Deathbelle was slowly leaving her newest children to their own devices for longer. There were few moments when there were not eyes on the three children, many of the pack were eager to help keep them out of most trouble. Of course these children were special, and they already had an incredible talent to find mischief. She grinned at the thought of them, knowing she loved them deeply despite their penchant for being naughty.

Now that they were out and about and weaned off of her Deathbelle made a trip down to see her dear Iolaire. She had been too busy with the newborns to see much of her, but she had heard about the bear and her coming oath to the man that claimed her heart. Belle was still in love with her, but now she could be happy for the strides she was taking in life.

The garden was mostly harvested, the first snow was just around the corner. She wondered if Io spoke to Sirius about her needed travels yet. Surely she didn’t want to travel so much in the winter seasons? This and more on her mind she called out for her friend softly. ”Io?”

As ever, Iolaire had dirt on her paws when others needed her. The healer had been back in her secret garden when the call came. Of course she instantly recognized the voice and called Deathbelle into the cottage and out the back. Iolaire had fenced off this portion of land. The only entrance was by coming through her home. The things within were too dangerous to be left unguarded. Currently she was working on crafting a shelf off to the side where she might place pots of her various poisons.

So far she had constructed the framework of the shelf with tall saplings that were cut even. She had them securely tied with twine. Maybe too much twine, but she wanted the shelving to be incredibly sturdy. It was already backed up against the side of the hill where she had removed the land to flatten it into a long dirt wall. Having knotted the piece of twine that she was working on, Iolaire cast green-gold eyes to her dear friend. "Hey, Belle. How are you?" She was curious as to why the woman would seek her out. Maybe she just needed some companionship.

The Empress could hear her once lover’s voice call out to her from beyond. Curious, Belle made her way into the cottage and followed the path to the door at the back. Her lilac gaze observed the secret garden, it was an impressive area. She didn’t have her own poison garden, but she had found a beautiful courtyard deeper in the mountain caves that she planned to make her own. Detahbelle took notes before approaching the Armada healer. A smile played on her lips as she moved to give her dear friend a sweet nuzzle. They were no longer together, but both of them had long come to terms with the flow of their relationship. Deathbelle would always love the dainty woman.

”Hello,” she returned with a soft smile as she pulled away from the white marked woman reluctantly. ”Well enough, I came to check in.” She told her easily enough. They hadn’t spent near enough time together in the last seasons. Not that it could be helped. Deathbelle had just given birth and Io was getting to know her future husband. ”Winter will be here soon enough, maybe I shouldn’t have bothered you.” She offered an almost appology.

Belle nuzzled her and Iolaire returned that nuzzle. If her paws weren't full and she wasn't so dirty, she would have pulled her friend into a full embrace. There were times when she really missed being with the speckled woman. Their lives were set right now, however. Deathbelle had Hannibal and Io had Roan. Two men who loved them dearly. Io might always wonder what could have been though. Since she couldn't give Belle a hug, Io settled for giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Her friend spoke, uttering a sort of apology and Iolaire scoffed, nose wrinkled. "You're never a bother. I'm just glad that one of us had enough free time to seek out the other." A silver brow raised. "Everything going well on the home front? How are the pups doing?" She had been there for their birth and had even named the tiny little girl. She hoped that they would come to call her 'aunt' some day.

With the frame in place, Iolaire began lining up long saplings that would serve to form the surface of the shelving. Just as with the frame, she tied each of them in place with twine. Once she had the shelf constructed, she could move on to her next idea for the place. It was a surge of genius if she said so herself. It would have to wait until spring, however.

Iolaire returned her affection with a gentle nuzzle and a shy kiss on her cheek. Deathbelle’s lilac gaze sparkled with love for the tiny woman. She knew that she would forever have a special place with her. Maybe they couldn’t be the others one and only but their love would be forever. Io was obviously happy with her Roan, and that fact helped her to be happy with their arrangement. The Armada healer was happy to see her, knowing the both of them were busy with the coming of the next season. Deathbelle had her young children and Io had to preserve her medicines and plants for the dead season.

Io continued her work and Belle wouldn’t be offended, the Empress easily made herself at home and got comfortable in a corner with a few furs. ”I’ll remember to bother you more often.” She chuckled and offered her sweet friend an amused wink. ”Well enough, every litter has its complications. I think Chimera and Siren have vision issues.” Admitting that her children were not perfect was difficult, but Deathbelle had never been one to shy away from the truth no matter the difficulty. ”Beyond physically being able to see as well. Siren says she sees auras. And Chimera…” She wasn’t sure about the boy, he wasn’t very open with her. Of the three he was the most distant, and she wondered if she had done something wrong during his short life. ”I worry about him.” She looked away from Io, not that the woman’s gold green eyes would be on her anyway.

Again Deathbelle mentioned having to bother her and again, Iolaire replied. "You're never a bother!" Laughter took over and she shook her head. "Honestly, you're welcome any time. I'll even prepare the spare room for you if you decide to stay for a while." It might be a little awkward for Roan, but if Belle needed the break, Iolaire wouldn't want to deny her. With each branch upon the shelf, she became more efficient at the process. Soon she was adding and tying branches without even paying much attention. This was a good thing as she continued to speak to her company. "Sirius and Zee were worried about Mort initially as well. Azure too. Why do you worry about him?" She wondered if it might be something similar to Morts lack of confidence or Azure's abundance of confidence. "You say that Siren seen auras? Around wolves or around things in general?" She was rather curious about the psychology behind that. What could make a child believe that she saw auras? Was it a trick of her poor eyesight making her think that she saw such things? Deeming her shelving done, Iolaire wiped her paws upon a scrap of rabbit skin and went in to lay across from Deathbelle, giving the woman her full attention. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?" "Speech"

Deathbelle couldn’t help but feel like she was being a drag on the Armada healer, but she made her point when she went so far as to offer up a place to sleep if she so wished. Belle couldn’t deny that the offer was tempting. She wasn’t as close to Iolaire as they had once been, and she knew they would never be that close again. Still, Deathbelle cared deeply for her and didn’t wish to disturb anything. ”It’s always a comfort knowing I have you to lean on.” She returned softly as she aimed to sneak in an affectionate nuzzle. Io still managed to make her heart beat fast.

The healer bid her explain about her son further, offering her own observations on the new litter of the Armada. ”He’s distant.” All of her children besides Chimera had been snuggly and loving, but he was a loner and barely tolerated her touch. ”Not that that is a problem itself, but it’s deeper. Like he has trouble connecting to those around him or care about him. She offered her observations, remembering the one side conversation they had when she took him on patrol.

”Siren’s odd behavior worries me less. She’s so small I don’t feel like she could ever get in trouble. So far it only seems like she sees colors around wolves, though I’m near convinced its her eyesight. She says it’s only in her silver eye.” Which was likely not fully functional in its capabilities. ”Do you have some tea for stress?” She asked as olaire offered refreshments.

The affections given were returned. Yes, she loved Roan with all of her heart, but she loved Deathbelle as well, albeit in a different way. If the speckled woman needed affection, Iolaire would give it. Belle's words brought a grin from Io accompanied by a wink. "I'll always be here for you, Belle. Just say the word and my ears are open to you." She felt a little bad about not having paid a visit to Ashen since the pups were born, but there was so much on her plate. So much on both of their plates.

She listened as Deathbelle went on to speak of her son, Chimera. The boy was distant. So much so that Belle felt that he didn't, or couldn't, connect with anyone in the family. Iolaire tilted her head slightly as though deep in thought. She did love to help with issues of the mind. Perhaps she would pay the boy a visit. See what she could find. She then shared her worries about Siren, explaining the colors that she saw around wolves. That was fascinating. She would definitely like to speak to the girl. "Would you mind if I visited to speak to them both? Perhaps I could give a bit of insight then."

When Belle asked for stress relief tea, Iolaire chuckled. "Darling, I have tea for everything. Come with me." She led the empress back inside and motioned for her to rest upon the piles of furs if she wished. The small fire in the hearth was burnt down to coals, but she stoked it easily enough. Placing a stoneware pot filled with water onto the fire, she let it heat up. In the mean time, she placed some chamomile, lavender and hibiscus into two dishes. In a separate dish, she ground up a few leaves of stevia to sweeten the tea. A few minutes later, she poured the water over the herbs, catching the chunks with a sieve that she'd made from fine grasses woven together. Taking the dishes one at a time in her strange paws, she placed one before Deathbelle and a second across from her before depositing herself upon the furs. "Drink up."

Even if both of them had their paws full with duties in their own packs they were always there when they needed each other. This was the best kind of friendship, they didn’t have to see each other every day to know how much love they felt for one another. ”Thank you, Io. I won’t forget.” She smiled at her friend as she was ushered inside. Deathbelle made herself comfortable on the furs as Iolaire got to work.

”Of course,” she answered as Iolaire asked that she be allowed to visit with them. ”You’re welcome anytime.” She reminded her in return. To speak to the children or just to visit a good friend. Iolaire was always welcome by her side. ”You’ll have to let me know what you think. Especially if I can change anything to help them.” Chimera in particular. Deathbelle wanted to be loved by all of those in the Ashen Empire, not having the love of her son was hard.

Belle watched quietly as Iolaire prepared the tea, her mind thoughtful but at peace in the healer’s presence. There was so much to worry about, but being here she felt herself taking a step back and breathing again. Soon enough she was offered her own little bowl of tea, she smiled up at her hostess as she inhaled the steam deeply. ”Just what I needed.” She exhaled softly asnd took a few careful sips of the liquid.