In the wake of her father abandoning them, Ikigai came to realize just how much she appreciated her mother. Not that she didn't appreciate her before, for she very much did. The girl just focused on the thought. Venom had always been there for them despite having her paws full with running the empire. Any time that she needed her mother, she was there with love, hugs and answers. That was worth something to the young woman and so she wanted to show her gratitude. With the help of her Uncle Plague, Ikigai had bent a piece of flat metal which she had previously rounded with rocks and a lot of work. She left the back open so that it could be easily slipped on and off. After it had been bent to what she believed was the proper diameter, the girl wrapped it in hardened leather, using an adhesive so that it would stay in place. The next part would be the hardest bit. Using heat and a metal pattern that she'd acquired from a trader, Ikigai pressed the pattern into the thick leather. She'd done a few practice runs, and thankfully the final product came out well. The leather bangle was stamped with feathered vines by the time she was finished. The girl was rather pleased and proud of the jewelry that she had fashioned for her mother and she hoped the woman would like it too. Wrapping the gift in some soft fabric, Iki took the gift between her teeth and set into the palace looking for her mother. She found the woman in the hall and waited until she was finished with her business before approaching. The pallid princess gave a respectful bow of her head before stepping forward to place the package between Venom's paws. She would wait until her mother opened it to explain. | "Tanuki" | "Ikigai" | "Willa" |

Venom had a lot on her mind since Hattori left Ashen’s borders. He’d left her and he hadn’t looked back. Did he know how deeply he’d hurt her? Venom couldn’t be sure she wanted to know the depths the wound went. The Empress tried to ignore the missing piece of her and how much the separation rocked the foundation she built upon. Not only for the pack but herself, she lived more of her adult life with her husband by her side than not. She was having to restructure her life from the ground up. She had to look to the other wolves of the pack to fill the hole he’d left.

She wasn’t really okay, but Venom was a master of hiding the turmoil beneath. She couldn’t allow her own weaknesses to destabilize the pack and the Empire she ruled over. Life was always changing, and being adaptable was how you survived. It was one reason she had taken her mother’s throne. She hadn’t been able to really adapt.

As always these thoughts raced through her mind, especially when she slowed her body and did some work from the palace. She still felt a pang of pain knowing her husband wouldn’t be joining her here. The constant reminder he was gone wore on her like the sea constantly wears at the sand and stone of the beach. Venom was tired.

When Ikigai slipped into the main hall Venom easily dropped what she was doing and cleared her mind. She gestured for her daughter to approach and the girl stepped forward with a small package. Venom took her daughter’s lead, and as silently as she presented the parcel Venom began to unwrap the beautiful package. She revealed a beautiful piece of jewelry, supple and heavy like metal but covered in soft designed leather. Beautiful vines and flowers decorated the sides, it was obvious it had been crafted specifically for her.

Venom looked back up to her daughter, the emotions of everything swiftly leading to her emotions overwhelming the dams. Tears wetted her eyes as she questioned Ikigai with a soft tilt of her head.

Ikigai watched with mercuric pools as her mother began to unwrap the gift. The shifting expressions on her mother's face and the tears that filled her eyes brought tears to Iki's eyes as well. She knew that her mother had to be feeling horrible. Lynx tipped ears shifted backwards for a moment before she answered Venom's questioning gaze. "You work so hard for us and for the empire. I wanted to make you something to show just how much I appreciate you, mom." Never again would Ikigai speak Japanese and the word 'mom' felt odd on her tongue, but she would get used to it. The young fae's gaze pulled away from her mothers as she spoke again. "He wasn't worthy of us." Venom would know exactly who she was talking about. There was a black spot on Ikigai's heart and her father's name was etched into it. "He abandoned us and we'll be stronger without him. You'll see." She knew that it would take time, but together, they would learn to live without Hattori. Now that he was gone, Iki was realizing that he hadn't been much of a presence anyway. He was there when she approached him, but he rarely approached her. The pallid princess shifted her attention back to her mother's face. "So try not to be sad, okay? We'll get through it together." She would do everything in her power to make this transition easier on her mother. She would take a more diplomatic role if necessary. She would help where she could. Iki didn't want Venom to weather this change alone. Not when she didn't have to. [/color][/color] | "Tanuki" | "Ikigai" | "Willa" |

Her eyes filled and spilled over, allowing the rivulets of wet tears made trails down her cheeks. Sunset eyes lifted to Iki’s sweet features as she spoke, her voice was soft and gentle. The girl was far more perceptive and wise than Venom gave her credit for, no matter how wonderful she always believed her daughter to be. She wanted to show her appreciation in the form of the small gift she offered now. For all of Venom’s hard work to the Empire, the self sacrifice, and the added weight now.

Ikigai went on before Venom could offer proper gratitude for the beautiful present. Both women looked away as Hattori was mentioned, but not by name. Venom’s chest clenched painfully. As painful as the emotions she was feeling were, she felt like she shouldn’t have the feeling at all. That it should have been easier than this to move on and she was silently ashamed at how deeply she allowed the man to hurt her. She knew her daughter spoke the truth, they would recover. Venom would learn to live like this.

Iki returned her gaze to Venom’s eyes, a plea not to be sad because they were going to be better without. Venom wanted to believe her, but the wound wouldn’t be healed so easily. ”I’ll try,” she promised softly as she aimed to reach out with white gloved paws to bring her daughter in for an embrace. ”Thank you, so much Ikigai. For my present especially, but also your words and encouragement.” Venom knew what it was like to lose your father, and could sympathize deeply with Iki and her siblings. What she hated was sympathizing so closely with her own mother. She leaned her head against Iki's delicate features and held her daughter close, welcomming the warmth and love she brought. Something she needed a little a extra of.

Venom promised that she would try to not be sad and Iki smiled in response, giving a little nod of accompaniment. When her mother reached out for her, Iki wasted no time in sliding into her mother's embrace. With Venom's arms wrapped around her, the young princess felt safe. She felt as though everything might actually be okay in the end. The girl's eyes closed and she pressed her cheek against her mother's chest. "I love you, mom," she whispered. The gift had been a success. Her mom had truly loved it. She could tell by the look on her face. More than that, Iki had wanted to give words of encouragement. They were all going through a rough time and they needed to stick together. Pulling back a bit, Iki searched her mother's face. "If you need me to take on more responsibility, just tell me what to do." She wanted to lessen the burden on her mother as much as possible. Iki wasn't sure what her father did for the empire before, but whatever tasks he did now fell upon Venom alone. The girl wanted to help pick up the slack. | "Tanuki" | "Ikigai" | "Willa" |

Iki leaned into her embrace as she reached out for her and Venom’s breast filled with emotion. She hurt, Hattori leaving her was a surprise and tearing their lives apart didn’t come without pain. But how did her children really feel? Their father left them without looking back out of nowhere. What would that do to you? Venom missed her father, experiencing his death was hard enough but this..

She promised Iki she was going to try not to be sad so she tried to banish the thought. All that mattered right now was her daughter in her arms and their shared sorrow. She sighed softly, barely holding back the emotions gathering in her throat. "I love you too, Iki.” She whispered back, nuzzling into the girl’s soft fur. "Thank you,” She said again as Ikigai offered to take on more anticipation.

Reluctantly Venom pulled back, there was a smile there, one that settled on her features only for Ikigai’s love. "I’ll be sure to put you to work.” She chuckled softly and ran her paw down Iki’s neck affectionately. "You’re an amazing young woman, sometimes I wonder if I don’t deserve you.” The world certainly didn’t.


"Venom"