Broken Antler Fen baby you've got me sick, i don't know what i did

Pearl listened patiently to Aria's worries. In a way she immediately wanted to say yes to the last question, but she had to avoid being her usual blunt self with the young Alpha. Maybe just talking would get her thoughts across, just maybe. Why not. 

"I'm not sure that the rest of the pack aside from the Mayfairs and Dante actually recognize the claim they have on Donnelaith. You're still the Alpha, and they know that." she paused, thinking momentarily that it would be better if she come down here with a more stable pack with less drama. Pearl didn't really understand why Aria was so insistant on staying a leader if she feared it would later be threatened, and she wasn't happy in the place she was. It was part of the reason Pearl had left, which was the simple matter of not being happy there. But she despritely wanted Aria to truly be happy for once. Sighing, she continued. 

"If you have to explain why you are not chasing her out, it's just because this Rowan woman is going to be a single mother and cannot make it as easily as a loner. But I admit, you do seem to be a placeholder for now. You are, however, still the Alpha, and they are not. While they have the claim, I am sure that the Mayfairs are not the type to overthrow the leadership for the throne. You have the power to put a hold on that claim," she said, trying to meet eyes with the young leader. "You're only recognized as a stand-in if you act like it. You still have power. But don't let it go to your head, or I'll come up there myself and whack you with my tail."

As Pearl speaks, Aria nods along slowly, her tail wagging. "Yeah?" she says, thinking for a moment after the woman stops speaking. "Yeah, you're right," she continues, her tail wagging happily. Donnelaith would never be hers if she let the Mayfairs walk all over her. She needed to be strong and independent. She could take advice from others sure, she wasn't a monster, but if she let Rowan stay, she was only proving that she was simply a placeholder. That wouldn't happen. "Thank you, Pearl," she says, smiling happily. "It means a lot."

Pearl was overjoyed that her rambling advice was actually helping, and it seemed to cheer Aria up a lot. Hopefully none of it was taken the wrong way, because it would probably end in disaster. "Yeah, no problem, after all, what are friends for?" she said, smiling at her lovingly. "You're always welcome down here, if you need another reminder."

Pearl didn't pry or ask any more questions about how she felt. It was much appreciated too, as usually Aria couldn't even find a hint of emotion that would acurately describe how she felt. Good deal, then. The pale alphess then nodded again, her tail wagging. "Thanks Pearl, and you in Donnelaith," she adds, smiling. "But I think I should get back. I'm really glad I came down-- you're welcome to visit any time you want." 

With a bright smile and a wolfish hug, Aria turned and parted, headed back to Donnelaith to take care of some business.

ba bam

 

Pearl smiled after her and watched her go off into the distance, feeling both accomplished and a bit worried at the same time. She knew Aria too well to know that something was bound to go wrong, whether it be a misinterpretation of words or something else. 

But for now, she laid her worries to rest and went back into the heart of her territory to snuggle up to her mate and talk a little more before returning to her nap.