While Plague took charge of the pack for a while Venom couldn’t ignore her duty completely. It wasn’t in her nature to take time away, so even in this it was business as usual. Or as close to usual as she could achieve. She did better everyday, growing and recovering from the massive blow she endured. She just had to remember who she was. She had taken Ashen’s throne by herself and she would maintain it just as well on her own.

Really though, Venom wasn’t ever alone. She still had her brother at her side, her children had all remained and did their best to help her too. She thought of sweet Ikigai when she found herself struggling the hardest. Her daughter’s words repeated over in her mind when her own efforts didn’t seem enough. There was another she could rely on as well, however much distance remained between them, and she found her white gloved paws carrying her to his border.

Their relationship had always been complicated, but Chimera always stood by his word. At the very least she could trust him in that. More so than her own husband. While she was out in the world, allowing the breeze to push her where it would, Venom stopped at Fenmyre’s border. For a moment she stood silently, taking in the sights before her. She watched her younger brother grow from petulant child, to successful King.

She didn’t have a particular reason or goal to accomplish in appearing here, and yet she tipped back her head and asked for Chimera’s presence. As the moon began to rise and the night was really coming to life.

"Venom"

Aspen Dam | Late evening/early night | warmish

Sadly, Chimera rarely thought about Venom or Ashen or anything that didn't have to do with Fenmyre. So when he heard his sister's call, he was rather surprised. She hadn't come to visit the island until now, so...what was the occasion? Luckily for Venom, Chimera had been working on the new den well into the evening, so he wasn't far from the border. When she called, the giant man rinsed his paws off in the stream, then made his way towards the border.

The moon illuminated the land, making travel exceptionally easy. The brutes long legs ate up the distance, making the trek very short work. In the distance he could see his sister's speckled form easily, not having to squint against the bright light of the sun. He preferred moving about at night, but with so many members of his family being diurnal, well... he suffered through it.

The hulking beast slowed to a stop before his sister, offering a nod of greeting. "Venom," he rumbled in a low baritone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He'd heard no news from the outside world because, honestly, he didn't care. The man had no knowledge of her hardships or woes. He imagined she had a reason for coming, however, and waited to hear what that might be.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

After Chimera left that had kind of been the end of things. She held up her end of the bargain as he did and that was that. Venom knew she could call upon him for favors, he’d always been true to his word, but now that he had his pack he had become more reclusive than when he lived on her small island. He never really needed her and he didn't need her now.

Venom didn’t have to wait for very long before Chimera appeared before her, his massive frame and posture leaving no doubt to his new rank. These were his lands and he was in his element. This was where her brother was always supposed to be. Maybe the Kleins really were the real royalty in their bloodline.

He greeted her with a swift nod and her name, his speech much more refined these days. She let herself smile as she took him in, surprised but proud of what her little brother built for himself. "Hello, Chimera.” She greeted softly in return. "It’s been too long since we talked for one,” Venom started truthfully. Both leaders were content living quietly in their own part of the world.

She sighed softly, trying to ignore the ache in her heart as she went on. "I thought you should know that Hattori is no longer part of my life.” Venom confessed to him, uncertain if he really cared about it in her personal life. But he was her secondary and Chimera deserved to know the going on in the political world. Even if he had become reclusive. "I didn’t want you to be caught off guard.”

"Venom"

Venom claimed that it had been too long since they'd spoken. He supposed it had, but if there was nothing to be said, why force it? She then went on to tell him that she was no longer involved with Hattori. "Good," the man spoke bluntly. "There was always something off about him." Chimera had never liked the fish wolf. Had never had anything to do with him when he was part of Ashen. Hattori had always seemed as though he believed himself to be better than everyone around him and this was far from the case.

"So you needed a break," he surmised, arching the brow above his white eye. "Come then," Chimera motioned for Venom to follow him into the territory. There was no need to rush, so he kept the pace leisurely as he led her towards the river. The moonlight reflecting off of its surface would provide ample light for travel. The river itself wound and ended up emptying into the sea relatively close to where the ferry was situated, so it worked out.

"I assume you're upset that he left." It wasn't really a question. Venom hadn't asked at all, but Chimera was going to give his opinion anyway. "It's better this way," he shot his sister a side eye. "The man watered you down. He weakened you and Ashen with his ways." Now that Fancy-Fur-Hattori was out of the picture, Chimera had no doubt that Venom would be back to herself in no time. "If you need help getting the pack into shape again, you've but to ask."

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Their greetings were quick and concise, and Chimera didn’t have much to say about the time that had passed between them. The real meat of their conversation was quick, but took her brother’s attention easily. She tried not to be unsettled about his brash start. Good. Venom didn’t feel that way, suddenly being alone in the world was not her definition of good. Chi went on to reveal his feelings about Hattori before predicting her actions fairly accurately. She was on a break disguised as a somewhat diplomatic world tour. Venom wasn’t about to correct him on anything he said, because she couldn’t. Without another word from her Chimera invited her in.

She gave him a small nod in acceptance as he led her into the territory. She kept her emotions to herself, her relationship with Chimera had always been much more professional than affectionate or emotional. "You would assume correct.” She returned softly as he went on to explain his position further. She would be better off now. He told her exactly what he thought, that Ashen had weakened with Hattori beside her, she would be more concentrated without him. She wanted to believe him, but it hurt. To think she had made such a huge mistake with her life.

He offered his help to return Ashen to its previous glory, but she wasn’t even sure what foot to take next. When she went home and faced the pack again she would ask them of their desires but what did she want? Where did she wanted Ashen to go and grow into? She was broken now but she would be rebuilt stronger, it was just the process that would be hard and arduous. "Thank you, Chimera.” She told him simply. "I… don’t even know what my vision is anymore.” She revealed softly as she paused and let her gaze wander away from her escort.

"Venom"

Though their relationship had always been a little strained, Chimera still didn't want to see his sister hurt. He could see the tumultuous emotions flit across her features as they walked. Perhaps being surrounded by so many women had softened him somewhat. Perhaps he truly did care about the well being of Venom. Either way, when the Empress of Ashen admitted that she didn't know what to do next, Chimera sighed.

Taking a step towards his sister, Chimera stopped her and, surprisingly, pulled her into an embrace, fitting her smaller frame against his chest. They'd never been the touchy feely type, but he felt as though she needed and deserved a bit of affection after the fishy bastard had obviously tore out her heart. The black and white brute nuzzled between his sisters ears, giving her a little squeeze. "I know you loved him, but it was one sided. He doesn't deserve to lick the dirt from your paws." The man was worthless and Chimera had always felt that way. Perhaps Venom had been blinded by love, but Chi had always seen it.

"You're better than him. Harness your inner Klein, sister. Don't let him or his fish bastards know that he hurt you. Rise up and be as strong as I know you can be." The man then lightly bumped his sisters nose with his own. A rare smile lifted the corners of his maw. "You'll get through it." Of that, he had no doubt. They shared the same blood. He was strong and he knew that she was as well. She just had to remember it.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Venom had never been close to Chimera, but they had always kept an understanding. After he’d saved her life and they had struck a deal the Empress knew at the very least that she could trust her brother to his word. Much more than even her own husband she unfortunately learned. As she spoke Chimera slowed and she heard the sigh slip from her brother’s lips. SShe wasn’t sure how she felt about the judgment, she knew now that he hadn’t been a fan of Hattori but she really couldn’t deal with criticism right now.

To her surprise there was no comment or rebuke as Chimera approached her and without hesitation wrapped his massive arms around her shoulders. A surprised mumble fell from her lips as he pulled her into his chest and offered the opposite of what she expected from him. He had changed and grown an incredible amount since he left Ashen, and became exactly what she needed in that moment.

Venom felt the tension release within her frame and she sunk into his affection as the emotions built at the back of her eyes. This was a foreign affection, she’d never felt this from Chimera before, but he comforted her as he spoke the truth to her. Hattori had never really deserved that place at her side, Chimera was convinced he was not even worthy to lick her paws.

Chimera was understanding but that didn’t extend to covering the truth as he saw it. He didn’t believe that Hattori had ever loved her, that her Klein strength would shine through and she would come out the other end stronger for it. Hattori and his ilk didn’t even deserve to know the harm he had caused her. Harness her inner Klein. The words aroused a sleeping beast within her, a fact that she had ignored for far too long. Abraxas had betrayed her, all of them. But the wolves who more soundly emulated the Klein name had always been loyal to her and true to their word.

"I know,” she confessed pitifully. Venom wasn’t one to feel sorry for herself, it didn’t make a difference anyway. What gripped her was the pain of the wound where her husband ripped himself from her heart. "I’ll get there,” she hoped. "But the wound takes time to heal.” She whispered into his coat as she clung to him. There were not many wolves privileged to see this part of her but Chimera had long earned his place.

"Venom"

Venom settled into his arms and Chimera didn't let go. He was content to hold the woman for as long as she needed and, after being rejected by her former husband, he imagined that she did indeed need it. He kept the smaller wolf pressed against him, curling his head over her own, encasing her within his protective embrace. They were never like this. In fact, he still held scars beneath his fur from their fight for dominance so long ago. He had changed, however. With the building of his family, it had made the brute more accepting, protective and loving of the family that he had. Venom was part of that family and so he would provide her with the same comfort that he might if Siren, Aliana or Dalila were upset.

As the woman agreed, moving on to say that she would indeed heal in time, Chimera gave a gritty chuckle. "I know you will," he agreed with his sister. "We share the same blood," he reminded her again, "And I know you're strong. Take this experience, wrap it tightly around you like a second skin, and never let anyone do this to you again." He gave the woman a gentle, light hearted shake.

"You should come with me to visit the new alpha of Elysium," the man suggested, pulling back a bit to look down into his sister's sunset gaze. "I plan to bring my son, Cerberus. Perhaps you would bring one of yours so that he has company on the journey." Still sitting on his haunches with his powerful forelegs draped about the woman's shoulders, he continued. "Elysium would make a powerful northern ally for both of us, I believe. What do you think? Have you had dealings with Manea?" Mismatched ears shifted forward as he asked his sister's opinion.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

The affection wasn’t anything that she had ever expected from Chimera. Their relationship from when he was a child had always been strained, she hadn't ever been particularly close to any of her younger siblings. But they were blood and that meant more to Venom than anything despite how much betrayal she had seen. There was part of her that worried about this show of support. If only because her trust in everyone had been damaged by her ex. Chimera was steadfast and his embrace was strong. It did much to bolster her confidence in him and her own ability to trust.

It would be an affliction that effected her for a long time, but everyday was a little bit easier, she could feel herself growing better and stronger because of the challenge she was given. Chimera encouraged her and warned her to learn from all of it so no one was able to do that to her again. Venom wouldn’t allow it, Hattori made her harder and less forgiving. After being burned so many times Venom needed to become harder.

Chimera shook her softly to go along with his own words of wisdom before he let her go and maybe the physical shake up was more convincing even than his words. She nodded assuredly and the conversation turned as he suddenly invited her on a trip to Elysium. "I would enjoy that very much.” She returned softly, already deciding Ikigai would be the one to accompany her. Ike would also be a good choice, but her ambassador daughter would glean much more information.

"I’ve met with Manea quite a few times, and I agree with you. Tey will make an impressive ally.” She continued as she found herself comfortable in Chimera’s loose embrace.

"Venom"

Chimera continued to hold his elder sister and was content to do so until she felt confident enough to break their embrace. He believed that she was better than the events that had transpired, she just needed to believe it as well. Hattori was garbage. Jokingly, Chimera spoke, "You should introduce me to your next lover before you jump the gun," He then placed a gentle kiss between his sisters ears. The two-toned brute had always felt that Hattori was off, but there was no getting through to someone when they were in love, not that he had tried. If Venom allowed herself to become attracted to a man again, Chimera would try this time.

Venom agreed to accompany him on a visit to Elysium and Chimera nodded. "I saw her lose the match to that idiot pirate woman," The brutes nose wrinkled in distaste, "and she did so gracefully and humbly. That speaks a lot to her character." Mentally, Chimera was making preparations for their journey. Things that they would need. Affairs to get in order. "Let's leave in a week then," he told the woman in his arms. A week would give them both time to prepare for their departures. "Will you stay the night or do you need to head back to Ashen?"

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

He held her in a way that she knew he wouldn’t let go until she was ready. His strong arms comforted her, and his gruff voice amused her as he spoke again. She’d better introduce him to whoever she decided on next. "I will,” Venom offered quietly. Despite it being a joke, perhaps he was right. She had no real desire as they stood there to find a mate again, but her determination could not drown out that loneliness that haunted her.

Chimera didn’t linger on Hattori, he didn’t deserve it and there were other things to discuss, like Manea and her newly formed pack. Chimera finally got a chuckle out of Venom, and she let him release her if he desired. Knowing that Manea had done what she could, and Chimera’s shared opinion about Sparrow.

"I can agree to that, the sooner the better.” She could keep moving on, she could find more support in the packs around her. Manea was already interested in Ashen, their relationship could be built, and they would start during their trip. "If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay.” Venom finished as he asked what her plan was. She would go if his hospitality did not extend that far. All she really needed was a nap and she could be on her way, but part of her wanted to see what her brother built.

"Venom"