After the lot of them were escorted to their respective chambers, Ikigai padded next door, entering the cave where her mother would be staying for the duration of their visit. The accommodations were quite acceptable, her mother's room looking similar to her own.

Iki was excited to be here in Elysium with Manea and Alastor. She quite liked the pair of them and was eager to forge an alliance between them and Ashen. Iki was positive that the packs could be fast friends. It would be beneficial for both to have contacts in different parts of the continent. Surely they all saw that. Next, it would just take some talking to hash out all of the details.

"Mother," Iki greeted before coming close and seating herself on the stone floor near where her mother rested. "Are you hopeful for an alliance with Elysium?" The pallid fae tilted her crown slightly, marbled eyes resting upon her mother's face.

"Ikigai"

They weren’t left in their chambers for very long here in Elysium before Venom heard familiar paw steps approaching. Her attention was grabbed from her wandering thoughts. There was a lot to think about and process after a day like today. She was glad to have come along on the journey though. Making a treck with Chimera not only opened up the opportunities with Elysium but she would strengthen her relationship with him as well.

She lifted her head as Iki called out to her, giving an informal greeting as she quietly approached. Venom smiled softly at the girl, though much closer to a young woman than a girl anymore. "Ikigai,” She returned softly as the princess took her seat close by Venom’s side and spoke again. The Empress nodded in return, but Iki deserved more than a gesture in answer. "Yes, Manea has proved to be as capable as she seems.” She hadn’t taken Winterfell, but she had worked to build her own pack. "I don’t think there will be much resistance to one.”

"Venom"

Her mother spoke, complimenting Manea's drive and stating that an alliance shouldn't be difficult to attain. Iki tilted her head in the opposite direction as she thought. An alliance required terms. There needed to be a trade of some sort to seal the deal. "What could we offer for our part of an alliance?" Iki's inkblot of a tail curled around her hip and all four paws. "I have no doubt that Manea and Alastor will build a very strong pack. With..." Snake slit eyes shifted away from her mother's face as she avoided saying the name that still made them both uncomfortable. "With the change in Ashen's dynamic, we would benefit greatly from another strong alliance." They were already allies with Fenmyre, her uncle Chimera's pack. Adding Elysium to the fold would bolster them on another front. They needed this alliance, but it needed to be worthwhile.

"Ikigai"

From the very beginning Manea had been obviously smitten with her eloquent and poised daughter, had she not met Ikigai Venom was unsure where their relationship would be right now. She certainly wouldn’t be considering an alliance as she was at that moment. Venom lifted her brows as Ikigai went on, what did they have to offer in return for an alliance? Venom didn’t see the need to offer anything more than reciprocation of terms. She tiptoed away from saying Hattori’s name, and it was obvious she was still as haunted as Venom herself.

Iki almost sounded afraid they would not be able to secure their alliance so instead of dismissing the concern she pressed onward. "Parallel benefit is traditionally the terms of agreement, but we could offer higher contingency.” She hummed softly. "What do you think, daughter?”

"Venom"

Venom seemed to think her words over, then asked what Ikigai had in mind for higher terms. It needed to be something to sweeten the deal. The young fae thought, dark ears tucking back for a moment as she did so. What did Manea value? Family, certainly. Power, of course. Iki thought back to their first meeting and remembered how highly the purple fae had praised her 'gifts' as she had called Iki's mutations. The girls silver and obsidian marbled eyes opened a little wider and she stared at her mother.

"What if we offer an alliance not only in faith, but in blood?" Iki spoke a little slowly at first as she still mulled over the idea. "One of our wolves tied to one of theirs?" Iki then went on to explain her thought process. "Family is very important to Manea. By giving over one of our own family into her safe keeping, it would show trust. By binding an Ashen wolf and an Elysium wolf in a marital bond, it would solidify that trust in an unbreakable bond." Unless you were her cowardly father... Iki looked hesitantly to Venom, looking for feedback on her idea.

"Ikigai"

Dark ears perked forward and the Empress sunset gaze lingered on Ikigai as she was invited to further speak her mind. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before reporting to her mother what she thought. Ikigai was incredibly intelligent and there wasn’t much she missed. She could see Manea’s virtues as easily or better than Venom herself. She was hesitant, not near as confident in herself as her mother was and still being weighed down by the dishonored Shogun.

The Princess continued and offered up her deeper thoughts, an offering of flesh to join with that of the Elysium pack. Venom hadn’t expected that suggestion, but it would certainly be the highest point of offering. The Empress wasn’t convinced that one of their own was worth only an alliance. Ikigai was correct, Venom would be showing an incredible amount of trust to offer one of her own in marriage. "Do you believe they are worthy of that trust?” She asked quietly, at that moment she hadn’t convinced herself.

"Venom"

When her mother questioned whether or not Elysium was worthy of the amount of trust required in order to trade one of their own, Ikigai stopped and thought about it for a moment rather than immediately offering an answer. The young woman's head gave a slight tilt as she mulled the idea over once more. Elysium was small now, but with time and more wolves, Iki had no doubt that they would eventually be a force to be reckoned with. Ashen already had allies down in Auster, so having one in the north eastern reaches of the land would be ideal as well.

"Yes, I do." Iki spoke finally. "Tying our packs with a bond will be more than just the spoken words of an alliance. Just as you feel the weight of the decision, Manea will feel it as well." She knew this for certain. There was a certain kinship between Ikigai and the purple woman. She had no doubt that Manea would realize how deep of an honor was being made.

"Ikigai"

Ikigai listened to her soft question and gave it a moment to think about, quietly pondering the important question she had for her. Was Elysium worthy of being considered for a blood alliance? Venom’s doubts lingered in her heart, but not because of Elysium’s strengths or failures, but because of her own. Venom just lost her husband, it already felt like her family was crumbling. Could she let go of one of her own, even for the betterment of the Empire?

Finally her daughter spoke, after a long moment of debate. Venom’s sunset gaze searched Iki’s as she spoke, her conviction and certainty were an inspiration as she went on. Yes. Bright eyes closed as she took in the truths that Ikigai told her, if they truly wanted an unbreakable bond between their packs, sacrifices must be made. "Who would we send?” She asked her softly, so very proud at how her daughter was developing. So proud of her grace, her intelligence, of her daughter.

"Venom"

Iki could see her mother thinking just as deeply as she had. It was a big decision, sending one of their own away to live in another pack. Essentially they would be calling the shots for someone else's life. That part didn't sit well with the pale princess, but sacrifices had to be made. It wasn't as though Manea would allow whoever they sent to be treated poorly. There were worse fates. As if sensing her daughter's thoughts, Venom asked who they would send. "That, I don't know yet," the young woman admitted. "It's a difficult choice, knowing that we would be controlling the fate of another." She had no trouble voicing her concerns to her mother. The pair had pretty open and clear communication and she never felt ashamed to speak her mind.

Moments of silence passed again as both ladies thought, then eventually Ikigai spoke again. "The higher the ranking within the pack, the higher the honor. The bond wouldn't be as strong if we sent them a wolf from our base populous." No doubt some wolves would jump at the chance to be traded off in such a manner so that they might elevate their station. "We don't have many good prospects," she admitted aloud, obsidian tipped ears shifting backwards. "Just my siblings and I..." she spoke the thought as it appeared in her mind. The girl's marbled gaze moved to meet her mother's and she gave a little frown. Was that what it would take? One of the royal children?

"Ikigai"

Venom’s knee jerk reaction was to outright deny this tool to further the Empire. She just lost Hattori, a very important part of her life and the pack, how could she be okay with letting another of her own go. Iki returned softly an answer that echoed her own. Venom held much power over the heads of those in her pack. If she asked they would be expected to go, but how could she do that when she wouldn’t have wanted something like that for herself. When she didn’t want to let go of any of her wolves.

The conversation and options ahead of her were unappealing to say the least, and Venom struggled not to let her own biases and desires cloud this option. Iki went on after a moment of silence, and Venom felt the pressure on her heart increase higher. Brows furrowed as Iki continued to speak her mind. Ikigai or her siblings were one of the only options ahead of them.

Venom looked away at the revelation, hating it and the possibility it meant. A reminder of how old her children were getting. Could she do that to one of her own offspring? Venom wanted to keep them beside her forever, her family should be close especially after the loss of their father… Was she even strong enough to accept this suggestion?

"That… Is a very steep price.” Venom whispered as she pressed a paw against her chest, struggling with the tightness of her heart. She loved her children unconditionally, could she let one of them go> Could she make this decision for them? Being an Empress came with a life full of difficult tasks and decisions, but this one was proving the most difficult of all. She knew Elysium’s loyalty would be worth it, but could she live with herself?

"Venom"

Venom didn't have to say anything. Iki could feel the tension pouring off of her mother, and rightly so. It was indeed a heavy decision. That was what made the gesture so powerful. Offering one's blood... One's child... The seriousness in such an offer couldn't be denied. It wouldn't be denied, she was sure.

With a clinical mind, Ikigai began going over each of her siblings. They were all fighters, something that Ashen sorely needed. She was the only one that had skills that weren't necessary. She would never be a fighter. Her only real skills were diplomacy, music and looking pretty. To her, the decision was easy. Would her mother come to the same conclusion though?

A steep price... The pallid princess nodded, tufted ears slicking back for a moment as she spoke. "All children leave to go on their own adventures eventually. Let it be for the benefit of Ashen." The girl then raised her marbled eyes back to her mother's sunset gaze. "I offer myself," she spoke softly. "It was my suggestion and I can't expect others to do what I would not." The young fae's stomach clenched with nervousness, but she kept her composure outwardly. "Manea has always been kind to be and I believe she finds value in me. Alastor has been kind to me as well. I know life for me would not be hard here." Not that Ikigai would complain if it was. Honor held a high place in her heart and it was not honorable to complain. "My siblings are fighters, warriors in the making. That is what Ashen needs at home, but an alliance like this is what Ashen needs from afar. This is what I can do for Ashen. What I can do for you, mother." The more she spoke, the more Ikigai was confident in this choice of action. It would likely take some convincing on her mother's part, but she was sure that Manea would agree.

"Ikigai"

Venom clung to the family that she had left. One by one she watched them leave her, from Archon, to Pestilence, to Toxicity and Hattori. The thought of voluntarily offering up her own child was so antithetical to the health of her soul. How could she ask such a sacrifice from her children when she had raised them telling them they only had to reach out and grasp their heart;s desire? They were royalty and they deserved the world, but what was it that was forever holding her back? Personal responsibility to the Empire.

Her thoughts were too clouded to come to a similar conclusion to the one that Iki came to, deciding which of her children to sacrifice wasn’t something Venom had ever foreseen doing. It wasn’t a decision that was easily made or accepted, especially when her family was in such a state of disrepair.

She didn’t know if Ikigai had already convinced herself of this path when she began to speak again, but she had a much better grasp on the issue at hand than her mother. Venom’s greatest desire at that moment was to disregard everything, the very notion of giving up her child. But Ikigai spoke with conviction and a clear mind. She did not carry the bias and the hurt that Venom did. I offer myself. The Empress’ features lifted at the notion, worry and denial rising in her features as she bit her lip to contain her protest.

Ikigai continued on the why of her conclusion, realizing that she would have to convince her mother in this. She was right, the others were aspiring warriors and Iki was not. Part of Venom felt like the girl was still her tiny young daughter, that she needed to be protected and warded away from the world. And those traits were being broken in front of Venom’s eyes. Iki was not a vulnerable puppy, she was sharp and intelligent, she was capable, she was a young woman prepared to take on her life’s responsibility.

She felt tears well in her eyes, something she never wanted to show her daughter was this weakness inside. As her mother, Venom couldn’t allow this to happen, but as her Empress she knew this was a valid course of action. "You are right,” She admitted to her daughter softly, and as she looked at the young woman Venom struggled internally. There was a small smile on her features, even through the tears that welled in her eyes. She lifted her white gloved paw to Ikigai’s cheek and beheld everything she was. She held her cheek and gazed into beautiful silver eyes, feeling her heart break again when she relinquished her hold on the young wolf. "But you know I could never let you go easily.” She finished as she leaned forward to kiss the girl’s forehead.

"Venom"

This wasn't an easy decision for either of them and it showed on the faces of both women. Iki was proud that her mother hadn't immediately shot down the idea and, after a time, she eventually agreed that the pale lady was right. The words after brought a soft laugh from the girl and she moved forward, wrapping her mother up in her embrace. "I would hope not," she replied with yet another laugh, though there were tears in her eyes as well.

With her cheek against the side of her mother's neck, she hid the tears from view. This would be a huge step into unknown territory. Yes, she knew Manea and Alastor, but she wasn't being married off to them. She didn't know the wolves of Elysium or who the purple woman might choose for her. She could only trust that Manea would do well by her. No doubt she would be expected to solidify their bond with children in the future. Iki had always known that producing children would be an expectation no matter what match was eventually made for her.

Pulling back after she had collected herself somewhat, Iki forced a smile. "I'll do this for the empire, for you and for our family," the young woman vowed. Manea would have to make the deal sweet enough to accept, but tying the packs together would benefit them both in the long run. "Do you want me to come with you when you speak to Manea?"

"Ikigai"

Venom didn’t know how she felt about taking freedoms she herself had enjoyed away from her daughter. This would be a sacrifice that was not only of herself, but of Ikigai. There would be little to no choice who she spent her life with. The Empress didn’t know if that was a curse or blessing after everything that happened with Hattori. Her heart broke for this conclusion, so torn inside as she battled with this decision. Iki was incredibly determined though, more than Venom could have asked of her. Did she truly realize what she was giving up? Could Venom live with taking that from her?

The pair embraced tightly, Iki grasped her as Venom held onto her. She could only pray that something like this would be worth letting Iki go. Her entire being said this was the wrong choice, but duty and responsibility spoke otherwise. Iki was willing to make this sacrifice and Venom would not dishonor her decision. As Iki pulled away, looking much more collected than her mother, she promised again. Venom nodded in acceptance, however much her heart ached for it.

"Yes, I’ll need your determination to commit to such a promise.” Her voice broke as she lifted a white gloved paw to her daughter’s soft cheek. "My daughter, so strong and noble. Showing her mother what true self sacrifice is..” More tears slipped from her eyes and fell from her silver marked cheek as she gazed into Ikigai’s beautiful eyes. Letting go of her child go into the world like this would become the most difficult task of her life thus far.

"Venom"

Venom cried and it hurt Iki's heart, but she knew in her core that this was the right choice. Something inside of her said that this course of action, no matter how difficult, was the correct course. Her mother held her and she held Venom right back. "Don't cry, mom." Pulling back, the pallid fae's delicate paws rose to wipe away her mother's tears. "This is a good thing. The Empire that you've worked so hard to protect will grow in power." She would do whatever she could to help her mother and to help Ashen. "I'll be so safe here," she reassured the dark woman. "Manea and Alastor won't let anything happen to me. I would rather be the one to make this union with wolves that I know and trust than for any of my siblings to possibly be matched with some unknown." Could her mother understand that?

In time, Venom agreed that she would like her daughter to go with her when they began negotiations. Ikigai forced her bright smile to appear and she didn't let go of her mother's paw. "You can have my strength and determination," she assured her mother. "We'll get everything that the Empire deserves and more." The weightiness of the situation still hadn't settled in fully, but it would in time. "We can talk to Manea whenever you're ready."

"Ikigai"

Iki begged her not to cry but no amount of reassurance would ease the pain of this task or the feelings coming along with it. She felt bad for feeling bad, Venom wouldn’t be the one making any real sacrifice beyond her own offspring’s freedom. She did try to blink away the tears, they were no good use to her or to Ikigai. "I’m sorry,” she returned as she tried to blink back the emotions. It was all so much on her heart though. "I just love you so very much.” Iki reassured her softly, this wouldn’t be some hard life, she would be safe, she would be with their allies. There was no sadness beyond watching her princess spread her wings and fledge the nest. The nest that was emptying far too quickly for Venom’s liking. Maybe part of her feared being alone.

Venom really did need Ikigai’s determination to do this task for her family and for her empire. She put herself in this position so her siblings would not have to be. She was so brave and eager to do her duties. Her heart ached, but the sooner they would make some kind of agreement the better. "I’ll never be ready to let go of you,” She said earnestly and wrapped her arms back around Ikigai’s shoulders. "Before we leave here though, we’ll speak with Manea.”

"Venom"