what is next

Leaving Ikigai in Elysium had been the moment for her, the realization that her children were grown and taking their own paths. That their family was evolving and she would have to let her baby birds fly. She knew Iki would be taken care of to Manea’s best ability so she tried not to worry her mind, but it would be a long time until her heart was healed. Venom put the circumstance from her mind, what was done was done, and the whole of the Empire would be stronger for her and more importantly her daughter’s sacrifice.

Venom began to pour the tea right as the akita brought the Daimyo into the great hall. Sunset gaze lifted as he approached and didn’t hesitate to lower himself at her side. Venom gave Plague a small grin as he made himself comfortable. ”Plague,” she greeted him warmly but he already knew something was up as he questioned her as he settled in. Venom gently slid the bowl of tea intended for him towards his paws as she dwelled a moment longer on how she wished to say all she had to say.

”Have you been properly introduced to Maverick yet?” She suspected the answer, with her keeping the man ‘occupied’ within the royal chambers there had been little time for a meet and greet yet. ”And I assume you were able to say your farewells to Ikigai.” Her expression grew a bit sad, but she tried to hide it. Whatever the answers to her questions turned out to be, there was the pressing matter at hand. ”With your children graduating to apprentices it's becoming time to welcome new pups into Ashen again.” She really could have made these decisions herself, but she wanted her brother and closest confidant to talk through everything with. ”I’m just not entirely convinced who should bear them.”