Deathbelle walked the border of Ashen and the Armada her lithe form lit by moonlight and framed by snow. The islands were warm, but the winter was harsh on the mainland. She wore her polar bear headdress, and held her head high despite the strolling pace. Everything was quiet and still, no prey animals were out and it seemed the pack was keeping to themselves. Belle was completely alone.

The sensation wasn’t particularly familiar, she preferred to have company. Tonight Snowberry and Thistle were nowhere to be seen. Loneliness wasn’t pleasant, but the night was peaceful and she felt a serene calmness about her. A soft sigh left the Empress’s lips as she slowed to a halt and cast her gaze to the sky above. It was clear as the air around her and the brightness of the billions of stars was hers to behold.

Patrols were taking longer and longer these days. The giant woman had gratefully given half of the trek over to Dunkan, but she still had to do her part. Rather than pound along at her usual pace, the scarred dame took her time, moving slowly along the border between the packs. Something stopped her. Perhaps it was the memory of the bear that had invaded Ashen lands. Since both packs were welcome in either land, Resin broke from her normal routine and moved deeper into Ashen.

The fae's dusty blue nose flared as she tested the air for any more ursine intruders. If it happened once, there was a chance that another bear might follow the scent of the former into the lands. Thankfully, the only scent of bear was the scent of blood from the beast that she and Sirius had killed. The stench was old and stale, but it still drifted now and again on the breeze.

Satisfied, Resin turned and began making her way back towards Armada lands. Movement from the side brought the dame's head turning and she caught sight of a wolf garbed in some strange garments. Well, not everyone could be as hardy as she. The night was a little crisp, but not enough to make her wear some sort of extra fur.

With a slight huff that sent tendrils of steam drifting from the woman's nares, she began to move towards the Armada once more. It looked like the other woman was enjoying her solitude. Resin wouldn't ruin it.

Deathbelle was alone for a long few moments but her star gazing shifted as she heard the sound of big paw steps. Maybe she should have been more prepared to see a bear or cat but she expected to find Sirius. Bright lavender gaze looked from the endless sky to the massive frame nearer the border, but she could tell immediately it was not her childhood friend. Belle tilted her head curiously, wondering if the woman would approach or move away.

She was a little disappointed when Resin moved back towards the Armada. She couldn’t help her loneliness, though she had hope that Magnus would make it through she was still so alone. ”You can linger if you wish.” She offered softly as she reclined back onto ivory speckled haunches and returned her gaze to the sky, silently hoping she might have company.

A soft voice rang out, meeting black-backed ears. Damn. Having been seen and addressed, she had no choice but to engage in small talk. The big woman slowed, then turned and moved back towards the woman staring at the sky. She didn't particularly wish to linger, but if this wolf needed something...

Coming up close, Resin seated herself a comfortable distance away from the other wolf. She'd seen her in passing, but she knew nothing of her. It was that way with most wolves of the packs. Unless they approached her directly, she would go on without knowing them. It suited her just fine. She wasn't exactly sociable. It was almost comical that she had birthed Iolaire and was the sister to Meadow. Both of the tiny women were chatterboxes and could talk the ears off of anyone. That wasn't Resin though. Not at all. So, she simply sat in silence, staring up at the same stars as the woman beside her. If the hooded dame wished to speak, she was free to do so. Resin would listen.

Deathbelle had seen the impressive warrior at the raid, other than that she was unfamiliar. She felt a bit of relief as Resin shifted and moved closer, silently taking a seat somewhat close. Even without hearing her voice just the stoic presence being beside her gave Deathbelle a feeling of comfort. This was one of Sirius’s wolves, if she was correct in her assumption, Iolaire’s mother. The silence between them was calming and Deathbelle relaxed further, laying herself on the ground as she took in the sky with wonder. With the spring it didn’t take long for frogs to begin to chirp through the night. A few larger bullfrogs added their voices along with crickets here and there. Deathbelle took in a deep breath and let it out with a soft sigh, appreciating the quiet company.

It seemed as though the speckled woman was content to sit in silence. That worked well enough for Resin. She wasn't big on talking, after all. If they woman cared to eventually speak, she would do so. If not, they could sit here silently until one of them decided to pack up and leave.

Since the other wolf decided to fully rest, the scarred dame slid down to lay upon her stomach as well. All the better to take the weight off of her twinging leg. It was getting better, but she wasn't fully there yet. As of late, she'd been taking it easier than she had her entire life. Just a few days prior, she'd actually stayed home instead of patrolling the border. That was a big step for someone that always had to be on the go.

Tilting her skull, the grey and black fae looked to the sky as well. Things up there didn't interest her too much, but it was nice to look now and again. Tonight was a decent night to look, so it would hold her attention a bit longer.

”Thank you,” she offered softly, though loathe to kill the silence. Deathbelle finally realized who Resin was, she was injured and it was because she helped kill the bear that attacked Magnus. Deathbelle’s eyes remained on the bright stars in the sky above as though shed said nothing at all. The peace of the night swathed her ivory splashed form. The night was her element as it was for many of Klein lineage.

The Empress spared a glance towards the hardened warrior, her loyalty to the Armada was more than obvious but with her efforts on Ashen lands she knew her dedication. Sirius really knew how to find them. Belle’s lips pulled back in the hint of a smile only barely visible in the darkness.

It seemed that the silence was destined to be broken, for a moment later the woman spoke. Strangely enough, she thanked the maned woman. Arching the scarred brow above her missing eye, the woman's damaged tones rumbled free. "Whatever for?" She hadn't done anything aside from sit next to the woman.

While waiting for an answer, Resin looked back to the sky. Good timing too. A flare of shooting stars arced across the dark expanse, but soon petered out and lost their glow. A deep sigh drifted from the scarred dame. She was quite relaxed at the moment and was content to stay here for as long as the other woman needed.

Resin rumbled back in return, uncertain where her appreciation was coming from. Deathbelle continued to watch the sky as she let silence wash back over them for a long moment. She enjoyed the quiet simplicity of Resin’s company. She had a calming aura around her, and the quiet soothed the Empress and her soul.

Lilac eyes watched the fireburst of shooting stars as Resin offered a heavy sigh. Deathbelle took in her own deep breath before letting her own soft sigh filter from her dark lips. ”Your dedication.” She said softly as the brilliant lights in the sky flittered out. Belle shifted her attention to the old one eyed woman. ”For the sacrifice you’ve made for the Empire, and Magnus.” She offered more clearly, feeling her heart flutter at the mention of the black and white man.

Her dedication? Ah, now she got it. This woman thought that Resin had intervened and put her self in the path of danger for the sake of the Empire. That was far from the case, but she wouldn't tell her that. Resin was a naturally protective wolf. If possible, she would save the life of anyone that she saw was in danger. Pack or no pack. In the situation with the bear, she had been in her protective mode. The beast had tasted wolf blood and had needed to be dealt with.

Instead of telling Deathbelle how it really was, Resin simply nodded. Whether she was it or not didn't matter. She hadn't saved the life of Magnus. That had been Iolaire. The bear had already been gone when she arrived. Only after she tracked it had she killed it. And only then with the help of Sirius. There was no need to thank her for that. She could thank her for knocking some sense into the warlord after, but that was about it.

Deathbelle couldn’t know that her assumptions were incorrect, but Resin was who she was. It didn’t much matter the reason she put herself in peril she had done so without hesitation. She was an asset to the Empire weather she wished for the recognition or not. Belle was proud to have the seasoned veteran under Ashen rule.

She reminded her of Iolaire to a point, and she was nearly sure that the woman was her once love’s mother. Thoughts of her time with the dainty healer brought her a mix of melancholy and joy. Calling her her own for that bit of time.. Deathbelle’s heart had never been the same, but maybe she was on the upswing. If Magnus survived.

In either case, the Empress had shown her appreciation, and that was what counted. The silence between them continued, but it was a comfortable silence with a peace that was good for the soul.

The silence stretched on and on. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but it had been a long night and a long walk. Resin was ready to get back to her den and sleep. If the smaller woman had nothing more to say, then she would be off.

Rising, the scarred lady shook out her thick pelt. Casting her golden gaze towards the resting dame, she offered a single nod before starting to pad off. She would return to her den, get some rest, then wake and do it all over again.

- exit unless stopped-