Reseda sighed. So many excuses. Astaroth was pathetic. Arrogant, power-hungry, and weak. But someone like him...perhaps she could use him. After all, they were both quite power-hungry. And she had power being laid down right before her. There was much she could do.

She stepped forward and, if he would allow it, she would also start pulling some of the bone pieces from his fur. "Well...it was a good fight. I have no had a good fight in a while, a chance to test my skill. You were a worthy opponent."

She stepped back and regarded him for a moment before extending a claw. "If you wish to see the past, you may. As I said, you need only ask. I bear no ill will towards you - you taught me well in my youth. I only defend myself."

Astaroth forcibly taking memories with magic wasn't quite what Reseda had in mind but she allowed the wolf to touch her. He would see the most recent events - the murder of Blueberry and her plotting with the Collector. The dark robed figure offering her a prize for a death. The Sinful Seven gathering around as she presented the body of the moose and the dragon screaming above. The angry, annoyed face of the green weasel with a golden crown on their head.

"I remember. Not long after I stole that matriarch's children, still in their chrysalis. But the father overpowered me and took them back. I had my revenge for that little incident. I have not brought them down on us, no, I am merely giving the Seven protection from the monsters that live next door. They tore apart that foolish King once. I will not let that happen again."

As Astaroth turned, Reseda did not move. She stared after the wolf for just a moment before she spoke again. "Once you told me that you would take over these caves. That you would rule as their overlord."Her claws sunk into the bones as she stepped forward slowly. He had been the one to plant this ambition within her. He had been the one to start her cycle of greed. He was not going to walk away from this just like that.

"I am close, so close to king of something and you are turning your back on it. What happened to your ambition?"

Reseda did not react. She simply stared at the wolf. He was a fool; arrogant and falsely superior. He knew nothing. And she no longer had any reason to associate herself with such a beast. "I see. The cycles alone have turned your reason to dust. The berries will fall. I don't expect you to understand why. Farewell, Astaroth. Do not expect another visit from me."

She turned, the broken end of her tail swishing through the bones as she stalked away, heading towards the place where the Collector dwelled. She had other business to attend to and Astaroth would soon disappear from her mind.

*exit