Andrei’s words barely break through to her as she stands, staring blankly at the battle plan sprawled out across the table. Only one word really does, one that sends a seething hot rage through the scorned Queen. The Volturi have sent someone. Volturi. The reason for her anguish. Though their crown, their fortress, their reign still remained, Selene had lost so much she was beginning to wonder; at what cost? The death of each wolf she had sired to her was etched into her bones, felt as if it were her own. The most recent, however, had sent her into a near catatonic state. Losing Alexis had made her feel a kind of weakness she hadn’t felt in a long time; it had made her feel human. She hated it. Cursing the battle plan that had caused them this most recent defeat, a primal scream unleashes from her chest as she sends the table flying. Yet within a mere moment, she has composed herself, prepared to face their guests.
Crossing the threshold of the gates to their fortress, lycan guards closely follow Selene as she approaches the Volturi princess. It was a clever tactic. There was an undeniable warmth about the youngest sister of the Volturi’s leader that was obviously not genetic. Though all her warmth and beauty still does not do much to quell Selene’s bitterness toward her coven. “If you are here to convince us to surrender, my dear, then your brother has wasted both of our time.” She sighs, arms folding in front of her leather clad chest. Teal orbs subtly inspecting the hooded guards at her side. A mischievous smirk tugs at her lips as she wonders how far she can push her luck with them. Stepping forward again, the Queen leans in closer to the younger vampire, smirk growing wider. “Or are you my consolation prize?”
despite the hundreds of miles they had traveled, didyme and her guards arrive looking immaculate. the white cloth of her grecian dress is pristine out of respect; she had not come anticipating bloodshed, but civilized conversation. the young girl certainly looks out of place with four brutish guards at her flank, and even more so when selene and her lycans meet her beyond the walls of her coven's home. although didyme hides it well, seeing selene in person was an astounding thing; for a moment, she is reminded of athenodora and she is awestruck. they were warriors, and despite the animosity between their warring covens, didyme could admire the queen for it. before anything else, she was strong.
"i take it introductions are not needed, then." the girl’s tone is soft as ever, but selene's comment is disregarded deliberately; didyme had come with instructions to convince them to surrender, but she had known the outcome the moment it had been suggested that she pay a visit. perhaps there could be a more peaceful alternative for them all, but didyme won't broach the subject here, and certainly not so soon. the rage in selene's eyes, barely hidden by this false air of civility, tells didyme that it wouldn't do any good to hint at peace now. she wasn't sure there ever would be a time, now, after what has already been done, but she would try. it would never hurt to try.
it takes very little for didyme's guards to become uneasy; they respond to selene’s closeness by hovering nearer to didyme, poised to strike if ever they’re needed. she's understanding only because she knows the immensity of aro's wrath should they fail in keeping her unharmed, but she's quick enough to hold up a hand to settle them as soon as selene steps forward. "manipulation doesn't suit you, selene, not here," she murmurs, letting her hand fall back to her side, "i will not be the cause of violence here. i will not be responsible for bloodshed tonight." with a cautious glance behind selene, she steps forward, standing apart from her guards; a show of faith, perhaps, or a show of valor. either way, she isn't sure that selene would bother to read into it, but she is sure that she would never allow herself to be a war prize.
"a consolation prize suggests that someone has won. — i think we have all lost. don't you?" the sincerity in her voice is clear; didyme had lost people, too, just as selene had. "all the lives that we have lost..."
