She's got the devil's eyes

She often imagines what a boon it would be to have the ability to not only see, but read minds. Of course, those subjected to her scrutiny would likely appreciate it far less than she. However, in instances such as this one, she can only imagine it would be a great help.

It is not often she attempts to withhold judgement. In this case though, she would try. Whether or not she succeeded is an entirely different matter, but for the sake of her grandson, she would certainly try. Still, she cannot seem to assuage all her irritability over the situation. After all, this territory is under her protection. And that she must now have a discussion with her grandson over this particular matter is… exasperating.

Would it really have been so difficult for him to come speak with her regarding his plans?

With a soft, barely audible sigh, she settles into the wood, ignoring the subtle curls mist and muted drone of insects. She reaches almost leisurely for Wolfbane, alerting him to her presence. Perhaps he wouldn’t appreciate her summons. But then, he had to know she would come when he displaced Aten from his seat here. Whether Aten had informed Wolfbane of the recent agreement between Nerine and the Taiga or not is moot, as far as she is concerned. She is a woman of her word, regardless. While she does not believe Wolfbane and Lepis’ motives are destructive, she does know their loyalties lie much more strongly to the South.

And grandson or not, she still has a kingdom to protect. She could only hope Wyrm’s greed had not consumed Wolfbane as he had consumed that shriveled heart.

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

For all the knowledge she holds at her fingertips (or hooftips, as it were), she is regrettably not omnipotent. So while she had been aware of Wolfbane and Lepis’ arrival in her territory, she hadn’t imagined he might try to depose it’s ruler without, at the very least, informing her of his motives. Her disinclination to confront him immediately had been an implication of her trust. The unfortunate thing about her trust though, is that she has a terrible habit of allowing one just enough of it to form their own noose.

While Woflbane had done nothing to overtly prove her trust misplaced, she is left to wonder. And if there is anything Heartfire truly dislikes, it is being left to wonder.

Still, she cares deeply for her grandson, and that has always been her greatest weakness, her caring. Too recently she had been reminded of that fact, the image of Wyrm’s claws shredding Wolfbane’s flesh an eternal reminder that her caring led her to do foolish things. She would like to believe she learns from her mistakes. However, as she watches Wolfbane and young Eyas approach, she knows she is just as fallible as the rest of them.

Cool blue gaze dropping to the small filly, she considers her for a long moment as she peers back with youthful stoicity. She is aware Eyas had inherited her gift, passed silently through generations until it had been re-born in her young descendent. She is naturally curious, of course, her interest in the girl quite unfeigned. Only Rapture had inherited her unique ability prior to the most recent of Wolfbane’s offspring, but regrettably her blue daughter had little interest in utilizing the gift beyond bland parlor tricks.

It takes her a moment to notice the faint trickle of happiness, a subtle influence, increasing her favorability. It stirs memories of an old foe, one who had used fear as a weapon rather than joy. Her features stilling, she brushes aside the subtle emotion, relieved to know she could. That it would not be forced upon her as the fear had when she had been at her most defenseless. She had sworn she would never be so disadvantaged again. Still, as she eyes the child, she cannot find it in her to place blame. So she ignores it.

“Of course not,” she agrees mildly, her bright, perceptive gaze shifting to take in her grandson. “I am pleased to finally have a chance to meet my great grand-daughter.”

She had never been a demonstrative woman, so the brief softness in her features as she glances back at Eyas is much more than she might have given anyone else. Unfortunately it does not last long, the blandness of her expression returning as she gives her attention back to the blue and yellow pegasus. “However, as pleased as I may be, my visit is not a social one.”

Her keen gaze bores into him, one brow tilting faintly upwards. A silent invitation to offer that long overdue explanation.

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

Wolfbane does not disappoint, taking the dangling tendril she had left for him, launching into an explanation of what had brought him to Taiga. She is familiar enough with all that had happened that following the thread of his thoughts is simple enough. Truthfully though, it is more than a bare explanation she is seeking.

Though she gives Wolfbane her silent attention, she keeps a nearly invisible eye on the young girl standing at her father’s side. Though she tries quite mightily to maintain an evenly pleasant expression, she is young yet, and does not quite succeed. Of anyone else, she could perhaps understand the most about what the girl experienced in her visions. Though Heartfire had never been overly bothered, she knows just how shocking it can be to learn exactly what lies out there. Few realize it, but it is exactly this that had molded Heartfire into the woman she is today. Exactly this that had plaited the mask she so often wears and steeled the walls she keeps so firmly about her emotions.

Should the girl choose to follow in her great grandmother’s footsteps, she would no doubt soon come to learn those same things. The world is neither kind nor good at the very heart of it. Perhaps Heartfire seems cold and callous to some, but she is only the product of what she has learned.

When Wolfbane professes it is not in his blood to bow, Heartfire’s head tilts slightly, but she makes no move to say anything. As he continues, she considers him much more closely, her blue eyes sharp, until Eyas draws her attention by interrupting her father. The youth does not have the same restraint nor discretion as Wolfbane, the heat of her emotions bubbling to the surface as she fires rapid accusations at him.

The cool expression on Heartfire’s features changes slightly as she considers Eyas more openly now, a more discerning note hovering about her. She knows pain and she knows rage. She knows how unwillingly it coils inside as it waits for release. All of that, she can see in young Eyas as she reaches her limit.

Silence falls heavily as she spits her last accusatory question at her father, grief still evident behind the anger in her small features. Perhaps it is Wolfbane’s place to comfort his child, but Heartfire has a feeling it isn’t comfort she seeks.

“The dead aren’t gone,” Heartfire says after what seems an eternal moment of silence. Her eyes are fixed sharply on the girl’s face as she says something that would no doubt draw a hiccup through her tirade. “You just need to find the right pair of eyes.”

She’s not certain the girl would appreciate her advice, but unfortunately she had never been much of one for the softer emotions. Wolfbane could no doubt do more for Eyas’ grief than Heartfire could ever hope to. Still, with Eyas’ accusations ringing in her ears, the blue and white mare turns her gaze back to her grandson. Perhaps Wolfbane had not meant to cause upset or ruffle feathers, but he had. She had always seen the long game so clearly, but it seems Wolfbane still has his sights focused on the short.

“It is possible,” she continues, her words reflecting a much cooler version of Eyas’, “to demonstrate respect without bowing beneath the thumb of another.” She eyes him hard for a moment then. “Do you think, all those years I lingered in Nerine and did not rule her, that I was bending and scraping before each succession of rulers? I think you forget Wolfbane, that true power does not come from a crown.”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

She becomes aware of the dusky gold woman’s arrival long before she reaches them, but she does not pull her attention from the pair before her. No doubt Lepis would join them soon enough, completing the small party.

Wolfbane murmurs a response to her mild rebuke, demonstrating a distinct understanding of the point she had been trying to make. Of course, he knows her well enough by now to understand the patient cunning that fuels her. And while an understanding is not action, it is, at the very least, a step in the right direction.

She is not so foolish as to believe their intentions are so benign as he might wish her to, however. She knows the decision to come to Taiga had not originally been his. And his suggestion that she, at long last, meet Lepis, is met with silent agreement. She is certain it’s well past time for her to meet, in person, the mother of his children. Wolfbane may hold her in familial affection, but Lepis does not.

She idly wonders then, if Wolfbane were truly aware of the ripples his actions had begun. She knows they have plans, but he must also know that the way in which they had bullied their way onto the Taigan throne would draw unwanted attention. He must know too, that her eye would be fixed much more closely onto the situation that it might otherwise have been.

Wolfbane, for all that she keeps track of her family, had been granted a reprieve of scrutiny couched in affection and trust. Now though, that reprieve had ended. And he couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact.

Or could he?

“If you wish answers,” she finally replies softly after a moment of heavy consideration, “you have only to ask.” It’s true she is rarely free with the information she has, but perhaps he simply needs a reminder that he resides in a rather unique position when it comes to her. She is not heartless, after all.

She stares at him for a long moment, but then Eyas speaks, and her gaze drops to the girl as she peers uncertainly up at her. By this time Lepis had reached them as well, and her words rise to frame Eyas’ almost (though not quite) apologetically. Heartfire, as she lifts her inscrutable gaze to the other woman, cannot imagine her being truly apologetic about anything.

But then, she doesn’t even need to imagine. The woman might be unaware of it, but she had fallen under Heartfire’s scrutiny long ago.

She listens almost idly as Lepis introduces herself, the diplomatic turns of phrase falling off her tongue with practiced ease. Heartfire has never been one to stand on protocol though, and feels no great need to return any meaningless pleasantries. Instead she tilts her head slightly, lips easing into a brief, rare uptilt as she returns her gaze to Eyas. “Of course.” She pauses a moment before adding, “Come to Nerine, when you’re ready.”

As she returns her gaze to Lepis, her features once more smooth into the cooly pleasant expression so often worn by the Northern queen. Those that know her well would recognize it. Indeed, those that know her well are often the only ones who have ever seen any other expression cross her features.

“You are correct, my visit today is not social,” she agrees mildly, the unsettling blue of her gaze fixed on the navy and gold mare. She stands in stark contrast, plainly colored with an unexceptional appearance. Of course, such appearances could be boldly deceptive. “I was just discussing with Wolfbane your… ascension.” The heavy pause quite plainly speaks to her knowledge of the events that had occurred prior to and after the ascension in question. And demonstrates just as clearly that she is not entirely approving.

While she had elected to give Wolfbane the benefit of the doubt, Lepis is much more a stranger to her. And she is curious what the woman might choose now to infer.

and they'll cut you like a weapon