Northstar Vale I'm Lost in the Sound Roaming Downtown

@Cordelia ?

How much time had it been now? Truly, the new Empress had lost track of the days, though at least now things had begun to blend into a new normal. Rather that normal was considered good or bad did not concern her, at least it felt like something. Their numbers had dwindled. Hotaru might have been avoiding others, but she was not blind to the changes that came. It scared her, the potential that maybe everyone would leave just like her parents. Lilitu never even said goodbye though...maybe that was her own fault for being hard to track down.

She wanted to do more than just survive. She missed living, even though a life like that felt impossible now. The fact of the matter was she had stepped into this role, prematurely yes, but she needed to fix things. She had to keep it together, if not for herself, then for those who were still left while she still had them. Hotaru had no idea where she would go if she was the last one left, and frankly, she didn't want to find out. But how did one grow an empire? Where did she start?

That avatar is gorgeous *Drool*

---

Reneian Empire was getting quieter and quieter. Despite recent events that lead to the loss of both of its rulers things seemed stable. But more accurately on a slow and steady decline. Cordelia has stayed out of the immediate spotlight for her entire time within the Empire. Besides stumbling into a few wayward pups she knew no one well in the pack. Those that had cared for her and those she wished to become close to had all be thrown out, died, or vanished. 
Another reason for her silence was her past and the secret she continued to hold about her true identity. She was beginning to wonder if it was still a secret, or if it were simply something she didn't tell anyone. Did she still need to feel afraid of the consequences of uttering her real name?
Lightly treading on a tight rope she wasn't sure which path to take. To stay on the sidelines and see what was to come and risk the possibility of the pack deteriorating around her, as it had when she was once in Shadewood. Or would she put herself forth and into the heart of the pack so she would at least be warned of its potential collapse, warry of what others might learn about her.
Apart from herself she also worried about those while the pack. A large portion of whom were still children with few or no parents to look out for them. For them, she would need to cross over the line as there were few other options for who else could.
With all of that sheepishly on her mind she sought out the Empire's young Empress.

We drool over lauren art

The young girl sat near The Great Pillars. It was a place her mother had called other wolves from before, though Hotaru didn't like the idea of calling the attention of everyone in the pack to her. She was taking steps, painful as they were to do what she could. To do what her mother would have wanted her to do. She had to work on talking with one wolf before she could worry about the pack as a whole. As a main meeting place, perhaps someone would wander by so she wouldn't have to seek anyone out. That sounded ok...

Luck be it, there was a white shape in the distance, wandering, searching. The Empress was not yet aware that she was actually the target of her packmate's gaze, but Corra had now become hers. Hesitantly moving from her place, Hotaru would take a few steps forward before switching into a light trot to greet the other, Corra— um...do you— do you have a moment?

Cordelia's search brought her to a side of the great pillar and it reminded her of the few meetings she has attended under Reiko's reign. The woman was sweet and had a lot on her plate, enough to cause her to collapse earlier this year. It felt like so long ago, her children weren't even old enough to sit at her side and now they were meant to be the rulers.

Her train of thought was caught off guard as Hotaru came around the pillar, approached her, and requested a moment. After the initial shock she gave the young empress a pleasant smile and responded "Of course your highness. How can I be of service?"

The Empress slowed stopping a comfortable distance away as the other offered a smile and allowed her to continue. For a moment she paused, caught off guard by the formal addressing. Of course, she had always been royalty, but it felt weird now. Though she hadn't said it, Hotaru was aware it was in regard to her new title as Empress as opposed to Princess, and knowing that difference she couldn't help but feel her face flush in acknowledgment. I—

Just...just how was she supposed to ask this without giving away how helpless she felt? Wouldn't admitting her lack of direction make things worse? A leader who was useless and naive spelled doom for the pack, especially when they were already crumbling. I noticed a lot less wolves around. Maybe they already knew that the Empire was doomed. A lump formed in the girl's throat that she quickly forced herself to swallow, I want to make things better...but um...where do you suggest I start?

That was good right? It wasn't outright admitting she had no clue where to start. Maybe it would be seen as her looking for the interests of the pack even though she hadn't really thought that far ahead. She had spit the words out in a rather childlike manner but well...she was a child.