Raisa had always felt a certain level of comfort drifting from the earthly woman, a sense of certainty. She always had some sort of answer ready for the young Monarch, some sagely advice or motherly wisdom, and it'd never gone unappreciated. There were few if any others Raisa knew she could trust with the troubled idea rolling around her mind, though mostly because she thought they would default to a comforting 'do what you think is best' or some other vague tidbit that went without interpretation. Raisa didn't know what was best, if she was doing the right thing or just getting cold paws, but it was either this, disband altogether and continue on as purposeless loners, or give their dwindling numbers to somewhere who needed them.

The woman sidled up to the den and gave a half-hearted smile as Barb stuck her head from the pretty den. She'd really spruced it up here after recovering, and she'd seemed especially busy the last weeks. Was she glad of a new apprentice and extra paws, or was Raisa just getting in her way? The blue woman didn't linger on the thought.

Barbosa, she greeted fondly, tail offering a few sad little wags, I... I need your counsel.

She breathed deep through her nose.

I've been calling myself the queen, but the crown just doesn't fit.

The breath left her jaws in a soft whoosh, and Raisa's eyes flicked down to the stepping stones.