Venom’s ivory gloved paws carried her easily on the path around her patrol. So much was happening within Ashen’s borders recently. There were two marriages to soon celebrate, Plague was going to slowly bid his farewells, and hopefully there would soon be new blood within. That was another conversation she wanted to have with her brother before he fully retired. Venom couldn’t see what the pack would look like a year from now, but by all measures, Ashen was thriving and growing. Her little ones were not so little anymore, growing bigger every day.

They would soon have more responsibility in the pack, and she expected all four of them would soon exceed even her expectations of them. Only time would tell the future, and Venom knew it was oh so bright for her youths. A small grin plays on her lips as the thoughts play through her mind and she scales the redwater rocks. Deft paws bring her up the paths so she is above the incredible formations and she is given a bird’s eye view of Ashen’s territories. Bathed in moonlight the Empress lowers herself to her haunches. Sunset eyes scanning the horizon with contentment.

"Venom"

Phew. It sure was tiring to climb all the way up here. The night was dark and the stars shone bright in the sky, Maki knew she ought to be curled up like a croissant amongst her siblings, but Grammy was out here and for one reason or another the little pup found the empress fascinating. She was so pretty and regal and Maki figured it would be really really cool to be just like her. But how? Maki didn't even know where to start, if she even could. So of course she trailed after her scent, her poor legs getting really wobbly by the time she found the Empress laying there, looking over her territories with the light of the moon catching her eyes. With a tired little yawn, she flopped down beside her Grammy and nuzzled into her side. She was raised with so much love, it was sometimes hard for her to hold it all in her heart, she just had so much to give!

"Grammy." She greeted, her voice soft and sweet, contentment filling in the gaps like sticky honey.

The Empress took in a deep breath of the clear night air as it moved past her in a gentle breeze. The night sky was glittering with millions of stars and quiet ruled over the land. She had a perfect vantage point of her kingdom here, and that of Valhalla if she were to squint just a little harder. They were clearly no threat, and the well maintained border was like a fence. Good fences made good neighbors.

As her sunset gaze scanned the horizon her senses were alight and she wasn’t surprised at the sound of tiny paws closing in on her. Having Kuroki and his family here had been such a great experience already, she knew she would be sad when the time came for them to leave. So, she would take advantage of the time she was given. She knew the stargazer band wasn’t quite as nocturnal as the Ashen pack, so she didn’t really expect to see her young granddaughter out at this time, but she wouldn’t dream of chastising her for it. Especially as she waddled up to curl in against her.

Venom smiled softly as she gazed down at the tiny child, not hesitating to lower herself the rest of the way to the ground so she could curl around her. "Good evening sweet Maki.” She returned, lowering her head to place a kiss between her little horn nubs.

"Venom"

Maki was thrilled to be accepted, her little heart ached in her chest but in a nice and loved way. Like a belly a little too full of milk. Her little tail thumped happily at the kiss pressed between her nubbins and she smiled, soft and starry eyed up at her Grammy. The girl's mind was full of so many questions, things she wanted to know and wished to learn, but the way she looked up at Venom made it seem as though she truly believed the Empress had it all.

"Why you up so late?" She asked softly, curiosity getting the better of her sleepiness as she got comfortable amongst her Grammy's floof. She had never really seen the stars before, not like this at least, there were even smudged in the distance places she could feasibly go if her paws set into motion. But up there, amongst the gleaming and sparkling dots the wonder and mystery called out to Maki, sent her little mind whirring.

Maki was so sweet and innocent Venom could hardly stand it. She was so proud of the little girl, and so full of love for her and her siblings. She was still surprised that her rebel Kuroki could create such lovely little puppies. She pulled back from her affectionate little kiss as the girl beamed up at her, stars reflecting brilliantly in her dark eye as she battled back the sleepiness. If the girl fell asleep here Venom wouldn’t have offered a single complaint.

The girl spoke up again softly, curious about why Venom was up and about during the night. As she had assumed, the Stargazer band was not as nocturnal as their name would allude. Venom settled in beside the little pup as her wonder was confined into little questions. "Well, it’s not late for me or my pack. Because of our family’s albinistic traits, like the cute pink of your nose, and mine, its better to avoid the sun. Our skin is very sensitive and can burn easily so we’ve become what is called nocturnal. Or active at night instead of the day.” Venom explained, happy to give the girl a bit of family history and a bit more knowledge about herself. "You don’t have to though, there are salves and lotions to keep your skin from burning too.”

"Venom"

Maki liked listening to the softness of her voiced, liked it even more how she could feel the silken words press against her own ribs. It sorta made sense though, sometimes if Maki was out for too long in the day her nose and ears would feel a little sore. After that Mummy Cel would usually scoop her into the shade, but now it all was a little clearer to the little bean. Bit by bit the world was making more sense, like the wisdom of her family shooed away all she didn't yet know.

But what was her favourite? Well she liked the day time because there were butterflies and bugs to chase, everything was bright and colourful and just so vibrant. But nighttime...was real pretty too, as she set her mismatched gaze skyward, her mouth popped open a little in awe. Just as impressed as she was the first time she'd set her sights on the starry sky above. And knowing her, this reaction would never fade even when she was old and grey, never to be as wise as her Grammy.

"Grammy you're so smart. Not like Daddy, but like Mummy Cel." And Maki was most impressed.

Venom wouldn’t be upset if Maki fell asleep there at her side, she would happily lay there for a while and carry the girl back to her parents. For now the snuggly girl was just curious and seemed to eagerly absorb the information. The Empress gave her options, she could decide for herself if she preferred to live during the day or night. Though Venom suspected while she was young she would emulate her parents it was grandma’s job to inform her of the options.

Sunset eyes watched as the little girl lifted her own dual toned gaze up to the brilliant stars above, an incredible sight to behold no matter what age you were. The milky was sparkled and shone above them, millions of stars shining just for the two of them. She smiled softly, even as Maki uttered her own little compliments. Much smarter than her daddy, more like her own mother.

Venom chuckled at the words, "And like you will be when you grow up.” She assured her, trying not to encourage the thoughts of Oki lacking Klein intelligence.

"Venom"

Maki let out a soft little ooooh. Despite her wild imagination she found it difficult to imagine she'd ever be anything like an Empress one day, all regal and beautiful and smart in all the ways that mattered. But she was a little girl so full of love and admiration for her family that Venom could tell her the moon was green and she would wholly believe it, would proclaim for all to hear it was indeed a green as grass.

"Did you always wanna be empress? Like...did you know forever that you'd rule?" Were wolves born knowing what they were meant to do? Who they were going to be? There were a lot of ideas that flitted through Maki's mind but nothing seemed...well, she didn't just know. She nuzzled a little closer, allowing her tongue to flick out as she tried to give a puppy kiss to her Grammy's underside of her muzzle, it was kinda hard to reach though!

Maki was a sweet girl, but even if she wasn’t Venom wouldn’t be able to help loving her and her little siblings. How could she not? Seeing her grandchildren here thriving and growing was one of her greatest accomplishments. Not that she had ever asked for them, but knowing Oki had given them was incredible. She absolutely adored them, and nothing could change her mind. The innocence of the girl was almost too much for Venom’s heart to bear and whenever she was around the pups it felt like it might explode.

The girl’s curiosity was not quite satiated yet, though Venom doubted a pup like this could ever find an end to her wonders. "I did know,” she started simply. "I was first born, so I was given the title of heir automatically with the knowledge that my siblings could get stronger and fight me for the title, but none of them ever did. I was the strongest and most determined, so I took the place of Empress when my own mother could not continue her duties.” Venom continued softly.

Venom lowered her head a little so Maki could share her kisses, and the Empress hugged the little girl just a little tighter as they shared the innocent moment of love.

"Venom"

"Oooh." Maki wondered why none of them had fought, was it cause they knew Venom would do it best? She frowned a little, her soft features scrunching as she tried to play detective and unravel this mystery before her. She couldn't imagine anyone else being an empress though, maybe it's because this was all she knew, she had an active imagination but it was hard to picture Ashen being any other way. "If someone wanted the throne would you have fought them? Beat them up like WAPOW WATOOSH?" Maki certainly thought so but was looking for a confirmation. Oh but that brought another question to her mind, Maki like most kids was good at this, asking so many questions her adults wanted to hold her muzzle shut sometimes.

"If the throne goes to the oldest does that mean Daddy will be Emperor one day?" Maki couldn't really see that happening, really. Daddy was good but he was very silly.

Her sweet little granddaughter seemed to understand as Venom explained her history. Of course it was in any child’s nature to question much deeper than just accepting her first round of answers. Venom wouldn’t begrudge her though, the Empress quite enjoyed talking to her and explaining all about Ashen that she desired to know. Venom had been the obvious choice for heir, though she had appreciated and loved all of her siblings once. There was only one real choice in the future leader of Ashen. Who else would have been able to make such drastic decisions?

Maki went on to ask about someone fighting for her place and Venom nodded. "I would have.”"I would have fought to the best of my ability, but if they had proven themselves stronger I would have released the title.” Of course, one question wouldn’t be complete without another and the obvious train of thought was about her father, and Venom couldn’t help the amused chuckle that left her lips as Maki wondered if Kuroki would be the next Emperor since he was eldest.

"Goodness, no.” Venom returned. "He had little desire to accept that responsibility, so instead of automatically going to the eldest I nominated your aunt Kiyohime. She accepted and none of her siblings offered a contest. Of course, your younger aunt and uncles could challenge her before she takes the throne.”

"Venom"