The moment he was free, the Warlord made his way to the barracks, taking out the finer bottle of wine Artorias had gifted him some time ago. Thinking that now sounded like a time it needed to be open. Bottle of win in a loose bag over his shoulders, the Warlord made his way to Ashen.

Howling for its Empress at the border, he settled back on his hunches and waited to see if his goddaughter would appear. He thought back to the last time they had stood a while and spoken. During the long night, when his infected, addled brain had urged her to flee.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Only days had passed since Venom’s life took a turn she had never anticipated. The cursed long night had taken far too much from her. The Empress was still very much nursing her wound, she had the unending support of those that remained, her children and Plague were as tight faceted as ever. Her brother proved that to her time and time again. Maybe she wouldn’t have been doing so well had he not been there for her.

The familiar sound of Sirius’ voice on her border had Venom veering off of her patrol. She was always trying to stay busy and away from the palace. Part of her expected to see Hattori waiting for her in the main hall, his scent still lingered in their quarters, and reminders of their time together sprang up everywhere. The hurt remained real and raw. Venom hadn’t even told the pack officially yet, but the Shogun.. The once shogun’s presence wouldn’t take long to be missed.

She tried to banish him from her mind so she did not greet the Warlord with tears coming down her cheeks. Her white gloved paws carried her through the pale trees to greet him. ”Sirius,” she offered reverently in greeting with a soft bow of her head. ”Welcome, what’s brought you to my border today?” They did have much to speak about since their last meeting, but Venom wasn’t so sure she was ready to reintroduce herself to the world alone.

It wasn’t long before the familiar form of the woman appeared before him. With the past, and Deathbelle on his mind lately, the familiarities were achingly apparent. She started to bow and he gently lifted a paw forward, stopping the gesture. The Ashen Empress did not bow to Sirius. The world would never change to such a great degree.

“Venom.”[ /b] he said gently, leaving his paw on her shoulder for a moment. His eyes met her familiar rose gaze. [b] “If you could spare some time, I thought you might like to share a drink with me.” He explained gently, knowing to some degree the pain she was feeling right now. He did not know why Hattori had left her, but he cursed the man's foolishness. He hadn’t deserved Venom in the first place, and now he spurned that honour, costing her her heart.


"Sirius Fatalis"

He had been there as long as she could remember, maybe distance had grown between them as she grew up and took her place as Empress. He had the Armada to run, and she was here leading Ashen. Alone. Her heart clenched as Sirius halted the soft tilt of her head. He greeted her similarly though, her name followed by a far too knowing offer.

Sunset gaze found his deep blue eyes, there was a look there that told her he knew the deeper pain she hid from the surface. Venom grit her teeth, not because of his offer, it was very generous. It hurt that she had to see him like this, while she was lesser, while she was still torn in half. He didn’t have to even say he knew what happened, that much was obvious in his offer.

”I would.” She answered simply. She hadn’t sat down, but drinking here on the border seemed rude and unprofessional. ”Come in, we’ll find somewhere more comfortable.” Venom gestured lightly to bring Sirius into the forests, leading him towards the shrine. The bamboo temple was much different from when Toxicity controlled it, now it was more of a small shelter. The front wall facing the waters was removed, and instead of the dark room it was filled with furs and pillows to keep comfortable. Venom invited him in as she made herself comfortable there.

“Thank you” The Warlord said, following Venom across the border and into Ashen. He wondered what changes Hattoris leaving would bring Ashen, but he was diplomatic enough not to ask. The best he could do was be there for Venom, and if she wished to open up to him, he would give her the chance. The last time she had opened up and wept with him had been at the death of her father. How long ago had that been now? The years escaped him.

Venom led him through the forests of her territory, and towards the shrine. She walked into a comfortable looking room beside it, pillows on the floor and light streaming in from the open wall. He settled himself down and placed the gift between them. “This came from the Hallows, I hear it's a very good vintage” He explained as he lifted his paw from the bottle. “Would you like to do the honours?” he gestured for her to open and sample it.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Sirius followed her into the territory with thanks, still remaining silent on the real reason he found himself here. By now Hattori’s presence would be noticeably absent and Venom knew she was running out of time to announce her loss. She’d asked Plague what she should do, and his advice was the best. She just needed to tell the truth. This did not shine negatively on her, and however much none of the mess was her fault she wore the guilt like a badge of honor. Her family was broken irreparably, she lost her partner, but the worst part was that he left of his own volition. He made the decision to wash his hands of her and Ashen, and that fact tore her heart to pieces.

Venom made herself comfortable and Seer followed her lead. As she looked at him Venom could see the way the years were beginning to affect him. The man was still in his prime, his strength palpable with every small movement, but the wisdom of many years lived also took its toll. Had it been so long ago he was training the tiny puppy she had once been?

The Warlord the brandished a bottle from his bag, proclaiming its origin and vintage before giving her the honors. She knew he had to know what was going on. Hadn’t Kiyo taken up residence in the Armada for a time? Venom hadn’t spoken with her since before Hattori left her. Venom hadn’t tasted liquor since she gave her once husband that rare bottle of sake. Her chest clenched tightly, her eyes glazed over and she tried to hide the clenching of her jaw as she nodded acceptance instead of speaking. Afraid her voice would reveal too much.

He had thought he’d seen his wife die, he knew the pain of losing the one he loved, but he had seen her return. Hattori wasn’t coming back to her. Still , she knew the emotions had been real, Sirius knew much of the turmoil beneath the surface. Venom buried her emotions again and carefully opened the bottle and sampled the first taste. She was no expert, but it went down easier than the sake she had grown used to.

Venom let a refreshed sigh leave her lips as she pulled them from the bottle and offered it back to Sirius. ”Very nice,” her voice broke as the afterburn took her breath. Still feeling stiff as the liquor coated her throat it wouldn’t take much more for her belly to warm and Venom’s barriers would break down to Sirius completely.

The Empress opened the bottle at his prompting and took a sip before handing it back to the Warlord. Venom and Sirius sat side by side, and he scooped the bottle up in his own paws. Taking a small sip himself, and savouring the taste of it. Art had been right, it was good.

He gently nudged it to her side again, leaning further back on his paws, looking at the ceiling of this temple. A temple to the shrine, and a reminder that he had once captured this land for Deathbelles sake, and then broken her heart and spirit. He clenched his paws to the floor and sighed, feeling many of his own regrets, and wondering how many Deathbelles daughter now held. “Did you want to talk about it?” he asked gently, not pushing. If she wished to simply drink beside him and speak nothing of her loss, then he would do exactly that. But either way, he would be there beside her.


"Sirius Fatalis"

Sirius took the bottle from her as she passed it back his way, and as he gulped she could feel the warmth of it settle in her belly. The pair of them were quiet for a long few moments. Silence settled between them as they settled their bodies into a relaxing pose. However comfortable the Empress’s frame remained stiff and tense. Sirius was just as weighted as she was, though Venom didn’t notice even as he finally spoke. Revealing that he had come because he knew.

Her chest clenched and she averted her gaze from him. The wound was new and raw and so deep. Everything flooded back. Venom grabbed the bottle from Sirius again and took a long drawn out swig until she had to cease if only to catch her breath. Venom pulled the bottle from her lips, gasping for air as she grit her teeth and furrowed her brows. He’d left her.

”He promised me forever.” She told Seer bitterly, but still keeping her sunset gaze from him. ”And then he left.” A soft sob fell from her lips as she spoke as she felt like she was toppling again. Maybe it was her fault for relying on him too heavily, for believing him, for giving him so much of herself. He had become a pillar, and without him Venom felt like she had become crippled.

He did not miss the way her eyes turned, as through too much emotion lingered behind her eyes for her to meet his gaze. His heart clenched at the Empress’s sorrow. This was the line he had once sworn to protect, and Venom was very much Deathbelle’s child. It seemed they would have a similar fate in the ways of love, as well.

He clutched the bottle a little harder, before forcing his colossal paws to relax, lest he break it in this little sanctuary by the shrine. He pushed it instead back towards Venom, who was already reaching over to grab it. Taking another long sip of her own. Deeper this time, as through to drown away the emotions his question brought. The Warlord grunted softly at her answer. “Then he has a shit concept of forever.” he remarked dryly. Making no ofer to hunt the man down and box his ears, as his younger self might have suggested. He did not think Venom was angry, at least not yet. She seemed… shocked, and fragile from this change. “Why don’t you come have dinner in the Armada tonight? Give yourself a break. Your packs close enough to hear any trouble.”


"Sirius Fatalis"

She was suffering and she didn’t wish to admit the fact, everything had changed for her. Change was the natural course of life and she was prepared for the changes of life. As the seasons constantly changed so could you expect your life to. This was completely unexpected and she had no preparation. Expect the unexpected and all of that but she didn’t expect for her loyal husband to up and leave her.

Venom finally admitted aloud to Sirius what happened and he was quick to comment on Hattori’s poor perception. She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite form on her features as Sirius went on. He invited her to the Armada for a nice dinner, a few moments to get away from the pack and away from the memories. Just like Plague had told her. Get out, I’ve got it here. Essentially.

She sighed again, taking another swig. "That’s kind of what Plague said.” She lowered the bottle and looked out over the water. "Alright, Seer.” The warmth of the liquor was spreading through her belly and slowly turning to inebriation. "Take me to dinner.”


"Venom"

The Warlord gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment at her statement on Plague. He had a feeling all of those who cared for her would be angered by what Hattori had done. If that man was wise, he wouldn’t stick his head out in these parts for a good time yet. The Warlord leaned over and gently tapped her chin. “Empress, my fangs are yours. If you ever want them to taste his flesh, you need only say the word.” He promised her softly.

He leaned back again, releasing her and smiling softly “As you wish” He agreed, getting to his paws, and offering her his arm. Wishing only to take her from her troubles for a time.


"Sirius Fatalis"

Maybe she did need a break from things, or at the very least a change of scenery. Maybe she needed to go out for a while, just see the world and try to quiet her mind. She needed to be alone to figure out what was going on inside. Maybe these wolves who cared so much about her were right. It was time to take some time for herself. And she would, starting with this offer of dinner from the Warlord. He offered his fangs if she desired them within Hattori’s flesh, and her once husband was lucky she was not vengeful with the sets of jaws that she had vowed to her cause. "I will keep your offer in mind,” She tried to let it roll off her shoulders as she chuckled softly. It was obviously forced though.

Sirius lifted himself to his paws and offered an arm for Venom to find hers. The Empress let him guide her to her feet, and she would let him lead her to their dinner.


"Venom"