The Dark Empress had come to know the give-and-take that was leadership, and so when the pale Arah backed away, voicing and apology, she, too, spoke. "You are eager, Arah, and that is a trait that will be well-used here." There was something regal in the way she spoke, her crown held high and her orbs holding a look almost like that which a teacher gives the pupil that has spoken out of turn. She was not angry, it would seem; rather, she was trying to teach the younger mare the ways of diplomacy. It was particularly ironic that such a skill was new to her, as well, though she had quickly come to understand the ins and outs.

Faelene appeared then, and the Lady greeted her Thief with a nod and a brief smile. They had gotten along splendidly since their arrival in the Basin, and the shadow-mare had come to treasure the red-maned's quick intelligence and understanding. She offered a gentler word to Arah, then invited the pale mare away. She would go far, of that Psyche was sure, once she learned how to approach various situations. And Faelene would be the perfect teacher. Her gaze flickered between Arah, Clover, and Mesec. Both unicorns' manner seemed to have softened toward the colt, and for a moment she cursed herself. He was not welcome here, not by her, and had she her way she would remove him from their lands. But alas, such a thing was not meant to be at present.

Clover spoke next, offering her services as a thief. The shade looked her over, head tilted to one side. It would seem that she was attracted more and more in that line of work of late, but they were still short-handed in healers and traders. It was something that she ought to look into, but that would come later. For now, she smiled at the young fae, and though it was not an entirely true smile, it was not full of venom as it usually was. She liked the young ones. They were easier to corrupt. "My dear, of course we do. In fact, Faelene is just the mare you need to speak with about that. We call them Phantoms here, and she is in charge of those." Mesec was slipping away - And good riddance, she thought - and now she could focus her attention only on Clover.

"Talk talk talk."