Lucretia had been mulling over her recent meeting with Iolaire for a few days now. Something didn't quite add up, but she couldn't pin it down. Being as uninitiated as she was in the romantic arts, the healer was totally incapable of picking up on any clues that had been left for her. Broken bones and cuts she knew how to mend, shattered hearts were something else entirely. Part of her was hurt that Deathbelle hadn't confided in her - Luce didn't understand that the position Io occupied was a particular fascination that a sister couldn't help with.

Now that winter had given way to spring, she'd managed to gather together the ingredients that Deathbelle had requested for her tonic to prevent conception. It was a thick, ugly paste made of thistle, carrot seed, and honey. The texture was terrible and Luce was sure it went down even worse than it looked and felt to the touch. Even so, she was positive it would work as desired. It might even go so far as to prevent heat entirely, but she hadn't had enough time to thoroughly trial it; either way, the stuff was ready, and it was time to call Deathbelle.

The Klein called out for her sister, pacing restlessly by her concoction. It smelled rather pleasant and was stored in a shallow metal dish she'd found while scrapping alongside Iolaire; there were quite a few useful items she'd taken home along with tidbits of information.

Deathbelle patrolled the border of both the redwater rocks and the oasis, it was natural with the Armada’s presence there. Dainty paws almost brought her full circle when Lucretia’s call caught her attention. Mismatched ears swiveled in the direction she was now heading, certain that there was no great emergency awaiting her. She wondered if Luce might have finished her requested item. Not that she had her eye on any men, it was hard to get pregnant when you were doing it with another woman.

However, she would be glad to have the concoction on hand just in case. She held a bit of pride in her gait again, though she felt her loneliness it was easier to ignore with thoughts of Iolaire keeping her company. Even if she hadn’t seen the Armada healer in nearly a week she was still high off their encounters. Knowing she was out there somewhere was enough for now.

She shook her from her mind before rounding a bend to find Lucretia waiting for her. She could see Bourbon curled up and presumably asleep nearby. Belle was glad her sister was getting as much use out of her gift as she was. He was a loyal thing, a quick learner too. There was no wonder why Luce took to him so fast. ”Hello, dear sister.” She offered with a sweet voice, the sounds of her sorrow nearly completely drowned. She still had her moments, but her recovery was making progress, thanks to Iolaire.

Deathbelle didn’t hesitate to approach her sister with an affectionate nuzzle before leaning back on her haunches and peering at the bowl at their paws. ”What do you have for me?”

Lucretia returned Belle's affections, relishing the contact. It wasn't often that she opened herself up to other creatures outside of the family and lately she found herself more touch-starved than she had thought was possible. Luce was working herself to the bone but luckily the self-abasement had been mitigated by Bourbon's alert stewardship of her daily needs. There wasn't a day that she went without adequate sleep, food, or water and she had him to thank for it - even if she wouldn't admit it. Luce wasn't ready yet to admit that she was dependent on him. It was a blow to her self-esteem that she wasn't ready to nurse.

"Sister, I've put together the thing you asked for during the scarce winter months - that..." What was the word for it? "An anti-fertility concoction. I wasn't able to thoroughly test it, but if my hypothesis is correct, it will prevent pregnancy and may even prevent you from coming into season at all." Hormones were a tricky thing. They sometimes seemed to function outside of the medical realm entirely, as if they were powered by the soul and not the vessel of the body. Luce didn't like them at all. "It definitely won't taste as good as the honey tonics. Not everything can," she laughed. "I noticed you've been spending time with another healer," Lucretia pouted teasingly, nuzzling her sister's cheek before coming to sit close by her side. "Are my ministrations not enough for you?"

Belle loved that Lucretia trusted her enough to return the physical affection she offered. The Empress leaned into her sister’s touch as they greeted one another. She didn’t spend nearly enough time in Luce’s presence anymore. Especially afterseeing her everyday during her pregnancy.. Deathbelle neglected her, but at least she had the dog to look after her.

”That’s quite the potion.” She offered with brows raised, impressed at her sister’s work. ”Should it be taken all at once or periodically? How soon can I conceive after finishing?” She asked curiously before Luce offered up her observations of her visits with Iolaire. Luce had humor in her voice, but she knew that the insecurities were real.

She sat close by and Deathbelle nuzzled her softly. ”No, you are my healer. You are my Shamyn and placed there for a reason. I will never replace you.” She assured her while hesitating to explain her relationship to the Armada’s healer. ”Io’s healing abilities aren’t the reason we’re seeing each other.” She only hinted at the intimacy of their relationship. Luce had always been the least interested in carnal pleasures, and Belle was curious if she’d push for more information.

"Take a small amount daily, never more than a thin layer upon your paw that you lick off," she instructed. "Conception may take longer this time around, but the effects will fade entirely eventually. You may come into season more frequently, actually, when you first stop taking it consistently." The effects of this particular potion might be odd. "It would be best that you check in with me frequently, maybe every week or so," Luce said amiably, giving Deathbelle a little nudge. Maybe their relationship would slowly rebuild. Now that the children were becoming more independent and were growing up strong and healthy there was more room for them to relax.

"If you're not receiving any examinations, why has she caught your attention?" Luce complained. She couldn't help but wheedle her sister. Watching Belle scurry around having a ball with Sirius, Io, and Zee made her feel like a child again. Young, dumb, and left behind. Everyone else always effortlessly made friends and connections while Lucretia seemed to bumble along. The Klein healer couldn't figure out why others might find her bossy, critical nature a little bit... off-putting.

Luce didn’t hesitate in her description of the serum. Just a tiny bit every day and it would eventually wear off leaving her with the possibility of more frequent bouts of fertility. She would certainly keep the liquid, but would she need it if she continued to have Iolaire as her mistress? Luce was quick to solve the conundrum of their distance as well, she wanted to see her at least once a week. ”I’ll be here, and you know you can stop in and check on the pups whenever you want.” If that meant seeing more of her sister the better she’d be.

Her young sibling didn’t give up about her relationship with the Armada healer either. If her healing abilities were not her draw, what was? Deathbelle grew silent and a bit somber but she couldn’t help the way her lips pulled back in a grin as she thought about the woman. ”She is my… lover, Lucretia.” She admitted hesitantly but without shame. Deathbelle couldn’t help but adore the dainty woman.