To watch the pair of them was a curious thing; Ruby was in awe of just how much power Hepzibah wielded with a single word. Although Ruby adored her mother, she had never been stopped so easily by a single word. It only made her listening and watching more intense, as if she’d be able to peer back into the past and see the kind of upbringing Sorath had received – the kind of upbringing that a Demon child received.

Her eyes shot up to meet Hepzibah’s own when she mentioned Lillith, and Ruby watched her smile with the same awe she had watched Sorath’s silence. Ruby had noticed the older wolf shifting and readjusting, but she hadn’t been able to focus on the why of it, too caught up in heritage and history. Still, she did at least notice the pain that blossomed beneath the woman’s smile. What was its source? Her brows furrowed ever so slightly, but she smiled, nonetheless. It was, after all, a pleasant thing to hear. Ruby’s heart had given a little flutter of giddy excitement at the comparison – Siren had always made the comparison herself, though hers had been with a much more...confusing expression and sentimentality. Seldom had it been made with a weary smile.

Of course, her grin was fast to fade at the mention of her not being Queen, and her expression turned to something more neutral, as if simply considering the facts. In truth, it was a sting to her. Should she have been Queen? After she had discussed with Avery, it had never occurred to her to think so. The Demons would return to Iromar, in blood at least, and by Ruby but...to be Queen? She cleared her throat, kept her own farce up.

"Avery, she is called, raised by Andras and born to a wolf named Chernobyl, who had fought and bled in the Angel War to become kin,” she said, trying to sound confident and assured. In truth, Chernobyl had never really been a Demon, simply one of their respected wolves – until she had defected, but perhaps it was better to not mention that. Besides, Avery resented her for it, and had been abandoned for it. That made Avery more Demon in Ruby’s eyes, at least. "The Angels are...scattered. Those that had been born to take the Jester King’s mantle have all left, or died. Their blood is plenty though, but not their...thoughts.” Her eyes narrowed, her lips taut for a moment in thought. It was hard to articulate, she had to admit. Whereas many wore the colours or names of Angels, few seemed to relish in the titles, or to seek Demons out, or to even name themselves as Assassins of the old stories.

"Diveen,” she began with more confidence, at least able to handle the realm of politics with more confidence, "is ruled by a wolf named Arturio. He was a newcomer to these lands, given rulership by their former King and Queen. She had been a daughter of the Jester King, but her fur was dark as night.” She hoped it would help them realize that...well, things had become quite complicated, with the passing of packs through peaceful negotiation and the dilution of blood and culture.

Sorath spoke up then, and Ruby watched her expression closely. She was surprised to see a hint of what she thought was anger there, only to be asked whether Iromar was safe. What did that mean? Ruby’s head tilted as she looked to the younger girl and answered, though part of her knew she likely should have given the answer to Hepzibah instead. "As safe as such a place can be – the alligators are still active, and the mud and moors are still deep and unrelenting.” She grinned, unaware that Sorath’s meaning had been elsewhere – a different kind of safe, a different kind of danger. Danger that Ruby had never known. Even when Blackthorne had ruled the moors, Ruby had never known danger even when she and her siblings roamed the marshland; never had she been hunted for her blood or looked at with disdain for the black and crimson of her fur.

"I know Avery would be honored and excited to host you there if you require a place to rest,” or settle, though she held back the words. "She is doing what she can to educate her own children about the Demons – they would be your age, or thereabout.” She motioned to Sorath, hopeful that it might entice them more to know it. The possibility that they intended to go to Iromar excited her, and it showed. She had been pensive before, but suddenly her body felt lighter with the prospect before her.