Into the Sunset

Venom was trying to take the advice of Plague and very nearly everyone else she had spoken to since Hattori left her. Take some time for yourself, relax, recover… It all seemed useless when her mind swirled with thoughts of him whenever she was given a quiet moment. For having hit her so hard Tori didn’t deserve all of the headspace she was giving him, but the man had become a part of her. Venom had given him a half of her very soul, and now that he was gone part of her would forever be missing. It hurt, and that pain laced its way thoroughly through her life. The Empress tried in vain to hide it.

Today was difficult, the emotions came and went depending on the day and the hour. White gloved paws carried her out of the white trees of the shrine as the sun began to head towards the horizon. She could come and go as she pleased with Plague looking over the bigger decisions right now. Venom didn’t want to admit her weakness and inability to throw herself completely at her work in the Empire, but it was still there even if she would deny it. She was wounded even if the damage couldn’t be seen from the outside.

Her thin frame weaved through the trees surrounding the falls as the sun began to lower and begin the color show of sunset. Venom would have once stopped to appreciate the beauty, but everything looked so dull now. She kept her wits about her, despite the distractions she was aware of her surroundings. The smell of fire and searing meats caught her attention much easier than the sunset.

Wolves were the only creatures here that thought to cook their meals, and Venom’s paws moved towards the scent instead of away as her mind would have taken her. Her monochrome form emerged from the forest into the grassy meadow that led up to the falls. Her sunset gaze was easily brought to the light of fire and the unfamiliar man working over those flames. When her eyes fell on him she realized she hadn’t thought through her actions very well. Caught between personal desire and politeness. She wanted to turn and go, but the proper lady within coaxed her forward to at least offer a greeting after being spotted.

Venom went to speak but her voice cracked, and after clearing her throat she tried a second time. ”Good evening,” she managed. Venom didn’t expect an invitation, and her demeanor said very clearly she would be on her way after a short polite exchange.