Crime and Punishment

The procession was waiting for her and after her children gracefully accepted her affection her attention turned to Toxicity and her swiftness to begin their meeting. Neither Take or Kit had attended the second and third sermons. Perhaps it was her own fault, not appearing in person to give a good example, and not voicing her desire for them to attend. Venom listened to the options Toxicity offered to her, none of them really eliciting any emotion within her. Venom felt herself grow uncomfortable with the fact that Toxicity thought that she could give Venom an ultimatum.

Venom was the Matriarch of their family, the Empress that ruled over the Ashen Empire, and the last word to be spoken. To have the audacity to believe that she could be coerced into some kind of decision or action was false at best. She could clearly see the distress these options weighed on her children, and finally she would reveal some of the emotion within, her expression neutral to this point. She also found it odd that the most logical of solutions was presented lastly by her sister, as though it was the least preferential. Toxicity wanted to see them unnamed.

The Empress was silent for a long moment as she contemplated the options presented and her next move. Venom wasn’t intimidated, and wouldn’t be controlled by her underling. ”Do any of these options appeal to you, children?” She asked but didn’t wait for an answer, their reaction was plenty. ”I am no subject of yours to be commanded.” Venom declared as her sunset gaze returned to Toxicity. Any power she had came from Venom, and Venom could take it as easily as she gave it to her.

Her gaze hardened slightly, this was not the first time that Toxicity had asserted her will and Venom had not been satisfied with the results. Venom put her in charge of the spiritual aspect of their family and culture because she wanted to be guided by her sister. Not as her final authority in anything. ”I am the one who gives options and ultimatums, I am the Empress and the head of this family. As you seem to have forgotten.” Venom centered herself, trying not to picture Ikigai crying to her after her sermons. Her heart rate never increased, but her gaze slowly darkened.

”While I appreciate your recommendations, I won’t be acting on them.” Venom concluded as she lifted herself to her paws. As far as the Empress was concerned this meeting was over. Toxicity could drop it, or there would be more than words exchanged and Venom would not be caught unawares.