songbirds & snakes

Aurelia took a moment to absorb Sephiran's response, the weight of his expectations settling on her shoulders. As he nudged her shoulder, a silent command to proceed, she gracefully moved forward, her sapphire eyes scanning the surroundings for signs of movement among the boulders. The hissing was more distinct now, a cacophony of serpentine voices echoing within the rocky enclave.

Her sharp senses guided her to a narrow crevice, and with slow, cat-like movements, she inched closer, careful not to disturb the serpents within. The cacophony of hisses and slithering sounds filled the air, making her skin crawl. Aurelia hunched down low, her body becoming one with the thick blades of grass as she observed the elegant yet deadly dance of the snakes. Her eyes locked onto a rattlesnake, its warning tail poised and ready to strike at any moment. But Aurelia was not afraid. In fact, an idea began to take shape in the back of her mind.

Aurelia's gaze swept over the vast plains, her mind set on finding suitable offering for her quest. Her sharp eyes sharpened and honed in on a group of field mice, frolicking carelessly in the tall grasses. Like a graceful predator, she stalked closer, every step calculated and silent. With lightning speed, she pounced on one of the unsuspecting rodents, her jaws closing with a swift snap that echoed through the open landscape. In her grasp was a fresh catch, secured for her journey ahead.

She turned to Sephiran upon returning, addressing the intricacies of venom collection, "Venom loses potency when exposed to open air. The fresher, the better. So, ideally, we want to minimize the time between extraction and containment, and then to use." Her words were measured, a blend of practicality and wisdom. Aurelia continued her explanation, her focus on the task ahead, "You see, the snake doesn't necessarily have to die for its venom to be collected. In fact, you can domesticate them to an extent, making them a renewable source."

"If we can befriend some of these into companions, we can collect its venom without killing it. The key is building trust and ensuring a symbiotic relationship. It's a delicate process, but I think the benefits are worth the effort for what you are wanting." Aurelia looked around, scanning around the boulders for signs of a serpent's presence. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a subtle movement in the nearby grass. She gestured toward it, "Let's start with that one." She approached cautiously, her movements calculated to avoid startling the snake. With the field mouse in her jaws, she crouched down, offering the creature as a gesture of goodwill. At first glance, it appeared to be black and white- but the longer she looked at it, it seemed that some of its scales glittered dark blue in the sunlight. The process of gaining the snake's trust had begun, and she hoped it would prove successful for their unconventional venture.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"