Deathbelle returned to Ashen after more time passed than she liked. After being injured shortly after the trip started the pair were forced to bunk down for a few days until the Empress felt confident enough to make the return. She had been incredibly upset that she’d twisted her ankle in the beginning, but she’d been forced to rely on Hannibal. The days only seemed to bring the two of them closer together.

The Empress smiled as she thought on their time together, Hanni was doing his best to distract her from everything left behind in the Empire. Belle still felt like she lacked closure with her dear once love. She didn’t realize how much she looked forward to reuniting with her friend. They may not have been more than that anymore but Deathbelle still cared deeply for the dainty she wolf. She was confident that fact would never change.

She hadn’t seen the woman in too long now, and her heart yearned for her company. However, she was still sore on her ankle. After having to travel countless miles upon it the woman wished to just relax. Belle hadn’t ventured far from the den she shared with her pups, so to remedy her dilemma she sent her short eared owl Thistle in search of the Armada healer. Hopefully she would accept the summons.

Iolaire had been out on the plains,  working on her stone cottage when the little owl found her. One silver brow rose in question as the small bird sought her attention. She couldn't quite remember the owls name, but she did know that it belonged to Deathbelle. A summons,  it seemed. "Just a moment,  bird," the healer said.  There were things that needed putting away before she could just up and leave. 

Half an hour later, all of her things were put safely in their places. She pulled the worn leather pack over her neck and nodded to the owl before beginning her trek. The small woman kept up a distance eating lope.  Something that wolves were very good at.

Arriving at Deathbelle's location,  the small,  slightly dusty dame made her way into the rocky palace. Green and gold eyes fell upon the resting form of the speckled empress. And she felt... nothing. Good. 

Padding forward,  Iolaire dipped her head in greeting,  a small smile pulling at blackened lips. "You called?"

The Empress hardly expected an immediate response, Iolaire could have been anywhere. Deathbelle spent her time working on new tinctures as she tried to finish her recovery. There were a few old dried herbs in front of her, along with a tiny bit of honey and wine. She was starting to rebuild her stores, but she’d been put back a few paces with her injury. Though she imagined she wouldn't have to be as patient as the warlord, in a couple more days she’d be in perfect shape.

Belle couldn’t help the grin that took her features as Iolaire stepped over the threshold. Mismatched ears fell to her ears as her ivory tail wagged softly at her hip. So much happened since she’d last laid eyes on the silver marked she wolf. There was no regret to feel, and Deathbelle wasn’t plagued immediately with the take off of a million butterflies. No, their friendship could be as easy as anything they had before.

”Something like that.” She returned warmly before wondering if it would be appropriate to ask for her to sit beside her. ”You’ve been busy,” she said instead, not missing the dust on Io’s fur. ”I’m sorry to pull you away from your work.” She was loyal to Sirius, at his side doing his work should be her first priority. Even if Belle missed hoarding her attentions.

Belle seemed to be elbow deep in herb business and Iolaire was slightly amused.  There hadn't been much need for her to take such a strong role before because of Lucretia, but now that the Empress' sister was  shacked up with Bourbon and making pups, Io supposed that she needed to pick up the slack. It was good to keep herself busy anyway,  lest she fall into old ways of thinking during her down time. 

Deathbelle apologized for pulling her away from her duties and the dainty woman shook her head. "I needed a bit of a break. Building a cottage is monotonous. Repetitive." Place some mortar, lay a stone. Repeat. Repeat.  Repeat.  She built by day and worked with Sirius in the evenings.  The nights were hers alone.  The healer didn't sleep much,  as usual. 

"So what have you been up to?  How are things? " How were her pups?  How was Hannibal? How was she?  Iolaire had left it vague,  but she wanted to know all of those things.

Hannibal was not alone in keeping the Empress occupied from her thought of Iolaire, their memories were something that Belle would never forget. Io carved her place in Deathbelle’s heart and the Klein goddess was sure she would be there for the rest of her life. Io’s memories and her quick response to Belle’s call, soothed the Empress from any of her once destructive motives.

Io seemed relieved to be pulled away from her work as she explained her need for a break. Their final destination was within their grasp, Deathbelle just hoped she would be recovered enough when the time came. Belle also finally made her decision, bing this far apart was painful. ”Come, sit beside me?” She asked softly. Sirius offered her an affectionate relationship after much work to get to that point. She could keep her closeness to the Armada healer without there being any deeper meaning than friendly warmth.

”A cottage?” She asked curiously. The royal family had their palace, but they certainly didn’t build it brick by brick. Io asked her of her own goings on though. ”Nothing according to plan.” She started, a bit more exasperated than intended. ”Hannibal and I tried to scout the lands, in hopes the volcano’s wrath was finally subdued. Of course, barely after we’d begun I sprained my ankle.” She huffed softly at her luck. Also an explanation why Io had been summoned instead of the Empress seeking her out like she might have otherwise.

Deathbelle asked her to sit nearby and Io moved to do so without hesitation. She placed her pack aside before seating herself next to the larger woman. Belle seemed surprised that she was building a cottage. "Mhmm. A stone structure built into the side of a hill. Shelves for all of my things.  Garden right outside." It would be convenient.  Plus a cottage was much less damp than an underground den.

Belle continued,  speaking of a trip and a sprained ankle. Io's brow furrowed.  "Do you need me to look at it?" Sprains werent that big of a deal,  but if Belle wanted her to look, she would. Might be wise just to make sure nothing was broken. 

"And how are things with Hannibal?" Of course that would be her next line of inquiry. That was ultimately why she was here.  To check on her former lover and see if she had given her up for good cause.

The Empress couldn’t help her bright grin as the dainty healer accepted her invitation and moved in closer. To have her so close again was a comfort, knowing their relationship had changed minimally a comfort to the overworked royal. Deathbelle’s light brow spots raised as Io explained her new home, it seemed perfect for the healer and custom built to house everything she needed wherever she needed. The thought of a garden more than appealed to Deathbelle, and she wondered if she might have the time to create her own. Maybe a project for herself and her children? Pestilence seemed slightly interested in plants if not healing.

”You may if you’d like,” She offered up the offending limb. ”Luce has been a bit too busy growing her brood to see to such a trivial injury.” Deathbelle was a capable healer in her own right, and thought she’d cured herself relatively well.

Hannibal didn’t keep from their conversation very long, and Deathbelle was surprised by the sudden nerves that welled up in her stomach at the thought of the Daimyo. The corners of her dark lips pulled back, she loved Iolaire, but Hannibal’s courtship was quickly sweeping her away. ”He was so supportive when I twisted my ankle.” She explained, her voice unable to hide the fondness that was growing there. ”I think.. I think we could really have something.” She offered shyly, knowing that Iolaire wanted nothing but her happiness. Belle couldn’t help but wonder if Io would find the same. She deserved that and so much more.

She had been careful not to touch the woman before she took her paw. Digits flexed lightly, testing Belle's own toes before lightly bending the ankle. She was fine, but it eased the tiny dames mind to see for herself. Releasing Deathbelle, she put her paw back on the ground. "Just fine," was her conclusion.

Ears perked as Belle went on to talk about Hannibal. There was a hint of shy affection in her voice as she spoke of the man. Good. That was what Iolaire had wanted. By the time Belle had finished speaking, a soft smile was on the tri-colored fae's features. "I'm glad to hear." She then winked. "Told you so." Io was happy for the Empress. It seemed as though she was finding love, just as Iolaire had intended and hoped for. Great. The first vestiges of depression latched into the back of the woman's mind, however. She did her best to push it aside. This was a moment of joy, after all.