Honestly Aithne was quite startled to realize the resemblance between the two females. Tick Tock did not move in a way that was overtly alpha material, it was all inherent, a born part of her in much the same way that Aithne moves without grace and with strength in each step. Raven was more timid than her mother but she was assertive in a quiet sort of manner, the way that was more thoughtful and easing. It was why she had succeeded so well in her position as Consul for such a thing required tact and a strength in words. Each time she sought and failed to find Raven was like a sting to herself, a barb in her mind against her own ineffectual attempts. How was she to find one wolf in a sea of so many wolves without even a hint to go by? Aithne was a dog without her bone and thus she would gnash her teeth together in frustration, but seeing Tick Tock makes her hopes soar - Raven had said she would seek out her mother.

She cannot help the way her emerald eyes sharpen upon Tick Tock and the way her breath seems to catch in such an outward display of hope. It seemed as if fate had led her in the perfect direction and her head tilted only slightly in acknowledgement that Tick Tock wanted to keep Raven's parentage a secret. While Aithne respected that wish it also made her wary of the other female, wondering what secrets she held, but everyone had their demons.

"Even the strongest fall," she murmurs in coarse reply, reminded of Aithne's violent outburst at her original disgust of his graveyard. The very same one that she had left in respect for him - with him in it, of course. While they had very different views on many things Aithne had chosen him as her King and thus he held her loyalty until the moment he had placed the crown on her head, and then her loyalty shifted to encompass the whole of Iromar (whom she would have protected regardless).

An alliance, Tick Tock mentions, and Aithne lets those words flow but her own lips twitch in a frown and ears flick back at the admission that Raven is in fact NOT in Asteraia. A low growl bubbles from her mouth but it is not directed at Tick Tock, it is born from frustration even as she sits down abruptly. "She said she was going to come see you and then make her way to Taviora. She has been gone for many seasons now and I have searched for her without word. The rain has washed all scents away and the snow has now covered up any hope. I have heard no whispers of a body being found. It is frustrating but I wonder why she would stay gone so long if she did not wish it of her own accord." She feels a sudden gripping of her heart, a sort of betrayal at the idea that Raven has fled her and did not want to come back.

Then her eyes, which had fallen down in her speech, snap back up. "As for an alliance, I am not certain I can give you an ally that will help defend you in battle, but I would offer us a peaceful truce. I know what the male here, Tobias, has done, and I do not know your involvement in it, but Taviora is a partner of mine and I must remain friendly with them. But, all wolves can change, and since you have brought him to this kingdom of fields I have not heard anymore stories and besides, I'll confess, I have never had any love for the female you took this place from. If you will accept such a truce then I can assure that no wolf of Iromar will strike against you or yours unless the situation warrants, such as a physical threat against one of my own from one of yours, and you may bring your young to the swamps to train, if you so wish." A brow arches, waiting for her answer.

Six - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne