He took a seat in his newly claimed lands, listening to the wind howl through the night, and the long shadows grow longer. Night came upon him before he even realised it, as he sat there in deep contemplation. He, a slave, had risen to one of the greatest heights a wolf could reach. He had become a leader, found himself a mate whom he loved, raised another's children as his apprentices. He had much to lose, when in the past it had only been Deathbelle. He was selfish, short tempered and a brute, how had he come to find so much to love? He looked upwards, at just the right moment, as the wind chased away the clouds and the ash, and he would see a glimmer of moonlight wink down at him, bathing him in blue light until it seemed his ivory fangs and pale markings held an ethereal light. He tilted his head, basking in the moonlight, and wondered at what the future would bring. "Speech"

The Empire had yet to be moved yet, and Deathbelle hadn’t made the pack aware quite yet. Soon enough. Her delicate paws carried her over the new lands of the Empire, she still remained here scouting with her guardian the new lands they would take. A slight smile lingered on her dark lips as she prowled the night, her favored time of day.

Her lilac gaze hadn’t caught sight of the moon in a season and when she caught the glow of it on Sirius she was stopped. Speachless as she lost her breath. She’d never considered her Vessel beautiful but in that moment he was all that she could see or want to see. A tear filled her eye as she moved to disappear from his brief presence. She allowed herself to become too close again. There was no middle ground she was realising, not when she had no one else to distract her.

Maybe that was her surse, to love her night pelted warrior forever in secret. She couldn’t let him know that she was going back on her word, that her feelings were not settled. That she was anything but okay. The darkness hopefully hid any bit of her from the fanged warrior.

Iolaire had followed Sirius to this land, her new home, it would seem. She felt comfortable already. On the morrow, she would set about finding a patch of suitable earth for the garden that she planned to cultivate. He was aiding another build their empire and she would be building her own as well. Perhaps she would take on an apprentice in time. The future seemed full of possibilities. Once they'd arrived in this new land, Iolaire had parted ways from the giant brute and began to explore. It was important to learn your home. There was only so much learning one could do, however. Eventually, the small fae had pulled up a patch of earth and, using her satchel as a pillow, rolled onto her back to stare at the sky above. She had been told that a volcano had erupted which explained the murky sky. And so she was surprised when the sky opened and the moon smiled down upon her. It was a very welcome surprise. The diminutive woman's heart had been exceptionally light today. The brilliant light of the moon shining down upon her was the icing on the proverbial cake and, before she even knew it, the dame found herself softly laughing. "Speech"

It was the laugh that pulled him from his revere. He lowered his head, and unfolded himself from the ground with a sigh. As he did so, his eyes fell not upon Io, his little Vipress, but Deathbelle. He blinked in surprise at catching her there, had she been watching him? She had said nothing, and stood sheathed in darkness. It would have kept her hidden, too, if not for the lighter spots of her coat.

He had expected the vipress, and felt himself caught off guard. He had taken Io here so that she might stake out space for her garden, and draw a perimeter that he might carefully fence off for her. This land was unhospitalable until the volcano was finished, but he planned on making his renovations in the meanwhile. Once she was done, he would take her back to the desert where the Ashen Empire temporarily seemed refuge.

But none if that explained why Deathbelle was there, unfathomable eyes watching him in the darkness. "Mistress?" He said, voice quiet, before getting to his feet with a confused shake. "Will you come and meet my Vipress?"

Had the woman’s laugh not filled the air Belle might have lingered in the cold shadows for the rest of the night. She was at home in the darkness, as many of her line were. Albinism did not enjoy the sun. Her shadowy place did not conceal her as well as she hoped, had the moon never appeared she might have continued on stealthily. Sirius was sharp though, and very little escaped his notice. ”Mistress?” Deathbelle stepped back, for a moment pretending he hadn’t seen her. That she was only an apparition in his mind.

He stood, his confusion barely evident in his voice. She had been found out, and there was no hiding her form. Her eyes wet with tears the Empress kept her features obscured by the shadows as she reluctantly pushed her body forward. ”Sirius,” she offered in greeting, hiding the emotion that lingered just below the surface. She knew he likely meant whoever’s laugh had filled the air but to further distract herself Deathbelle continued. ”You’ve decided to carry around a snake as well?” She tried to inject some humor into her words but they fell oddly flat.

Soft voices slowly brought the woman's laughter to an end though her amusement did not cease. It would have been rude to listen in, so the small fae rolled to her feet. Nose dipped and she shrugged into her satchel. After settling it in place, she picked her way across the moonlit grass taking note of her surroundings as she did so. She would learn each land she came upon. Green and gold eyes fell upon two forms. One of which was thankfully Sirius. Moving towards them on dainty, silent paws, Io cracked a grin. "Hey, Big Guy." She then directed her attention to the woman with him to whom she offered a polite nod and a standard, "Hello." She didn't know who the woman was, after all. Introductions would be left up to Sirius. As she waited, Iolaire again mused over her good fortune. That subtle grin of amusement still tugged at the corners of her maw. Perhaps the humor could partially be blamed on exhaustion, but really, it may have been genuine happiness. "Speech"

Now that he was closer, he would see that there were tears in her eyes, and his puzzled expression only deepened.had she come out here for reflection, and privacy? Perhaps she had been as startled to see him, as he was her. He tried to offer her a slight smile, but his brow was dipped and it looked more like a question. He shook himself, and turned to Io as he heard her light steps and her familiar voice question him. “Iolaire, this is Deathbelle Ravage Klein, Empress of the Ashen Empire.” he said, introducing the woman before them, and topping it off with a bow. He was somewhat weary of the expression he had caught in the Empress’s eyes, but it was too late now to turn around. Instead he plowed on with the subtlety of a bulldozer. “Empress, this is Io, my VIpress and newest member of your Armada.” "Speech"

Sirius seemed to question her, he always saw more than he was supposed to. She didn’t explore it and wouldn’t have been able to had she wanted anyway. Their brief meeting was joined by what Belle could only assume was the ‘Viper’ in question. ”Greetings.” The Empress offered in return before Seer could begin his introduction. She was slightly offended that he hadn’t addressed herself first in the situation. As though she were the one interrupting them. Deathbelle knew that he hadn’t meant it that way, and his obvious respect for her in his low bow soothed the agitation.

He gave three names to the woman, the first she assumed was her full name, the second a nick and the third what her rank in the Armada might be. From the name alone she couldn’t help but think they might dabble in similar hobbies. ”Rise, dearest Warlord.” Deathbelle offered as she made an attempt for the words to be sweeter than her voice. ”I’m sure you didn’t offer her a place beside you without reason.” She turned her lilac gaze back towards the delicate woman. ”What skills do you boast, Iolaire?” These words were said with genuine curiosity as her looked the she wolf over more thoroughly.

There was a strange look on the large woman's face, but Iolaire would neither question it or react to it. Sometimes women wished to keep things secret and she wouldn't be the one to call her out on it. There was no reason to and it wouldn't win her any friends. She was determined to enjoy her time with the Ashen Empire. Determined to eke out a place within it. A place of her own. A permanent place. Iolaire was slightly amused at the low bow that Sirius gave. She didn't know his backstory yet and so she found it interesting that one so strong would show such reverence to another. She obviously came from a different world altogether. She understood a little better when full introductions were made. This was the one that he fought for, it seemed. Deathbelle, he named her. The woman offered a greeting and Iolaire accepted it with a nod and one of her own. Unlike Sirius, she offered no bow. She didn't know the woman yet. She doubted that Sirius would follow someone unworthy, but just the same... each new wolf that she met would have to prove themselves to her in some way. The Empress was no different. That wasn't to say that she wasn't kind and friendly, however. "Good to meet you. I am Iolaire Akeldama. The newest member or conquest, depending upon who you ask." With a soft chuckle, she gave a slight tug of her skull in Sirius' direction. When asked about her skills, Io continued with her confident, mood lightening manner. "Other than stellar conversation and companionship? In my former land, I was a healer by day and a crafter of poisons by night. In this land, however, I'll be forced to learn all of your herbs and greenery over again." Again she gave a light shrug. "Since I've a natural knack for plants, it shouldn't take too long." Already she had discovered several strains of beneficial herbs on these plains. "Speech"

He straightened at Deathbelle’s behest, and would turn her curiosity to his companion. Of course she would be interested in Io’s skills, but Sirius would not be able to put into words the possessiveness he felt over the tiny wolf. Any who knew him would know how difficult it was to worm their way into his heart if they didn’t already start from a high vantage - Deathbelles kids for example, were always going to have a shot at his heart. Zee had felt his wrath many times before he had come to love her. But Io? Io was his, and he could not tell her why. As Io took the stage, the Warlord took a seat, and watched the interaction. He did feel a slight, familiar twinge as the woman offered no bow to the mighty Empress - and there had been a time where he would have shoved the girls face to the dirt for the insolence, but he was a Warlord now and not a lacky of the Empire. Besides, he had told Io he would not ask her to stand on ceremony. Still, she would have to tread carefully, his sense of duty to Deathbelle was overpowering. "Speech"

Deathbelle couldn’t know the possessiveness Sirius held over the woman there was no outward sign, but he had called her his. ”I’m sure Venom will enjoy her title.” She offered Seer as he made himself comfortable between the two women. Belle made every attempt to put herself out of the state of mind she had started in at the beginning of their meeting. She was far from prepared emotionally to suddenly be introduced to one under Seer’s command.

Io was, at the very least, polite to the empress. She offered nothing more than a nod of respect. Deathbelle’s subjects offered her reverence because they wanted to not because the Empress forced them to. Many of the Klein name saw ruling by fear a noble act, but Deathbelle wished to be adored, not feared. ”Conquest?” She asked with a quirked brow towards Sirius. Zee was the woman he sought to pursue, as Deathbelle was painfully reminded of more often than she liked. How did her beloved handmaiden turned queen feel about that terminology?

”You won't be left in the dark for long.” She assured her softly, regaining her composure as the conversation went on. ”I’ve always enjoyed making a good poison, but with Sirius around healing was always a priority.” The warmth in her gaze as she shifted to his handsome features likely gave away too much of her inner thoughts. Her heart beat quickly as memories of time long gone by flashed within her mind's eye before she turned back to Io politely. ”I’m glad he will be well looked after.”

It was now she realised fully how much distance would really be put between herself and her childhood friend. She couldn’t decide if distance or closeness to Sirius hurt more. She couldn’t help her amethyst eyes returning to his form, her stare holding that hint of longing that hadn’t quite left her features. Deathbelle tried to give him an affectionate smile, but she felt the distance between them keenly. She knew his sense of duty to her would overpower all, and she never wanted to ask more than he really wished to give.

Deathbelle seemed confused by the term 'conquest' so Iolaire clarified. "Conquest in the sense that he absolutely wouldn't have taken no for an answer." She shrugged lightly. "Not that I would have said no anyway. There's a magnetism to him, isn't there? Something in him that instills loyalty." She still found it strange that she'd agreed so readily to join a wolf that she'd just met. Io wasn't terribly surprised when the larger woman confessed to having a proclivity with poisons as well. She nodded in acceptance, knowing that she would learn the local flora quickly. Since the Empress had knowledge in Iolaire's desired area of expertise, she offered up an idea. "Perhaps you and I could share knowledge sometime." She continued. "And I will look after him. I'll look after both of them as well as I'm able." Whatever ideas Deathbelle may have had about Iolaire's intentions, the dainty fae had nothing but platonic feelings towards the toothy giant. It was her intent to see Sirius and his mate secure and safe in their new home. "Speech"

He winced as Deathbelle settled on the word ‘conquest’ and wondered what thoughts moved through her mind. She had given up Sirius when she gave him permission to seek Zee’s paw in marriage, but did she think him fickle now, that he would play with the gift Deathbelle had given him? “A platonic conquest” he assured her drly, and Io was quick to expand on that. He wasn’t sure her expansion really clarified things, however. “As a pack recruit.” Io didn’t know his history with Deathbelle, he knew she didn’t seek to hurt the heartbroken Empress. The subject turning to healing, and here Sirius only knew the basic, enough to plug a hole and keep himself alive until he could seek the assistance of a healer. Deathbelle seemed to agree that a healer was necessary around him. “Learning and pain go hand in hand” the warrior said with a shrug. He shifted a little, somewhat uncomfortable by Io’s public declaration of caring for him - wasn’t that his job? She was his to protect. They all were. The wolves of his pack would be his warriors, his family, and he would promise them all his protection. Of course, Io was special, for more than just her place in his pack. And Deathbelle… well… with the Empress, there was more history and commitment then he could sum in a single thought. "Speech"

Both of them explained, Sirius rather dryly, the use of the term given. Seer tried to clarify further, because Io was not helping Belle’s view of things. Had the misunderstanding not been so serious she would have given Sirius a smirk. Instead she mumbled, ”I see.” Before the conversation shifted again. She shifted her gaze to Io as she spoke about sharing, ”I always enjoy a nice plant lecture.” She offered, interested in their future learning. ”If there’s anything I know for certain, it’s that I can always learn more.” She offered almost with a forced chuckle as she kept her voice light.

Lilac gaze shifted to Sirius and he looked a bit uncomfortable at her sentiment. ”You take your own advice too seriously, Sirius.” She offered him the flash of a smile, quietly wondering where their relationship would go with the distance placed between them. Her heart ached to be held by him, but it was torn apart in the same thought. Deathbelle attempted to give Io her full attention, thankful for the distraction. ”The volcano’s wrath wont be kind to us, with the lowered light.. the plants won't return to life very easily.” She added in, looking up to the smoke and ash that floated around the moon.

Iolaire was amused by Sirius's added explanation. Could Deathbelle really think...? Oh, that was rich. She wouldn't make the situation any more uncomfortable, however, and so she'd continue on with the conversation. Deathbelle confessed that one could always learn and Iolaire nodded in acceptance. "Indeed. Knowledge is never ending. I'm sure we could learn a great deal from one another." A light shrug was given. "And if we get tired of learning, I'm sure we're both lovely company." She was for certain. The larger fae might be as well if she loosened up a bit. It was obvious that something was bothering her, but she wouldn't pry. They were too newly introduced and it might have been embarrassing to bring it up in front of Sirius. Since the discomfort was palpable, Iolaire decide to excuse herself. "Well, it's been lovely meeting you. I hope we see one another again very soon." And she did, too. The woman was quite pretty and Iolaire enjoyed looking at pretty things. With a nod to Sirius she said, "See you later, Big Guy." A similar nod was given to the woman accompanied with, "Deathbelle." And with that, Iolaire moved off. She would give the pair some space and find a new place to sleep. If sleep would have her, that is. "Speech"

A flicker of panic touched his heart as Io expressed a desire to give them space and move on. He couldn’t get out of his head the image of sorrow on Deathbelle’s face as she watched him in the still quiet of the night. She knew he was thinking of their past together, and what she had given up. He knew that a part of Deathbelle had always thought he would be hers, even as he had denied it, and told her he would never be worthy. Now here he was, a Warlord and an Alpha, and not Deathbelles.

He had risen himself from the deep, and he had done it for another. His heart twisted every time he considered it. He loved Deathbelle, and he had always wanted for her happiness, comfort, and safety. He was a failure. Yet, he loved Zee, and he had chosen the blue woman. He was the type of man that would choose a mate for life, and wanted nothing more than to give Zee the life she deserved. Still, it came with regrets, for hurting Deathbelle was unforgivable.

He took a shaky breath, shooting Io a panicked expression where she, and only she, could see it. Don’t leave me here!’ is said, before turning innocently back to Deathbelle. “I do wish the volcano would end its tantrum” he said, trying to pick up the broken pieces of conversation.

Deathbelle nodded softly, the smaller she wolf was sweet and soft spoken. A soothing presence to be certain, and Deathbelle offered her a grateful smile. With her difficult to control emotions she was ashamed of the first impression that she had given. Io didn’t seem to be particularly perturbed but almost eager for their next encounter. For now she was going to find her way back to solitude. ”The same to you, Vipress.” Deathbelle offered back as the she wolf shifted and bid them goodnight.

The Empress glanced towards Sirius as he looked back to her, his features hard to read as he spoke about the volcano and its wrath. She sighed inwardly and turned her features back to the shadows of the forest. ”We all do.” Her words hesitant as she looked westward, she needed to make the return to Ashen. ”I should turn in as well,” She offered an excuse, finding herself wanting to avoid being left alone in Seer’s presence as well. She forced her lilac gaze back towards him ”Have a good night, Sirius.” With a dip of her head Deathbelle turned back towards the path.

Iolaire began to make her way out of the meeting when she caught the pleading look in the giant dire's gaze. Io's eyes widened slightly and she flicked an exaggerated look towards Deathbelle that only he would see. A silent indication that 'She's upset. What do you want me to do about it?' Iolaire continued padding away from the other two wolves. Only when the voice of Deathbelle giving her own goodbye met her ears did she turn back around. Coming back towards Sirius, she wrinkled her nose slightly. "Sorry about that. She seemed rather upset. I thought it might be good for you two to talk, but I guess neither of you are ready for that." Iolaire had no idea of the chasm of history that lay between the two wolves. She did know that something was wrong between them. The first step in righting a situation is to speak about it and so she had tried to let them do so. If he wasn't ready to clear the air with Deathbelle, maybe he'd like to talk it out with her instead. It might help to get his mind in the right place. "Wanna tell me about it, Big Guy?" "Speech"

He couldn’t quite describe what he was feeling when Deathbelle turned to leave. “Deathbelle..” he said, as though he might protest her departure, a pause, a hesitation. The reminder of her fathomless eyes upon him. “Good night.” he said softly to his retreating Empress. Sirius let out a frustrated sigh after she was gone. Once they had been the closest of friends, almost ken, if a slave and a princess could ever be so.

He looked to io who appeared beside her, apologising, and explaining why she had turned to go. It would be a while before he got Deathbelle’s expression from his memory. His nostrils flared with a weary sigh. He took a seat, looking to the young Vipress. “How to explain?” he said, drumming an extended claw absently against the earth. “I was given to her as a child, to be her slave. She didn’t want a slave, she wanted a friend.” he said, pausing, had he ever told Io he had been a slave? It didn’t matter. “Later, when we were older, she wanted something more. I was never ready to give her that, I saw her as one might see a Goddess, something to worship, and love, and keep a mental distance from.” another pause. “Then I found Zee… we had a rough start. I was not kind to her, and yet she loved me anyway. It was watching others push her around, and pushing her around for others… I snapped, and I reached for more. I reached for more for Zee, when I never did for Deathbelle. I love them both, but Deathbelle will always be my oldest friend, and Zee my wife. It hurts her, more than she will ever say.”

When he sat, she also sat, feeling like a story was brewing. She was right. Sirius launched into a quick synopsis of his life in Deathbelle's service. A slave? Iolaire's brows pulled together. She was not a fan of slavery. In the future she would most likely tell him so, but now wasn't the time.

Eventually Sirius finished and the small woman sighed. "A difficult situation. There are deep feelings between you and there likely always will be. You'll both have to embrace friendship and be happy for one another." She gave a light shrug and a sympathetic sadNess entered her gaze. She stared after the retreating woman. "It will be harder for her than you. You have Zee. She's alone."

Io searched the big man's face. "Perhaps I'll talk to her. See if I can lighten her heart. Maybe she just needs some companionship and a sympathetic ear." It was worth a shot.