we need to chat

Delphi's paw inched her way closer until Ember was tenderly grasping the smaller fae's, offering her all the support she could. Even if it was little more than a comforting presence. Em listened attentively while Delphi takes a moment to settle herself before letting the floodgates open, admitting the struggles she faced as Curator. The dark femme's ears flicked back and folded against her head, empathy clear as day in her oceanic eyes. Oh, she knew of Delphi's struggles... It had been the very reason why she'd come to Hemlock in the first place, why she continued to stay to offer her aid where she could. Em said nothing while Delphi spoke, letting her newest friend vent all of the frustration, the aggravation, the feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty. It was what friends did for each other after all.

The revelation that Delphi had banished Víðarr and Bjorn from Hemlock came as a bit of a surprise, but not an unexpected one. Víðarr had been in a state since his wife's death, and Bjorn... well, that boy had never been right from Ember's short assessment. Em's expression twisted with a flinch of pain when Delphi mentioned Erik's disappearance. Yeah, that one still stung... She knew it hadn't been said with malice, but it still hurt knowing the boy she'd given so much of herself to had just run off. Delphi's venting came to an end when she confessed she didn't know if she could keep doing this and lamenting her lack of options. It was a tough situation, a very "caught between a rock and a hard place" sort of raw deal. And for the first time in her life, Ember didn't have an immediate response.

The Carpathian fae dwelled on the matter for a moment, blue eyes swaying idly about as she racked her brain for ideas or suggestions, but came up dry. She had no more experience with leadership than Delphi did. If only her father were here... "I don't know, Del," she spoke with a sigh after a moment, her shoulders slumping, feeling like she was failing her friend. "My dad took over the Hallows when he was a yearling, and he's always talked about how much struggle and sacrifice it was, but... I don't know how to rebound Hemlock from its squalor." Em's lips pursed as she mulled over the situation, her paw gingerly squeezing Delphi's. "I suppose the real question is, do you want to keep doing it? Fighting and pushing to keep Hemlock together?"

Em lifted her gaze to meet Delphi's again, giving the smaller femme a resolute look. "If you're committed to keeping the pack together, then so am I. Somehow, we'll find a way. But if this isn't what you want—if leading Hemlock doesn't bring you joy or inspiration—then... maybe we need to reevaluate what's best for you and for everyone." It was a grim thought to consider dissolving the pack, but if Hemlock had just become a weight dragging all of its members down into oblivion, then cutting it loose seemed like the only logical explanation if revitalizing it was not,.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"