TW for mention of self mutilation

Tox came from the small den she and Obi had set up for the... process. She wasn't sure anyone would notice her absence anyway. They were out there for a while- days perhaps- as Obi carved out the details Toxicity visualized onto her arm. After the skin had been lifted, Obi had applied a paste to it and wrapped it to help it heal. Every day, it was cleansed and re-wrapped. Now Toxicity could move with mild pain- something she had already taken medication for. Her left leg remained bandaged, the scars hidden for the time being, as she re-entered her home.

Venom had missed her sister’s presence, but that was nothing new. At one point the girls had been nearly inseparable, but now the princess felt like her sibling was a stranger. For as long as she could remember her parents, Klein or Abraxas, preached the closeness of their family. Still, she felt like her sisters were as far a reach as her father. Plague often visited her, and their bond seemed to be growing slowly. Even he had quieted to her.

The yearling spent much of her time here in the shrine, and hadn’t missed the small den that her sister and father’s once companion seemed to hole themselves up within. For days now they seemed not to leave, but today Venom caught the fresh scent. The gloved girl padded up quietly, apprehensive about her sudden appearance, but she hoped she wouldn’t be directly rebuked. ”Toxicity?” Her sister’s name was foreign on her lips, and the feeling was shameful. Venom had to try harder to rebuild her relationship with her siblings.

Toxicity turned at the sound of her name. It was unfamiliar to hear her name on someone else's lips, even more so that it wasn't her mother's voice that called to her either. When she turned, she saw her sister, the heir, Venom. An uncertainty stirred in Tox's stomach, wondering if her sister would reject and rebuke her for her dedication to the gods. She decided it would be unfair to not give her sister a chance, however, and so she turned to face her. "Venom," she said with a weary and light smile, "Blessed be. How have you been?" She didn't want to sound so unfamiliar, but she didn't have any idea what else to say at the moment.

Venom quickly gained her sister’s attention, forest green eyes turned towards her as Tox looked almost surprised to hear her name. The young princess was focused on her ultimate goal of taking her mother’s place as head of the Klein family, but Venom wanted more than that. She was resigned to Abraxas and his influence in her life, she could have lived with or without the deity, but.. She did believe a goddess was higher ranked than an Empress, and if Toxicity’s devotion could bring her closer to that lofty title..

”I am well, staying occupied.” She replied simply, thoughts lingering on her undeveloped mental plans. ”What about you? You’re wounded?” She questioned, feeling rude to put so much attention on her sister’s wrappings.

Her sister explained that she was fine and directed her attention to Tox's arm, asking if she was injured. Slowly, Toxicity shook her head, "No, I am well. I may have been wounded many times, but it all is able to be turned around in God's favor." That was why she liked to imagine she was one of God's favored tools. Everything in her life was made into the form of godhood in one way or another, she made sure of it.

"And the rise to alphaship is going well? The pack members readying for the inevitable transition?" In truth, Toxicity was not at all close to the pack. If it had not been for her sister, she would have left long ago. "How long does mom plan to reign?"

Toxicity took a moment to answer, and Venom was struck by the differences between their outlooks. Tox saw herself as a tool for God, whereas Venom struggled to embrace any kind of devotion. If she was descended from a god she wanted to embrace her own power more than exalt that of the original deity. Abraxas did nothing for her besides bestow her divinity. He reclaimed their father and hid himself away from her. ”God’s favor…” She mumbled softly, as she struggled to think that he had shown her any kind of favor. Everything she had was from her own strength. Maybe her mother chose her position from her order of birth, but she had proved to be the strongest left standing.

”The pack seems mildly divided.” She uttered quietly, those that held onto their loyalty to the Empress no matter her decisions and those that did not. ”She’s been more.. tired. But she clings to her position. The title of most powerful woman in Boreas is hard to drop and she holds tighter the more it slips away.” Though her mother would never acknowledge what Venom just uttered the girl could see it plainly. Life weighed heavily on their mother. ”I think it will be sooner than later.” She hadn’t been given a real time line, but it seemed like Deathbelle was trying to hold out until her second birthday.

Toxicity didn't miss her sister's utterings. they would need to talk about god later, it seemed. Not all of her siblings held her same beliefs and while some deviation was to be expected and was acceptable, outright denial was neither. After that, Tox listened to her sister, nodding solemnly at her words. The pack always seemed divided, in her opinion, even between the Abraxas and the Kleins, but even more so between the Kleins themselves. "Do you plan on trying to unify them? Or simply discard those who do not obey your rule?" Toxicity was honestly curious, and as long as they were on the same side, she would be fine with either.

Venom went on to say that their mother's time on the throne was to be short lived. Toxicity nodded slowly, though her mind was more elated than she was willing to let on. She had doubts in her mother's faith and abidance to godhood. She wasn't sure where Venom sat, but as a god by blood, she was no doubt a good choice as leader for the pack. Toxicity wasn't sure if she was to stay with the pack or strike out on her own later, but for the time being, the protection and training of the pack suited her well, and she did feel the tug of her heart towards her siblings in her pack. She was fearful they'd turn on her, but if that was to be, then she could still strike out on her own. There were other Abraxas, Toxicity knew, but she didn't think they'd be the type to take her in. Maybe one day. Maybe she could reform. Or maybe she could even reform them... It was an interesting thought, and one that Venom could very well help with later.

"Are you ready to be the alpha?"

Venom contemplated her sister’s words for a moment, would she find more success in attempting to unify the pack or to keep only those that pledged themselves to her. ”I’d be better off ridding myself of any weakness before it becomes a problem.” She admitted softly, tongue flicking as she thought more deeply. Those same thoughts were interrupted lightly as her sister spoke up about her readiness to take the helm.

That was the real question. She started to doubt herself. Just the strength she could boast was not enough to lead the entire Empire. ”I am conflicted.” Venom admitted quietly. ”I don’t feel like I have enough knowledge or experience to lead fully.” She didn’t have anyone she could trust enough to set up as a close second in command. Someone she could trust to be close to her and have the intelligence and will power to work as hard as Venom in leading Ashen.

Toxicity held onto Venom's words, looking for deception, but off the bat found none. She said she would be better off ridding herself of any weakness within the pack and Toxicity couldn't hide the faint but sharp smile that crossed her face briefly. "Good," was all she said. She could elaborate later, but the sentiment was enough. She was with Venom on that point. The pack had no use for weaklings when they were nearly busting at the seams.

Venom admitted her doubts to Toxicity and Tox sobered her expression. She listened, her mismatched eyes examining her sister's features. "I do not think our mother had much more experience when she began the pack," she said. The topic of their mother was something the girl wanted to avoid, but it was necessary for the context of this conversation. "Besides, you are a god by blood. You are meant to rule, and I truly feel your ruling will be blessed. Who knows- by the end of this, we may even claim the title of true gods ourselves." Not that they weren't gods already, but there was a difference between one with god blood and a true god. She expected Venom to understand the distinction- they were raised to in early pup hood. That's what made them. "Besides, I don't have any plans of leaving your side and, for whatever it's worth, Obi plans to stay as well."

Venom wouldn’t lie to her sister,of all the virtues maybe honesty was the one she held above the others. She knew she still had shortcomings, that was why she was so hesitant to embrace her future position. Both of those were why she divulged the words to Tox, and the girl didn’t argue the first bit. It made sense to rid Ashen of those who wouldn’t be completely loyal to her.

Her sister showed her support in the encouraging lilt of her voice, Venom’s lilac gaze settled on her sister as she spoke, reminding her of her heritage, of how much she was truly capable of simply because of her breeding. Sometimes her sibling’s support was not as visible as she would have been comfortable with, but Venom believed Toxicity’s words. She would be beside her long into the future. Deep in her heart she knew her sister was right, she was meant to rule, she could feel it in her bones.

”I’m glad to hear it.” There was real relief in her voice. ”I can feel it coming. Ready or not.”