Venom patrolled along the border, her white gloved paws eating up the ground beneath her as she went. The weather was still deadly cold, they were hardly half way through the winter season. The young Empress pushed through the snow that covered the shrine, the white of the trees causing an unnaturally pristine environment. Peace lay thick over the landscape along with an eerie silence. Any sound emitted was swiftly muffled by the thick accumulation. Venom moved like a dark wraith through the quiet woods, days like this she felt closest to Archon’s spirit. The silence of the day and the quietness in her soul brought him to the forefront of her mind.

He was always with her, in the earth at her paws, in the atmosphere she breathed, and the water that quenched her thirst. Forever unsettled by his untimely demise he would be with her forever. Here and in her dreams. The thought comforted her, just like the silver markings that stained her coat. A constant reminder of his presence. Pale paws brought her to the shrine. The frozen surface glowed softly in the night and drew her in warmly.

Venom drew herself up on the edge of the water, settling onto her haunches in the snow. She pulled her dual toned tail to her hip and let her gaze settle on the ice before her. The light ebbed and flowed and played on her monochrome pelt. The young Empress let her eyes close and her lips were suddenly moving as she whispered a secret prayer into the night.

It was cold, and it was dark. Perfect conditions to be curled up in the warmth and safety of the shrine proper, where glowing coals could lull him to sleep. Yet, the boy could not sleep a wink. Everyone else was asleep, even mother. The door to the shrine proper was open, just a crack, letting in the cool night air and brilliant moonlight. With it, snow was trying to creep ever more into the shrine, spilling through the gap as it accumulated through the night. The youngster carefully extracted himself from the place where he'd settled in close to his sisters, holding his breath when Modesty stirred. No one awoke, and he carefully padded towards the door. The chilly night air nipped at his nose. Head low between narrow shoulders, the child crept back to the sleeping quarters, retrieving one of the many plush furs that was stashed within easy reach of a chilly pup. He did his best to drape it over his back and shoulders, but it never settled as well as when Obi put it on him. Clutching the edge in his teeth to hold it in place, he crept through the thin gap, thankful (for once) for his tiny size and delicate build. The snow crunched beneath his paws, and if he weren't wide awake already, he certainly would be now. There was a figure outlined by the faint glow of the frozen shrine waters. He frowned at it. Who was in his home in the dead of night? An intruder? The fur along his spine bristled at the thought. He could never fight them off, but maybe some stern words would do the trick. He slunk closer, until the ashen patterns of the figure became apparent. Oh, it was his aunt. "Hail Empress Venom," he said quietly, like mother had taught him. As far as he knew, this was the only way to address his aunt unless she started the conversation. "did you sneak out after bedtime, too?" he questioned just as softly, brows pinched together ever so slightly. Formality was both familiar to him, and mysterious. This was a perfectly acceptable conversation starter with your Empress and aunt, as far as the ash and magenta boy was concerned. "speech" BURN BRIGHT LIKE THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Venom wasn’t sitting for very long when her attention was drawn to the sound of pawsteps in hardened snow. Sunset gaze lifted from the glowing water to see one of Tox’s appear from the shrine. She tilted her head slightly, taking him in and swiftly realizing her nephew Pontifex had come to visit her. He looked quite cozy with his little off balance coat. She wouldn’t admit it but her heart warmed at his little greeting and she grinned down at his small frame.

”Good evening, Pontifex.” She returned, lowering her head slightly in greeting. He continued and she didn’t hide her chuckle the second time. Had she snuck out after bed time? ”No, night is when I prefer to be out and seeing to my responsibilities.” She explained softly. ”Do you see the light skin on my nose? It gets sunburned with too much exposure.” A gift of her Klein lineage. ”Have you snuck out after bedtime?” Venom returned offhand, as though the question were of no great consequence. No doubt Toxicity would be displeased to see him out, but at least Venom was here to see to him. Plus she liked a little one on one time with the boy.

The Empress greeted him warmly, and he sensed that he wasn't going to be turned away if he got closer. He returned the dip of her head in greeting with a small bob of his own, trying not to disturb the fur draped over his shoulders and back. She did laugh lightly at his question, and he tried not to frown too hard at it. Why was it funny? ”No, night is when I prefer to be out and seeing to my responsibilities.” she explained, and the confusion was wiped away by curiosity. Adults were allowed to be out after the sun went down? He had known this, to a degree, but to have it confirmed was delightful nonetheless. He never got to be out after dark for very long, and he wanted to watch the stars sometimes. ”Do you see the light skin on my nose? It gets sunburned with too much exposure.” He squinted lightly, and did find that the leathery skin of her nose was a pale pink. Like Patience! He would have to tell Patience to be careful about her nose. ”Have you snuck out after bedtime?” the Empress questioned absently, her voice still whisper soft in the cool dark. Pontifex hesitated, but he figured it wouldn't make sense to lie to the Empress. After all, it was dark outside, and his siblings were still in the shrine proper. "I couldn't sleep," he admitted quietly, auds tipping towards his skull bashfully. "I figured if no one knew I went out, it would be okay if I was quick." he added, two-toned gaze lifting to the Empress' features. He padded a few steps closer, leaving a respectful distance between them. She was his aunt, but her authority was held higher in his mind. He didn't want to get into trouble if she didn't want him sitting too close. He adjusted the fur over his shoulders, letting it bunch up around his neck and drape down his back. "It's really pretty outside at nighttime." he murmured, gaze drifting up to the sky. High above, the stars were winking in and out of sight like a thousand tiny eyes keeping watch while the world slept. Well, aside from himself and Empress Venom. "speech" BURN BRIGHT LIKE THE MIDNIGHT SUN

The boy was quiet and observant and she knew he was digesting every word she spoke with care. Toxicity kept a sharp eye on them, and Venom couldn’t blame her. She’d seen what happened when a parent was lost or wasn’t diligent in their duty to their offspring. Too many faces in their family came to mind. Sunset eyes lingered on his timid features as she finally turned the question back to him. She could see the gears turning behind his own brilliant eyes before he finally answered. Not really a confession but his excuses were enough guilt.

”Perhaps a nocturnal habit will form one day, for now you should keep your mother’s schedule while you grow.” She offered but did not scold. He would live with his consequences in the morning when he woke for prayer. ”Be careful to mind her, the world is unpredictable and even the most cautious find trouble.” Venom shrugged lightly and lowered her front half so she was laying beside him. Her expression and voice continued to act as though her words were of little import. She was an authority in the pack, but she wanted to encourage him to think for himself, but also of the dangers he might face.

”Yes, the night is beautiful. Wait until you see a full moon for the first time.” Her voice grew wistful as she glanced towards her nephew. He was obviously quite taken with the majesty of the night. ”All will come with time.”