Venom’s white gloved paws propelled her over the red of the rock path beneath her. The evening was young but she could still see by what light from the sun filtered through the ash and smoke. She sighed heavily as she walked, head lowered and nowhere near the position a princess should hold herself. She didn’t feel like being a princess today. The dreary and doom like nature of the eruption had seeped into her whole being. She felt like a shadow of the pup that she had been back in the old territory.

The girl walked along quietly, her thoughts focused on the few memories she held tightly to the palace and of when their family was whole. She huffed again as she crested a rise, rose and lilac gaze looking out to where the sun should have been setting. White marked tail hung limply at her hips as she looked out over the horizon and missed her father and his strong presence. With him gone… she had to be the strong one. She had to step up and train harder and be like Archon. Ears fell to her skull as she lifted her head to the wind, she had to be strong but it was so hard.

Zee was returning from her duties with Deathbelle when her soft gaze fell upon the pup as she crested the hill and looked out onto the horizon. She'd grew to love her mistress' children as if they were her own and it was hard to see them so broken. Archon's death had touched so many in Ashen, and Zee wished she could mend the hearts of all who missed him. She padded up behind the pup quietly, wearing an empathetic frown. "Venom, dear. How are you holding up?" The servant girl came up alongside the girl but away enough to respect her personal space. Her horned head tilted to the side as she regarded the princess. "Is there anything I can do?"   "Speech"

The young pup sighed heavily, the action of exhaling so deeply helped her feel a little better. Sighing only helped so much, but it was a better stage than crying continuously. Pink and lilac eyes roved her temporary home, eventually falling on the pumpkin patch. She had little desire to race up to the now brown foliage and bright orange gourds. They stuck out like sore thumbs in front of the backdrop that was the red rocks. She tilted her head curiously, subconsciously thankful for the distraction from her sorrowful thoughts.

Before she could decide to investigate or not Zee’s voice was heard behind her. Venom’s quills rose in surprise but quickly settled as she realized who called out to her. The princess pulled her ears to her skull as she turned to greet her auntie. Venom knew her Aunt Lucretia was her mother’s sister, but she also knew Zee was her aunt but not a Klein. She also wasn’t an Abraxas. The pup was confused about their ties but that didn’t make her love her guardian any less.

She glanced back towards the pumpkins again but decided to leave them alone for now, maybe Zee might escort her over there later if she asked. ”Good. I guess.” She didn’t burst into tears at the mere thought of her dad at least. She sighed heavily again as Zee’s question and let her gaze fall to her delicate white paws. ”Go back in time and tell my dad not to go up the mountain.” She said bitterly before turning back to Zee.

With one quick movement the pup positioned herself up against Zee’s side and she lowered her head to rest against the woman’s shoulder as her tongue flicked with nervous energy. ”This sucks, so much.” She offered in lament as she leaned against Zee’s bigger form.

Zee gave the pup a sympathetic tsk before leaning down to kiss her between the ears. It was a hard road the little Kleins now walked without their father, and Zee herself could hardly make the process easier. She could distract the pup - her little niece - but it wouldn't fix her pain. "Oh, you know your father wouldn't listen to be even if I could." Her reply came, a small fond smile upon her face. Archon would always be important to her for his place in how she came to Ashen, but he was an Abraxas and she was at that point only a slave. "I know it sucks. I'm sorry I can't fix it, I would if I could." She sighed softly, and then leaned down to nudge the pup with her nose. "Is there something we could do to get your mind off of it?" "Speech"

Speaking of her father so boldly still hurt, but hearing Zee speak about his actions towards her managed to put a smile on the pups face. She had to remember him fondly, because she could easily wallow in the fact that he wasn’t here anymore. ”No, he wouldn’t have.” She agreed as she stifled a quick sob. She had to show Zee that she was strong, not that she didn’t show her emotion in the affection she freely sought from her aunt.

Zee continued to prompt the young puppy, and her time spent with Sirius would shine through. Venom flicked her tongue, the answer to the question easy. ”Will you spar with me?” She asked as purple pink eyes were turned upwards. She pawed nervously at Zee’s leg with sheathed claws, eager for such an outlet to her emotions.

Without waiting for an answer she shuffled away from her aunt, leaving a meter and some between them. Her practiced stance fully employed, her eyes having not left the other she wolf.

Zee knew the pup was struggling with so many things, her heart might never fully heal from this loss. Venom's stifled sob brought an empathetic tsk from the servants lips, and she offered the princess a soft smile at her request. There was little Zee wouldn't do to help the pups get their minds off their loss, and if it was a spar Venom wanted then surely she could accommodate that. "Of course, little one." She nodded at the child, watching her as she fell into a fighting stance. It was well polished, and Zee was proud at how quickly Venom was picking up her lessons. Zee moved into her own readied position as Venom appeared ready. She lowered her head and aligned her spine, flagged her tail up behind her and spread her legs outward to find her balance. The last few spars she'd had Zee'd focused on learning to fight with her horns but today she would do her best to leave them out of it - a pup could too easily be skewered by them, and she did not have the same feeling in them as she did her jaws that would let her be gentle in their use. Once they were both ready, Zee shot forward. She aimed to cross the meter quickly and begin by shouldering the pup's chest if the other would meet her charge. Generally the servant girl could not fight this way - she was much too small versus a usual opponent to rely on anything other then agility - but while Venom was growing quickly Zee still had the superior size. Zeitgeist vs Venom for Spar Round 1/? Age: 2 Size: Small Build: Light Offensive Accessory: Thorn Wrappings Companion 1: Rough scaled bush viper (Battle) Mutation: Kudu Horns Fight Skill Level: Expert "Speech"

Venom had been training to spar almost as long as she had been learning to walk. She was learning well, but hadn’t quite overcome her puppy clumsiness. She did manage another smile as Zee wouldn’t deny her request. Venom was a resilient child, and though it hurt not having her father she was easily distracted from the pain. She knew he was looking down at her proudly.

The young pup wasn’t given much time to think as Zee quickly settled into her own defenses and charged at the young pup. Venom watched through her narrowed gaze as her auntie aimed to bash into her small chest. The young pup took the moment of time it took Zee to close the distance to raise up onto her hide legs. Zee’s attack landed on Venom’s chest but with her paws open wide and her claws unsheathed she aimed to grab hold of Zee’s shoulders. She wanted to dig her claws in deep so when the momentum of Zee’s attack affected her she might render the flesh with her kitten claws. At the same time her jaws were open aand sought purchase at the base of Zee’s neck.

Venom Klein Abraxas vs Zee for Spar
Round 1/ 2
Age: under 6mos
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Mutation: Cat Claws (Attack)
Mutation: Quills (Defense)
Disability: Puppy
Fight Skill Level: Intermediate

The pup did not shy away from Zee's assault and she smiled inwardly, proud that the young one was learning such bravery. One day not too far in the future she'd outgrow Zee and even her own mother and hopefully under Sirius' guidance become a formidable warrior. Her blessings were coming in beautifully and Zee felt the sharp nick of cat claws digging into her shoulders. The grab was more painful then she'd experienced from wolves with traditional paws and shortly after did she feel the pup's jaws latch onto her neck. Zee lifted a paw to try and wrap around the child's back - almost like a one armed hug - and pin her there. She could deal with the rending claws and puppy teeth but the pin would allow her more freedom in retaliation. At the same time, she tilted her head downwards as to try and reach the young one's head. It was an awkward position, but she could potentially latch her jaws around the pup's ear - softly as not to rip or tear - as she remained with her jaws on Zee's neck. From behind the little one came the viper hidden in the grass. It climbed up Zee's leg and over to her chest and did it's best to bridge the gap between the pup and it's master. Not wanting to bite and potentially harm the princess, it instead attempted only to coil itself around Venom's neck and squeeze with it's body. Zeitgeist vs Venom for Spar Round 2/2 Age: 2 Size: Small Build: Light Offensive Accessory: Thorn Wrappings Companion 1: Rough scaled bush viper (Battle) Mutation: Kudu Horns Fight Skill Level: Expert "Speech"

The wind was knocked from the pups lungs as Zee slammed into her, but she felt her claws latch onto her auntie with a bit of satisfaction. Venom had trouble reaching Zee’s flesh through her thick fur, and with her trouble catching her breath she wasn’t able to get a great hold. However, Zee didn’t hesitate to wrap her paws around Venom, and the young girl instinctively brought her hackles up, bringing her quills up with them. Hopefully poking Zee’s arms and keeping her from gaining hold.

Venom tried not to squeak when Zee’s teeth took hold of her sensitive ear. As she regained her breath the puppy tried to rearrange her grip on Zee’s neck, had the viper not wrapped its body around her own she would have shook her head. Releasing Zee’s flesh from her claws Venom tried to claw the snake off of her neck. She panicked and made to back away from Zee as she struggled for breath despite the snake’s gentleness.

Venom Klein Abraxas vs Zee for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 6mos
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Mutation: Cat Claws (Attack)
Mutation: Quills (Defense)
Disability: Puppy
Fight Skill Level: Intermediate

And the winner is...

ZEITGEIST

Venom must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Zeitgeist: 380.4 Venom: 234.6