if the shoe fits

As far as progress went this conversation with Celeste was productive, she now had her Renja and some weight lifted off her shoulders. She was eager to see how well the young woman would come into her position. More than that though Venom saw the responsibilities of Ashen truly begin to shift towards the next generation. She was not an old she wolf, there were many more years for her to rule. The Empress wasn’t blind to the youth climbing the ranks around her though. She wouldn’t be ready to relinquish the throne for a long time, which gave her young crown princess time to fully develop.

Perhaps Hattori’s missing presence had something to do with her daughter taking so long to come into her own. Their father abandoning them had affected each child in different ways. None of them but Ikigai had spoken to her on the topic, and perhaps that was part of it. She couldn’t and wouldn’t blame Hattori for every grievance within Ashen, that wasn’t fair to him or the wolves of the pack, but his actions did leave lasting effects.

Celeste halted, and Venom’s features shifted towards the newly appointed Renja as she spoke quietly. She had no knowledge of Hattori or his presence here. It was hard for Venom to remember that the woman had arrived so recently in the scheme of things. The Empress averted her gaze and gave a stress relieving sigh. Hattori was still a sore subject despite the time and everything that happened her chest remained tight with his memory.

"After the Long Night Hattori made the decision to leave us.” Venom started simply enough. "Even before that though he and Kuroki were always at odds. I would have assumed his father’s departure would be a relief but…” Celeste’s words disrupted those thoughts.

"Venom"