Venom wrapped the gift within an ancient silk kerchief. She had just finished putting the piece together with the help of her giant squirrel poison. His tiny paws were much more articulate than her cat-like paws. She never would have finished it otherwise. A small smile played on her lips. No matter what happened there was one wolf she would always be able to count on. Someone who had been at her side since birth, and wouldn’t ever leave her for the greener side.

Getting to her feet the Empress brought her gift and headed towards the main hall. Between Anko and Ike’s dog Tanto a small dinner was prepared for her and Plague when she arrived. Poison was sent to fetch her brother and Daimyo. Venom made herself comfortable, ignoring the missing presence. She wasn’t here to think about herself.


"Venom"

dove island archipelago / late evening / warm

Plague was laying in the chambers he shared with Void, Rava, and their children, playfully swatting away Sitri and Stolas as his boys pounced at his paws, making a game of working with them on their fighting stances and the form of their attacks. He was determined to make little fighters out of the lot of them, but he wanted them to enjoy it and didn't want to make it feel like a chore. His playful training was interrupted when Poision came in to fetch him, his emerald eyes landing curiously on Venom's companion. He promised the boys they'd resume when he returned and instead had them "spar" with each other instead as he stood to follow Poision out of the room.

When he arrived to the main hall he found his sister waiting for him there and he smiled as he came to join her with an affectionate tap of his nose on the top of her head. He knew she had been quietly struggling with everything that had been going on, but he was proud of how she had been able to continue on in any shape or form. He knew that if Void or Rava suddenly disappeared from his life for any reason he would be absolutely destroyed and he couldn't imagine dealing with that with as many eyes on him as Venom had. "What's all this?" he asked curiously as he settled in beside her, eyeing the things she had gathered with interest.

Plague Abraxas-Destruction

Plague didn’t hesitate to approach her when he arrived in the great hall at the giant squirrel’s behest. She’d noticed he’d seemed taller these days, like he had finally hit his full height a little later in life. It was becoming of him. She lowered her crown, closed her eyes, and smiled as he pressed his nose to the top of her head affectionately. He had fully come into his own since he became a father. He was never so focused or so confident as he was now. Qualities she was so grateful and proud of. Most importantly of all, he was understanding and he was loyal. He’d been there for her in some capacity their whole lives.

She wanted to know she appreciated him and everything he did for her. Especially right now as she struggled through the challenges facing her. The challenges she shoved violently from her mind so she could focus solely on her brother like he deserved. Venom smiled and gestured towards the second placement before her. "My appreciation.” She told him simply enough as she made herself comfortable. "A nice dinner… and a gift.” Venom lifted the tiny package towards Plague’s attention. Inside he would find a gilded bracelet with four little beads. Each one glittering to represent his four children. Ruby and onyx beads for all but Seere’s marble stained pendant. Venom gestured for him to open the gift to see inside.


"Venom"

He looked at her with a bit of surprise when she said the dinner he saw in front of them was part of her appreciation for him and then pointed out a gift she had for him as well. He never felt like he needed anything in return for the things he did for her. She was his last remaining sister, his biggest supporter, the one wolf that had made him feel like he could truly be himself, and had helped him give himself permission to live the life he wanted. Everything he did would forever be a tribute to her because of that. Even still, the display of her appreciation to him touched his heart and made a thankful smile pull across his lips. "You didn't have to do all of this," he insisted, leaning his shoulder into hers. He was still getting used to all these changes his body had suddenly decided to go through, but it was weird to lean into her and no longer be as close in size to her as he used to be.

Plague turned his attention to the gift that she had put in front of him, his talons carefully lifting away the corners of the beautiful silk wrapping to reveal the even more beautiful bracelet hidden inside. He looked at it in awe as he carefully picked it up to examine it more closely, quickly picking up on what the four beads that adorned it represented. Ruby and onyx for his children that took strongly after Rava and one special marble bead for his little Seere. "Venom..." he breathed, completely speechless as a huge smile pulled across his lips and tears started to gather in his emerald gaze. He carefully slipped the bracelet onto his leg, grinning when he saw how the colors of the bracelet itself and the breads that sat on it played off of his pale fur. She knew that his children were his biggest joy and now he had a little token of them to always carry with him.

"Thank you," he told her with his voice thick with emotion as he shifted to wrap his forelegs around her neck, hugging her close as he thought about how grateful he was to have her in his life. "This is so thoughtful and beautiful... I love it so much." As he settled back into his spot beside her again he looked down at the bracelet again, his tail wagging gently and a grin crossing his lips as he thought about how the pups might react when he showed it to them. They loved their aunt nearly as much as he did so he was sure they would think it was very cool since it came from her. "I bet Seere will love that she got a special marble bead," he commented with a chuckle, gently spinning the bead with one of his crystal talons.

Plague Abraxas-Destruction

Plague was obviously surprised, but as much as it was all for him this helped her too. She could focus her attention and mind on something productive and nothing to do with her personal struggles. Plague told her she didn’t really have to do any of this, and she knew she didn’t. As much as he had been there for her the inverse was true as well. She knew how much he struggled with his feelings for Void in the beginning, but she had only wanted his happiness and accepted and supported him however he needed her to. She shook her head and quickly brought his attention to her gift to him.

With careful movements her brother revealed the bracelet she put together for him. Deep emotion flashed over his features as he realized what he was looking at. Plague was obviously surprised and touched at her gift, rendered speechless for a moment and only able to say her name. Slowly he slipped it upon his wrist where the gold and the beads rested against his pale fur. The grin on his features was enough to banish her darker thoughts. She grinned softly as his forest gaze looked back up to find hers and he uttered a stunned thank you.

He lifted his arms and wrapped them around her neck and Venom leaned into the affection. He loved it, and that was what she wanted to hear. Her own white gloved paws wrapped around him in return and she squeezed him lightly. For a moment she believed everything as really going to be okay. "You’re welcome, and I love you.” She added when she finally let go and let him admire his gift. Just as she thought, he was certain Seere would appreciate her bead especially. "I think you’re right. But they’re all special.” Not that he didn’t already know that.


"Venom"