Odette had turned to follow her prints back towards the den she had been given to stay in, the den where her new feline companion would undoubtedly still be resting in, oblivious to the new adventure that awaited Odette. Though she was certain Cordonia would demand to make the journey with her and Sirius, Odette would not allow it. A desert cat in the rain forest, on top of a volcano, or in the grasslands, none sounded like suitable options. The creamy woman had to make up some sort of reason, and a good one, to convince the feline to stay. Perhaps get her to go back to her sandy dunes for a bit? Or make the den they were given more attuned to their liking, anything to distract her while Odette traveled. The only problem was... she didn't know how long it would take, or when she should be expected back. Surely the cat would ask, and Odette wouldn't have a good enough answer. She let out a long groan, dragging her paw against the sands as she traveled along the vaguely familiar path back to the den. The female paused, only for a moment, to lift her head to the rustling of the palm leaves above her. Strangely enough, before today, she had never seen such a tree before, but even now she was growing accustomed to the hard, rippling bark that curved as the trunk grew closer to the sky, only to blossom at the very beak. For a moment, she let herself smile softly at the simple beauty, before her looming conversation brought back a worried glance to her features. 

"Odette"

It had not escaped her notice that a stranger had found herself in their territory, and surely it had not escaped Sirius' either.  If the warlord had not already come and put the woman down, Zee was certain he had approved of her presence here. That didn't mean she wasn't curious and a little concerned, her protectiveness for her growing pack swelling with each day. She'd found the stranger easily enough, and came up behind her to give her greeting. "Hello." Her voice was gentle enough yet still confident and she held herself with the posture of a queen. "What is it that's brought you to the lands of the Ashen Armada?" She'd jump straight to the point, unwilling to give the woman the benefit of the doubt or assume that she was not a threat without reason. "Speech"

So entranced with her own thoughts, Odette didn't hear the footsteps of the approaching woman, nor did her mind register the new scent in the soft breeze. No, instead Odette stayed oblivious, staring up at the coconuts in the tree until a voice startled the fawn woman. Panicked eyes turned to find another female, one coated in a light fawn and blessed with strange green hued marks around her eyes. But what really took Odette by surprise, were the large horns adorned on her crown. "Oh... uh.. Hi." She mumbled sheepishly, her ears flattening against her head as she dropped her gaze, finding herself unable to stare at the wolf's added... features. Just like with Sirius, something new and shocking was added to this wolf, causing Odette to wonder if she was... below average in some way. What if the wolves here were exposed to some ind of radiation when the volcano exploded? That would explain the extra long teeth and added height Sirius had, and the strange, curling horns this woman before her displayed. 

Suddenly Odette realized the woman had asked her a question, and she blanked for a moment before remembering what it was and she quickly jumped to answer it. "Sirius. He... uh... found me.. trespassing I think and.. uh.. brought me to a den.. and.. now we're going on a... trip?" She awkwardly stuttered out, trying to find an adequate answer and summarize everything from the day before and the conversation they had just shared... all into one. Though Odette didn't know this female, it was obvious she was comfortable in this place, and from that Odette could only image she was one of Sirius's wolves. For all of her awkwardness, Odette could only hope that her answer would be enough to satisfy her, so she wouldn't have to run screaming back to the large male so he could save her from this woman's wrath. 

"Odette"

Zee listened intently, her neutral expression giving nothing away. The poor woman was startled by her presence, and that in itself did not instill confidence in this new potential pack member. At first she'd wondered what could have possessed Sirius to bring in a sheepish, flighty woman but as she began to explain Zee began to see. "Trespassing." She repeated thoughtfully. "Well, that explains a lot." Typically Zee did not approve of Sirius' capture-and-train policy on wolves, bringing in slaves and then molding them and breaking them to gain their loyalty. A trespasser was a different matter entirely, and even the soft-hearted Queen had to agree that they could not allow their pack to be seen as weak. They were tasked with the protection of the Ashen empire, and the world needed to know that they were not kind to those who disrespected them. She looked into the sheepish woman's eyes for a long moment before speaking again. "You may call me Zee, I am the Armada's Queen and Sirius' mate." It was only polite to introduce herself, and she needed the other woman to know that it was a wolf of authority who'd be speaking to her now. "I'm not sure what my husband's intentions may have been for you, but regardless you will not be going on any trip. You belong to me now - to me and to the Armada - and will remain here until the day you earn your freedom." She lifted her head towards the larger wolf, lips pulling back to show just the beginnings of teeth. With Zee's small stature it wasn't uncommon for wolves to underestimate her, and she aimed to get across that the woman should consider hard before trying to start a fight. "Speech"

Odette let out a sigh of relief when the woman seemed to accept her response, her nerves settling if only slightly. She couldn't understand why the wolves of these lands were so strange and so serious all the time, but it was most certainly not Odette's style. She was laid back, trained in fine arts, a traditional lady in her homeland which seemed all but useless here in the desert and with these wolves. When the horned woman spoke of being actual mates to Sirius, Odette felt extremely confused and more frightened than ever. If this female was lovers with that beast, what kind of beast was she? Though small, her horns would surely be a sign of strength, some hidden power of some kind? "O-oh.. apologies.. m'lady." She grimaced at the sound of her own voice, shaking with the fear swelling up in her. Odette would lower her head, with her ears flattened against her skull as her tail tucked. This wasn't going well...

As Queen Zee suddenly lifted her head and curled her lip, speaking with such determination it made Odette's legs shake with fear as they threatened to drop her to the very ground. The way she spoke about owning a wolf, owning Odette, made it sound like she was a slave here. Trapped for all intensive purposes. She didn't understand, when Sirius had given her a spot here in his pack, even if only for awhile, he said nothing about being trapped. She was going to work off her trespassing, and that was all. But the way his Queen put it, it sounded like Odette was going to be forced to stay with them... stay here in the Oasis, for much longer. Tears pulled up in her eyes as she finally gave in and let herself fall to the ground, her fear causing her body to tremble uncontrollably. "I-I'm sorry... I don't.. I don't understand. Sirius said... he just said he needed.. needed my help on some projects. He didn't... he never said... anything about being a.. a slave." Her words came out in between her panicked breaths, the tears that had been built up now slowly falling down her cheeks. How did this happen? In the past 24 hours she had gone from a rogue, to lost, to trespasser, to pack mate, to slave. It seemed like life was being thrown in high speed and no one was letting Odette get a word in. The fawn woman couldn't lift her gaze to peer at the woman, one who seemed so small now felt like a looming threat from above, and Odette felt hopeless under her gaze.

Her only thought; Sirius picked one heck of a Queen. 

"Odette"

Zee's gaze softened slightly as the woman cowered before her, her lips losing their wrinkle as she relaxed her snarl. The guilt was beginning to get to her, and she wondered to herself how Sirius could ever keep so cold in a situation such as this. She'd told him she didn't have the heart to be a queen, and her empathy towards the sad crying woman who'd she'd deemed a slave was only evidence of it. "You don't need to be afraid." Zee told her softly, not wanting to upset the woman further. Her own humble origins came back to her, and while she'd essentially sold herself into slavery, she still understood what it felt like to have your freedom stripped away. "I will not hurt you, nor will anyone here. Any outsider who means to harm you will need to get through Sirius and myself to do so. You will be protected, fed, and provided for. In return you give us whatever skills you may have, and obey to the best of your ability." Sirius had been the one to teach Zee how to properly serve her masters, and his words came back to her now. "I do not expect blind devotion of you, though my wish is that over time you'll come to respect us, and will want to be obedient." A soft sigh pulled from her lips, and she settled down to lay on the ground before the shaking wolf. Deathbelle had never mistreated Zee, and in turn Zee grew to love the woman. Though her memories of so long ago were foggy, she knew the Empress was always kind to her regardless of her position. "I've been where you are now, and through hard work and devotion I was granted my freedom. My mistress then is now my closest friend and sister now, and I lead her Armada beside Sirius with her blessing." She wanted to get across that this was not a death sentence nor the end of her freedom perpetually. There was room to grow, and if Odette strived for it then she could achieve the same. "I will place you where I was placed - a handmaiden. A servant to me personally. Though you will obey the other ranked wolves of the Armada, your main focus will be on assisting me." While she wanted to make the woman feel better, she needed to be careful not to give her too much free rein. She could present it like a choice and this wolf could make the decision she felt best suited for, but ultimately Zee aimed to ensure she knew that neither of the options would be to leave and be free - yet. "If you feel you can't do that, then you can remain a simple pack slave and I will find another to serve me personally." "Speech"

She sniffled her tears as Queen Zee suddenly spoke softer, with more compassion than Odette had ever expected. Though the Queen thought Odette didn't need to be afraid, that didn't mean the fawn woman didn't want to tremble like an earthquake. But the more she explained it, the higher Odette would raise her head, finding her nerves to be soothed by the woman's calm voice. She couldn't understand why she would need protecting from other wolves, so far the most dangerous wolves she had met were her new leaders. But she appreciated the offer anyway, because while Odette knew little of this world and it's inhabitants, surely a Queen would know a great deal more. Cyan eyes would watch silently as the horned Queen would come to lay on the ground with her, much to Odette's surprise. "I am so new to these lands... so new to these customs.. I just feel so.. lost." She would mumble softly, trying to explain her situation more as if that would help. 

Odette's eyes would widen as Zee spoke of her past and for a moment she wondered if this was all a lie; after all how could a slave become a Queen? "Truly? You were a slave?" She questioned, hope laced in her doubtful words. But then the Queen gave her a mission, and actual title, that brought both relief and confusion onto her features. "A handmaiden? What would that entail, do you think?" She inquired, trying to get a grip on her new objective before she agreed to anything. Odette knew very little what a Queen did for work, but she was beginning to doubt that she had the skills to serve such a high authority properly. However, if it was small, easy work that she would be require, even a list of things, that might be something she could do. She let out a shaky laugh, feeling her nerves settle with her body, the tremors fading away. "You are a most terrifying, yet kind Queen. I can see why Sirius chose you." Not trying to overstep her boundaries, she did want to let Queen Zee know her words were appreciated, as well as her opportunity. 

"Odette"

The woman was still frightened regardless of Zee's intentions, though perhaps feeling just a bit more comfortable and less in immediate danger. She admitted to not knowing much of this land's culture and habits, and Zee dipped her head in understanding. "Thank you. I experienced quite a shock myself when I first arrived here, though it did not take me long to learn. Sirius explained it to me as the strong protecting the weak, and the weak in turn offering their service for that reassurance. I did not enjoy being thought of as weak, and over time I rose out of that position. Now I will do my part to protect those who can't protect themselves." While it wasn't the whole story, and she still disagreed with slavery in general... Zee was an extension of Deathbelle and her Empire now. She'd parrot off whatever philosophy was asked of her, personal beliefs aside. "I won't expect much of you to begin with. You can start out the same as I did. You'll show yourself at my den in the morning, help me to keep myself looking well-kept. Deathbelle enjoyed her paw massages, but I don't think I'll be asking that of you." She gave the woman a small amused smile. "One day I'll have children, and you'll care for them as well as myself. Miscellaneous tasks I'm sure I'll request occasionally, to find me furs or to collect herbs for Iolaire." Her paw lifted and twirled around in the air, as if to say 'et cetera, et cetera.' She paused then, as if remembering something. "Oh, do you have any particular skills to speak of? You don't appear to be a warrior, though it will be helpful to know if you can heal, or hunt, or whatnot." "Speech"

It would seem a slave in this pack wasn't a death sentence, but rather an entry position that had potential to open Odette new options, new positions to rise in ranking. Though she hated the term Slave, perhaps she could simply use handmaiden. It sounded less terrifying and demeaning, which brought an ease to Odette's hesitations. Cyan eyes stared at the Queen before with admiration, hearing the tale of her rise from less than ash to higher than gold, with a lace of honor in her position now. "I guess when you put it like that... it doesn't seem so bad." She allowed herself a small smile, beginning to feel more positive about her situation. As the queen began to explain some of the duties she would have to have to preform, her face lit up with joy. "Are you carrying pups? Right now?" Her voice was laced with excitement as she imagined caring for small children.

Pups were one of the few things in this world that always brought smiles to whoever witnessed them. And each pup would grow into their own person, and each day one could watch their personalities grow and differentiate across the litter. Not to mention between the Queen's beautiful pale colors and unusual horns, to Sirius's dark hues and elongated fangs, their pups were surely going to be a spectacle. Unlike any other pups Odette has had the privileged to care for. "How wonderful.." she would mumble, more to herself than the Queen. When asked about her particular skill sets, Odette had to think about what she had that would be beneficial to a pack, until her eyes lit up. "I can hunt for you! Alone I won't be able to catch many large prey, but perhaps I can find plenty of small game. I've never been taught the way of healers, but I would be open to learning if it was needed. But I don't see myself.. really.. ever.. fighting someone." She was terrified of the wrong shadow, so she highly doubted she would find herself seeking out spars or warrior training. Odette gazed up at the queen with hopeful eyes, hoping this would be satisfying for Zee.

"Odette"

Zee gave a soft laugh and a smile to the excited woman, glad that the one she'd chosen to serve her was fond of children. She needed their caretaker to love them as she did, to want them protected and healthy and strong. Any slave could babysit, though it took a kind heart to help her and Sirius raise a child. If it was to be anything like her relationship with Deathbelle's children, the future pups would grow close to Zee's handmaiden. "Not yet." She responded, amused. "Hopefully soon, we shall see. Not until we move to our permanent lands, for sure." The oasis was beautiful, though she didn't wish to trouble any children with such an abrupt change of scenery. Plus, there was the issue of Sirius' night terrors, and until he was healed he could not be trusted around defenseless children at night.

"Hunting will be perfect. You will learn to skin your kills, our pack will make use of their furs for blankets and the children I suppose will need some as well." It felt odd to speak of them as if they were a sure thing - perhaps Sirius' prodding had finally gotten to her. Nevertheless. "You will be required to learn basic defense here, though it is my intent that you will never need it. I will protect you, as will my mate. Though I can't have you taken down with one swing before I can reach you." It was a hard subject, and one the previous new recruit had issue with as well. Though it was important knowledge to have, and Zee wanted to see all the wolves in her care protected at any cost.

Odette was a little saddened that the queen was not expecting, but with the promise of a pregnancy in the near future, who could not be excited? While pregnancies were not always welcomed to females, the fawn woman could rest easy knowing the horned queen already had a plan, and Odette could rest knowing she wouldn't need to worry about a pregnant queen on a long trip. Though she still worried about going to a land so close to an active volcano, no matter how much reassurance Sirius gave her. She smiled up to Zee, blue orbs bright with wonder. "Sounds like a good plan. I will do my best to assist you and your young." She promised, nodding her head in reassurance. While she had not planned to be dumped into a new pack so soon, nor at a rank such as a handmaiden, Odette was excited to be in charge of young. Not to mention she always had an admiration of pregnant females, and she would look forward to learning all she can about the process. "Though I doubt you will need much help. I think you'll be a great mother, if you could calm me on my most stressful day, I'm sure you can handle anything tiny pups can throw at you."

Odette narrowed her eyes when she was told to learn to skin her kills, especially because that would mean she wouldn't be able to simply eat once caught. As if that wasn't a big enough problem, Odette did not know who would be able to teach her such a skill. "Is there an elder here who can teach me? Or am I to run a trial and error course?" While she would feel more comfortable with an elder to guide her, and it would make the skinning process much quicker, Odette understood that knowledge was a privilege not easily gained. Her ears twitched with anxiety as the Queen told her she would need to learn to defend herself, and while it made sense, that did not mean she liked the idea any more. "I suppose that makes sense. But I am.. shy when it comes to violence." Odette could only pray whatever poor soul was going to teach her was a kind and gentle one. Hopefully someone who would understand her lack of knowledge and not attack her for not knowing better.

"Odette"

Zee was glad for the woman's enthusiasm, it would be good to have capable healers and caretakers in her corner for the day when she'd finally conceive. If only someone could first cure her husband's night terrors so he'd be safe to be around the pups, they could get at bringing up the next generation. As far as Zee knew however, that day was far far away. Odette's words were a compliment, and Zee gave her a warm smile. "I hope so, though I can't be certain. If they're anything like their father both you and I are in for a handful for their first year." She chuckled softly.

When asked about learning, Zee gave a thoughtful hum. They had few wolves who could be considered elders, but that didn't mean there was no one available to teach. "Many of the Ashen hunters are adept, and most of the fighters as well. It's not often they return from a bear attack without a nice rug to line the den with." She paused to think once more, and after a while returned to the conversation with an uncertain tone. "I'll have to consider who'd be best suited to teach you. Sirius of course is skilled in both battle and hunting - as well as skinning his kills - though if you're shy of violence he might not be the best to learn from. I'll try to find someone softer. You need not know too much, simply enough to protect yourself if we aren't nearby. I promise it won't be too traumatic, I didn't want to learn combat either though I was eventually persuaded."

The other woman seemed much calmer, and Zee took that in itself as a win. She'd earned herself a handmaiden and friend, and done it without damaging the wolf's psyche as Sirius might have. It was a good note to leave it on. "You're free to leave, our den is along the western edge of the territory near the cove. Make yourself at home somewhere nearby, I'll want you somewhere close."