Queens and their crowns

Venom would not leave her waiting long and Recluse would give the young new empress a gracious dip of her head. Better to offer her all the formalities now than regret her callousness later. "I did Venom." She said, still not rising to her paws, though, she expected their negotiations may take some time and wasn't inclined to standing around while they talked. Lilith was notably absent today, the serpent having been left with her captives, she intended for this just to be a chat between them, though she'd not complain if her cousin's squirrel showed its face.

"I am not sure how much you know about the captives within your lands but they were mine to do with as I pleased. I have since learned they are the mate and child of an alpha to the south, who had agreed to give me his pack for their safe return. That exchange is soon approaching and without mincing words, I am not eager to start my reign as a queen surrounded by wolves I cannot trust not to try and slit my throat, but I also am not too hopeful that any of the pack's members will choose to follow me. I had your mother's assurance of aid in that regard. Put simply, I seek to expand the empire's reach and envision my own pack as an extension of yours, the empire's eyes and ears. To that end, I am hoping you may be able to assist me in building up my own base." Recluse was certain she didn't need to spell out what she meant by that.

"If you're so willing I have only one request, our half siblings, of those that remain at least. I've also felt the sting of being abandoned by our father... and know better than most what it is they need now to help keep them on the path to honoring the empire." She wouldn't call her father names here, no, but the venom in her voice upon his mention should have given her cousin enough to know that while it hadn't been spoken aloud Recluse too disdained Hannibal. "Beyond that, it might be a good way to deal with the more... Problematic elements of the family? Not allowed to roam free but kept far enough away they are no threat to the new empress and her empire? Or perhaps high ranking members you wish to replace with your own chosen?" It was a bit of a ploy she had to admit, she hadn't failed to notice how some members lurked at the edges of the meeting and as for the latter suggestion? Well, that was more a hunch, she had no notions of what shakeups her cousin planned but she could imagine that Venom might wish to replace her own inner circle with members she herself chose... Recluse would want the same after all. What she was really offering was an out, a chance for Venom to do what she pleased with the dregs of her mother's empire while not having to deal with the potential fallout. Recluse had no illusions about that making her life any easier but she might as well try to play both sides of any disgruntled aunts and uncles hmm? If her cousin thought it was her idea and she played the dutiful niece who would restore pride to her wounded family, well then it was win-win.

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