What do YOU want?

Maybe Deathbelle realized that Recluse was a valid pillar to lean on when she reached her limit and descended into chaos. In the once Empress’s mind the woman was still the young she wolf grasping her power for the first time. Not because she hadn’t grown and developed, but because Belle was still her aunt. She couldn’t drop her baggage at Recluse’s feet, she didn’t deserve something like that. Recluse was a life saver in many ways, even if she didn’t have her paws directly within Deathbelle’s mental struggle. She was a connection to the past, a vivid reminder of a time she lived before Boreas, before the Empire, a time that was starkly similar to the life she lived now but so much different.

Recluse kept the Klein spirit alive, and at least part of the once Empress was sustained by that fact alone. Much of her life was dimmed so the bright places looked more important than they were before. She should have shown her niece more appreciation, but it was guilt and regret that could be added to an infinite list of mistakes. When the woman her thoughts lingered on called out for her, Deathbelle wouldn’t hesitate to heed her call.

The future was not a pleasant subject, but she had been avoiding talking about it for long enough. She could only float along like this for so long before a decision needed to be made either way. ”Recluse,” Belle greeted softly with a dip of her head as she approached. Recluse never asked her for much, she did her duties and trained when asked. But her light had obviously been extinguished. ”Good evening.”