Pestilence was almost ready to leave and only had a few more important wolves to say goodbye to. Her mother of course ranked very high on the list of important wolves, and she immediately sought to find the Empress wherever she may be. It wasn't too hard to find her, Pestilence had become a decent tracker throughout her training. The bleached white trees in the shrine still creeped her out and it felt weird to say goodbye in this land that was favored by her dead father. She did her best to ignore the creeping feeling beneath her spine, clearing her throat as she approached her mother. "Hi mom. I was coming to - to tell you that I'm leaving now." Her voice was soft and she had to fight to keep it from breaking. Beside her the monkey Deathbelle had gifted her carried some things from her den, hopefully the Empress would not be upset that she wanted to take her pelts and furs with her.

She knew that the day was coming, and it pained her to think about it. Her children were growing up, they were distancing themselves from her and becoming their own wolves. Deathbelle knew she would have to let go eventually, and for the majority of her children it was sooner rather than later. Toxicity and Calamity hated her for allowing Hannibal to be their sibling’s father and she wondered if they would remain in the pack for their sister or find their own way as Pestilence would.

Deathbelle peered into the glowing pool of the shrine as she aimed to pull forth comfort from her troubles and the sorrow of saying goodbye. Of letting her children spread their own wings and make their way in the world. Her heart dropped when she heard Pesto’s voice. Dark ears fell to her skull as she shifted slightly so that lilac eyes could settle on her dear daughter. For now tears wouldn’t well up in her eyes, but there were no promises they would remain in that state. The Empress swallowed hard and tried to grin to set the princess off right. She was proud, but her heart hurt, knowing she would no longer be within her arms in the Empire.

”You’re still sure you want to go.” It wasn’t a real question, Pesto had made up her mind. Deathbelle would encourage her to go forth and become the wolf she was supposed to be, but oh how hard she would miss her. She sighed again and moved forward, aiming to embrace her daughter in a loving hug. She prayed it would not be the last one.

Pestilence leaned into her mother's hug, laying her head upon her shoulder and relaxing into the comforting embrace. Her verbal response was a simple murmur of affirmation, muffled into the Empress' fur. It was a hard decision to make but Pesto was confident it was the right one for her. Eventually she pulled away to look her mother in the eye, exhaling a soft steadying breath. "I can come back anytime, right? I mean, what if no one else will take me?" She tried to smile to add playfulness to her words, though the worry was real in her tone. She'd caused enough trouble in Ashen, what if Fireside said no? Pesto couldn't imagine having to come grovel at her mother's feet to beg her re-entrance not a few days after a sincere goodbye. "I promise I'll do our Klein name as good as I can, and I'll send Pasketti with messages. If you need me I will always come." Growing up was hard, why hadn't anyone warned her about the difficulty of leaving home?

Deathbelle held tightly to her daughter, unsurprised by the muffled answer that came to her question. She sighed inwardly, doing her best to put on a strong and supportive front as she said her goodbyes. Belle breathed in softly as Pesto leaned back to make eye contact, the Empress nodded her head in return. ”Always.” She reassured her. ”Whoever denies you would be a fool to do so.” She encouraged her with a soft smile. The bittersweet of the moment was not lost on the Klein goddess. ”I know you will.” She assured the yearling. ”Take over the world my sweet child. Return to me one day with messages of your victories.” She had every confidence in her daughter, Pestilence would go into the world and show it what a true Klein was made of.

Her mother's words were exactly what a child might expect when they asked the parents if their dream was achievable. A tight smile tugged at Pesto's lips but it was hard to feel as confident as Deathbelle sounded. She could only hope that Fireside did not deny her, and that if it did that she'd find a home elsewhere. "Mom,  what happens when I leave?" The girl asked softly. "Fireside is not an extension of the Empire. What if.. what if they want to hurt Ashen? What if I'm called upon to raid my family and friends?" Her brows knitted, uncertain. "Where do you expect my loyalties to lie, if I find a new home? What if I'm forced to be labeled your enemy?" It was terrifying to think of. Pestilence knew somewhere inside her that as a soldier she was supposed to do as she was told, that her first loyalty should be to her pack and not her mother. Would her mother forgive her if she had to choose, and chose her new home?

Deathbelle narrowed her gaze slightly as Pestilence went on and for a moment she felt her own failing as a parent. Had she not instilled the desire to take over the world into her children? What was this kind of speak she was being given on the eve of Pesto’s departure? Questioning her loyalties and place in the future? ”You go there so that one day they might be under the Empire’s rule. Do what you must to integrate yourself, but remember how much greater your pack might be if they were ruled by the Empire. By you.” She raised her brows in expectation instead of doubt. If this had not been her goal the entire time why was she going? ”What did you intend to happen next?” She questioned softly. ”Where do you think your ultimate loyalties should be?”

Pestilence felt the shift in her mother's demeanor and pulled away from her embrace, brows knitting in worry. "I, I, you mean.." Her gaze dropped from her mother's face and she tried to collect herself while staring down at her paws. Take over Fireside for the Empire? But that wasn't why Pestilence was leaving. It felt dirty, like spying but worse. The yearling hadn't even considered the thought, the furthest she'd expected was that maybe with her help the two packs could become friends and allies. That maybe Tyrian would want to move under the blanket of the Empire, one day. "I don't know." She replied softly, her heart beginning to pound in her chest. This wasn't right, this wasn't what this conversation was supposed to be. Pesto did not know if she could betray them like that, the pack who would take her in and train her and where her best friend called home. "I thought... maybe Fireside and Ashen could be friends. Not.." Her ears pulled flat and she turned her head away.

She wasn’t sure what to think as Pestilence stuttered softly, as though she had never expected the answer she was given. For the very first time Deathbelle felt doubt in her powerful daughter. ”I don’t know.” The Empress tilted her head curiously, her unrest still bubbling as Pesto continued. Not friends if.. If what? What was going on deeper in her daughter’s mind. Maybe she wasn’t near as loyal to the crown as Belle thought she was. Maybe it was a mistake to let her go without more training, testing… It was too late now. ”You think Ashen and Fireside would not be friends were they to swear allegiance to the Empire? You see how close we are to the Armada, you wouldn’t want that with your pack?” Deathbelle’s voice hinted at the hurt she felt for the misunderstanding, and the renewed hurt she felt at the trail Pestilence actually wished to blaze. She sighed softly, suddenly very tired. Perhaps Pestilence would not carve out the greatness her lineage so demanded. Maybe that was why she was really leaving, to be rid of the pressure of her name. ”Do as you will.” She offered as her gaze shifted from Pesto’s features. She tried to hide her disappointments. ”You are not beholden to me any longer.” Her heart broke again as lavender eyes stole one final glance at Pestilence.