The largely unpleasant heat of the summer was something Spirit had grown accustomed to, but he was glad when a stray storm passing through cooled the lands off slightly. Though the heat threatened to return, the air now thick and humid, the sun was thankfully setting and would keep the high temperatures at bay for now. Spirit's mood was unusually bright as he wandered around the edge of Wolfpaw Lake, noting how waterlogged the shores were now after the quick bout of torrential rain. Somewhere nearby Strawberry was huddled beneath some vegetation, not quite a fan of the rain in the same way Spirit was. Every so often she gave off a little chirp that reminded him of her presence - not that he could ever forget her. Besides his family, Strawberry had been his most constant companion. She'd been with him through the hardest moments of his life, unconditionally. Even thinking of some of the harder things he'd gone through, he was comforted by remembering she'd been there, easily his closest and most loyal friend. He was infinitely thankful for her, and as he began to watch the sun sink below the horizon he was reminded of how lucky he was to have found her. Though he still largely felt strange here in Ashen - like he didn't quite belong, but truthfully he always felt like that - at least he had her.

The Empress eventually returned to Ashen after taking the time to visit her allies in other packs and give them warning of their invitation to the coming celebration. Even before she had announced it all to the pack, however it was likely the rumor was already quite well known about the Ashen heir. Venom could hardly believe how quickly her life had gone by, and her eldest were now getting married and giving her grandchildren. It all felt somewhat surreal but she wouldn’t have traded the experiences for anything.

A summer storm had worked to cool the lands, but had brought a humidity that had her feeling almost as if she were breathing water. At least the summer heat was subdued. White gloved paws carried her through the dampened grass as evening settled over Ashen, her most active time of the day. Somehow she was without child or fiance after her long trip as she started a patrol. She hadn’t gotten too far before her sunset gaze found Spirit recovering from the downfall. "Did you two make it through the storm alright?” She asked as she veered closer to where he was with his little bird.

"Venom"

The on-goings in Ashen weren't something he really knew much about, though the fault was entirely his own. Spirit had always been reclusive to a fault, stuck inside his own head - he was more likely to be found daydreaming than planted firmly in reality. Maybe it was to his own detriment but it was a coping mechanism he'd developed at a young age, and it'd kept him going this long. He was lost in his thoughts when Venom approached. Part of him heard her before he processed her arrival, but still he flinched slightly when she spoke. The reaction was typical though and not at all indicative of his mood. A polite smile touched his lips as he slowed and faced her properly. "Y-yes, no problems," he answered quickly. If anything he was glad for a reprieve from the heat that the rain would bring, even if the air felt a little soupy in the meantime. "S-should help with plant growth, anyway," he added conversationally. Relating to others and engaging in small talk was difficult for him, but he didn't want anyone to think he wasn't willing to try. "D-do you like summer storms, miss?"

Venom wasn’t so ignorant that she hadn’t seen how much Spirit had not integrated into the pack. She could have blamed herself for that fact, but he was a shy man that kept to himself and that had no doubt much to do with it. Even when she met him, Spirit felt like a lost soul, and despite her being the Empress, she didn’t really know how to help him. No matter what though, he was welcome to make whatever kind of home he wanted here in the safety of Ashen’s borders.

She didn’t take his reactive flinch personally as she approached, though she didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable around her; she knew that was likely the reaction he had to every wolf who came upon him. She did give him a sweet smile as he assured her that he had indeed weathered the storm with no problem. "Good,” she returned with a little nod of her head.

"Indeed, we certainly needed a good rain.” There were quite a few healers in Ashen now and she had heard the little complaints about their gardens struggling to grow. He was doing his best to engage in small talk, and she silently commended him for it. "I do, though I could go without the humidity.” She chuckled softly. "I’ve always found watching and hearing the thunder and lightning to be a mystical experience. Such a force of nature helps to keep me humble.” Venom gave him a little glimpse into her thoughts. "What about you, Spirit?”

"Venom"

Truly there was no one to blame but himself for his introversion - his past traumas and his own personality were the only things to account for the way he was. But instead of viewing it as a curse, Spirit simply took things for what they were. This was who he was, no matter how hard he tried to push outside of his comfort zone, he knew he'd never been a bubbly, friendly wolf, and he'd long since come to terms with that fact. He just hoped he was doing enough to earn his place here; that worry was likely enough to make him just a touch more nervous than he'd normally be around Venom. The humidity wasn't something he was entirely unused to, but he understood it was unpleasant for some. For some time he'd lived on the eastern coast, where summer storms were plentiful. "S-same. I've always loved storms," he agreed carefully. His finch friend Strawberry had an entirely different opinion on the matter, and he swore he heard her chirp defiantly not far away from them. "M-mostly the lightning. It's so pretty." And he'd always had an affinity for pretty things, especially things that seemed otherworldly and beyond his comprehension - and it seemed Venom could relate to that sentiment.

Venom did what she could to welcome the man into Ashen and to become a part of its culture, but the Destruction might never truly make his place here. He was not born into the royal family or the royal pack and she had no doubt the difference in lifestyle was far different. She hoped that he could at least be content here, if not finding happiness someday. She had seen his efforts in doing his work, and as far as she was concerned he had earned his place, even if he wasn’t the most social within Ashen’s borders.

The Empress had lived in the more southern part of the continent her whole life, she had to deal with humidity for her whole life. While she didn’t enjoy it, it certainly wasn’t going to get in her way. She still felt valid in complaining about it.

Venom’s sunset eyes gazed up at the sky, keeping her sharp eyes off of Spirit in hopes he would be more comfortable with her. He answered her with a slight stutter this time, mirroring her answer in enjoying a good storm. As long as it wasn’t incredibly dangerous, and they usually weren’t with most of the pack living in caves, they were very enjoyable. No matter where you were in the world though, it seemed that a good storm could be gifted. At least there was one thing that the two of them could share in common.

"Beautiful, yes.” She answered simply, watching as some of the last bits of rain fell from the leaves of the trees around them. "And formidable. Have you ever seen a tree struck by lightning?” She asked with a tilt of her head as she chanced a glance at the man.

"Venom"

He seemed to benefit from her attention being less directed, eventually relaxing enough to sink down onto his haunches as they spoke. Of all the things in the world he was afraid of - and there were plenty - the weather was not something he really feared. Even when it was threatening it was never directed, never intentional, and that was enough for him to feel at ease with it. "I-I haven't," he answered her question. "H-have you?" Spirit's blue eyes widened with interest, curiosity flooding his features. He could imagine that such a thing would be quite the sight to see, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by the prospect.

She wasn’t sure that Spirit would ever be completely comfortable in her presence, that was just who he was. Venom would take the victory when he relaxed back onto his haunches as they exchanged a bit of small talk. This certainly was not the most important conversation either of them had ever had, but it was enjoyable and she was creating the foundation of a bond between alpha and pack member.

Venom glanced at him for a brief moment as he perked with interest at her question. Making sure not to keep her sunset eyes upon him for very long. He was fragile and delicate, which did incite a motherly feeling within her. Despite their closeness in age.

"I’ve seen the aftermath.” She began. "When a tree is struck, especially while it has green leaves on it, the energy of the lightning instantly boils and practically vaporizes the sap underneath the bark. This causes the bark to separate and explode off the side of the tree. It's a terrible reminder of the power of lightning.”

"Venom"

Spirit was infinitely grateful that Venom even gave him the time of day, even if he wasn't entirely comfortable while they sat and talked. That was just his nature - always a little on-edge, always a little uncomfortable. He always just feared someone taking it personally but it was obvious he was just a skittish man, and Ashen's leader didn't seem to fault him for it. It certainly helped calm his nerves tremendously. "T-that sounds lovely. M-maybe a little sad, but beautiful too," he suggested lightly, as much a question as a statement, wondering if she believed the same to be true. He was sure Strawberry had seen such a thing before, with how much time she spent up in the trees.

While they may not have been blood related, Spirit was indeed her relative. Even if he had not been she would not have been hesitant to spend time with him like this. She wanted him to feel at home in his home, but he might not have been the kind of wolf that would truly find peace here. Venom could wish that for Spirit all she wanted, but that didn’t mean her wish would ever happen.

In the time they spoke the skittish man had visibly calmed down, and her efforts were obviously being rewarded. He still spoke with his stutter, but that was likely something that would never leave him. He spoke of the sight that she had seen, and Venom couldn’t argue. The sight was beautiful, sad, and frightening at the same time.

"Yes, the sight is indeed. Sad to lose such an old tree, but wondrous to see the natural power of nature take it.” Her sunset gaze had long left Spirit’s form as she thought back to the sight of the destroyed tree. Forever would she be aware of the staggering power of lightning.

"Venom"