto his belly with a huff but he certainly didn’t stay down long.  The boy twisted his body around, getting on his back with three legs shoving to get Caly off of him with a nip aimed to her muzzle.  It didn’t matter as she was soon off and more important things were on hand like getting to go beyond the door.  They had all wondered what it would be like to leave their room and finally, it was going to happen.

Kipling’s gaze flicked to mom and then dad as they gave the rules.  Right, sure, stay in sight or in the courtyard garden area.  Kipling wondered what those areas were like but only for a second because then the doors were opened and the pup charged out, determined not to be beaten by his other siblings.  Caly slows to glance behind, El goes to a window but oh no, not Kipling.  He has to get as far ahead as possible to see everything he can before the others get to some gret unknown first.

The stairs come into sight, evident by the way they lead down to even more sights to see.  Kipling glanced down then let out his best challenging howl to let everyone know, Kipling was going to the courtyard!  Anyone who wanted to meet him should be there!  “C’mon, let's go!” Called to the other pups before he’d hop down the staircase, one stair at a time.

"Kipling Carpathius"