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"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

Avery didn't know how to read the younger female yet. She knew she might be seen as old, perhaps even too old to take on the role of Alpha to some, but she was nowhere near ready to retire as an elder and take a back seat. No, she still wanted the front row on all the action. She was in still in fighting spirits and as long as she had that, she wouldn't take less than what she could handle. She remembered well how the Demons viewed wolves of a certain age. Once weakness was perceived, it was considered merciful to put them out of their misery. That's what Aithne did for Andras. He was losing his mind after losing his imprint, Lillith. She showed him mercy so he could rejoin his love. The girl gave her name as Ruby and Avery nodded in acknowledgement. Short and to the point. She couldn't argue with that. As they spoke of blood and lineage, she could see Ruby was proud of her heritage, as she should be. She was true Demon blood. She had the markings and apparently, the confidence, of Andras' line. It made Avery proud to see his descendents thriving as he once did on these very lands. When she told Ruby that Andras had helped raise her, she saw the girl's head tilt in curiosity.

Andras wasn't exactly known for his soft heart but he was a good trainer. He made her strong, even from a young age. He asked her to drag the elk skull that day through the bone yard by his throne. She wasn't at full strength at that time but she did it anyway, just to prove to him that she was worth it. She would never forget that day. Aithne was there too. She was there a lot in Avery's younger years. Ruby told her that she didn't get to meet Andras but that he lived on in her brother. She mentioned Lillith as well and Avery smiled. She didn't know Lillith as well personally but she could see the love in Andras' eyes every time he spoke of his imprint. Ruby said they apparently spoke like their grandparents. "Their blood runs in your veins so it's only right that you carry their traits with you, as well. They would proud to see how strong their influence still is." She had no doubt Andras would take pride in it. Ruby admitted that they might be more connected than she thought. She said she expected different from Avery since she wasn't raised by her parents. She was quick to call them garbage, but Avery wasn't offended. She would never move to defend a wolf that would leave her the way Chernobyl did.

She nodded. "Andras taught me to be strong. He helped me move past the weakness of my lineage." Ruby paused for a moment as they were walking and Avery slowed her pace as necessary, her ear flicking back to stay focused on the younger wolf as she turned her head to glance at her from the corner of her eye. Curiosity twinkled there. What was she thinking so hard about? Then Ruby cleared her throat and caught back up. Avery pricked her ears toward her, turning her head to fully face the girl so she could have her full attention. Ruby said that she couldn't make Avery a Demon but that she could make her children Demons. Avery's eyes widened at the idea. She lifted a brow, curious more than skeptical. "How would you go about doing that?" She would be cautious when it came to her children. While she would be honored to claim Demons as her own, she wouldn't endanger her children or do something crazy just for the chance. She was all about risk, but mostly when it came to herself. She wasn't so willing to risk others. Ruby seemed almost excited at the prospect. Avery was just wondering what all this kind of thing would entail.

She was sure Ruby was thinking of the possibilities of the future. Avery's children would be heirs to the throne of Iromar, back where Andras rightfully stood. Of course, that included Undyne and Azariah in her eyes but she knew they were happy in Diveen. She would let them have that. But if she were to have more children, and a part of her hoped she would, they would be born and raised in Iromar. This would be their home, just as it was hers. She watched Ruby, eager yet careful. She wouldn't rush headlong into something unless she could see the logic behind it.