The Sentinels but i know that i'm damned

Her blunt claws pulled through the dirt as she excavated a place to slumber; though Deirdre had invited her to share in her den, the dark witch wanted a hovel of her own. She loved her sister with her entire soul and being, but there were some things she wished to keep private from even her— she would not tarnish Deirdre's golden light, but would protect her from the darkness.

Emaleth had chosen a place near the territory's heart for her den, instead of its edges like she might have chosen mere months ago— it had become clear to the youth the she was Donnelaith, much like Deirdre was, and she would no longer shy from it. Its main cavern used the shelter of a sequoia's tall root base, and she would fill the small indent with fallen grasses and flowers and leaves to sleep upon. Already complete was a smaller cavern off to the side, its entrance cleverly hidden behind a strong root. She would need it to store the herbs and talismans her magicks might require.

When she felt satisfied, the dark witch backpedalled to admire her handiwork. Feeling like something was missing, Emaleth drew near the entrance and began to drag her teeth in rough lines across the sequoia's bark to create a rudimentary pattern.

It had felt like Emaleth was a distance creature from the all-glorified Deirdre, and Aria had taken a liking to the pale witch months ago. However, after Emaleth's recent return, the snowy alphess felt she held something in common with the darker witch. She was not sure what, but it was something-- she knew it. Though she admired Deirdre's ability to only see the good in others-- even if it became somewhat irritating-- it was not something she shared with the girl. Emaleth was the darker alternative to her sister, and Aria longed to know more about her before she parted with Constantine... even if their interaction was brief.

She found her in the heart of the territory, which was somewhat shocking. The Mayfair was digging a den-- and when Aria came upon her Emaleth was raking her fangs across the bark of a tree. She watches silently for a moment-- unsure if the girl had sensed her-- before moving more into view with a warm smile on her face. "I'm glad you've settled back in," she says, viewing the tree curiously. "Do you need any help?"

She licked her teeth to clean the splinters of bark and wood from them, though the earthy taste of it was an odd comfort. Her den marked— well enough, for now— she pulled away to see the white woman approaching. Aria seemed warmer now than she had on Emaleth's initial return, and the dark youth returned the smile, though she did not trust it. And yet the steward of Donnelaith must know the statement that she had made by placing her den here, at the forest's heart— that this was her place. That she was the heart, just as much as Deirdre was.

"No, thank you," she responded politely, for her work had been done. There was magick in making one's den, besides, and the dark witch had no desire to see the power of her sleeping-place diluted. Better for Deirdre to help, if she needed any.

"What is on your heart?" Emaleth asked, after a long moment of silence. She loathed pointless conversation, and so opted to be direct, though it was truly up to Aria how far she wished to take the question. Would she chose the surface, or deeper waters?

Casmir, she almost said. It felt like one of those questions that the first thing that popped into your mind was what you said-- and Casmir was her first thought. But it wasn't one of those questions, and Emaleth did not seem so light-hearted. So Aria stood for a moment and stared, at first unable to figured out exactly what she'd been asked. Then it sort of hit her-- at least her interpretation of the question. Maybe Emaleth really had no intention of brining this up,  but to Aria Emaleth too probably wondered just as everyone else what she wanted with the pack, why she was still here and why Deirdre was not leading.

"I'm handing Donnelaith to Deirdre as soon as she's of age," she says, tail swishing. "I'm not here to run the pack into the ground or change everyone's morals... just keeping it running until Deirdre can take over." Simple enough. It was true, too, and though the thought of leaving Donnelaith pained her, she knew she had a bit of time to look forward to with Constantine as they find their own home.

Apologies for letting this get so dusty!! Are you interested in spreeing sometime soon to finish it up, or shall I fade?

Emaleth could not mask the surprise in her features at Aria's words, for it was not the answer that she had expect— but after a moment, her countenance smoothed and she nodded. She had not desired idle chatter, and she appreciated the ivory woman's directness. Still, she coolly noted the lack of her own name in the Alpha's words. She and Deirdre were sisters, equal heiresses to Lasher's estate, though the same could be argued of Constantine and Eilidh.

"I understand," was her simple response, because she did. Even as she felt slighted, the idea of leading terrified the young Mayfair, for she and Deirdre had much to learn. But she trusted in Deirdre, and better for Donnelaith to be in the white witch's embrace over who she viewed as her father's mistress. "Will you stay?" she queried sharply, for the woman's exit would show to Emaleth a lack of faith and dishonor to her father's memory.