ladies, please

Kuroki greeted her with compliments instead of getting to the point, part of her appreciated the superfluous compliment. She needed encouragements no matter how empty, and she knew her son was softening the real reason he asked for her presence here. ”No, Kuroki, but thank you.” She didn’t completely predict the next words he spoke, but she wasn’t incredibly confident in his reasons for bringing them home into Ashen. Her trust had been broken more severely than she had ever experienced before, and that shook her outlook on the whole world. Were there ulterior motives here? Why would two young women suddenly decide they wished to reside in her pack on only the word of Kuroki to go by?

Ashen was not known for its charity or open borders, not all were welcome or could prove their worthiness to serve the Empire’s heart. Both she wolves seem to realize this at a more basic level as both spoke their own peace. First Celeste, the one who had lost the glory of her fur coat. She picked up a familiar accent and fought against the bias that flared. The girl didn’t have anything to do with her estranged husband. Venom considered her for a moment before attentions shifted to the second girl, Cyanide, who very nearly mirrored Kuroki in mannerisms.

”Very well,” Venom relented, withdrawing her gaze from both young women and returning her gaze to Kuroki. ”Show them around, tell them our laws.” She continued, giving the young man the responsibility. If they proved to be productive pack members he would be given the praise, just as the reprimand if they proved a disappointment. Her gaze softened as her attention flicked to the girls at his side. ”Ladies, welcome to Ashen. Celeste, you’ll be given the scout rank, and Cyanide you will occupy the Genin rank. I’ll expect Kuroki to help in your training.” She gave her son another look. ”Do you need anything else?”