gather round me {ASHEN MEETING}

Having child felt like it had aged her 1,000 years. Luce had no idea how Belle had survived her much larger brood. She'd smelled it on her though - after her first litter had reached triumphant yearlinghood, Deathbelle had fallen pregnant again. Lucretia minded her own business, but she had seen how close Hannibal and the empress had grown. Much, much closer than typical siblings. Even now she could see his eyes trained on her from across the clearing. Luce made no assumptions. She would hear her sister out. Deathbelle had overcome so much. Lucretia trusted her beyond measure to make the correct choice in all situations. She'd always idolized and respected her older siblings. Even though she was naturally cynical and inquisitive to a fault, the older Kleins had risen above to become infallible.