Ssssssymbiotic Relationsshipssss

Though he’d never admit it to anyone, especially not Aurelia, Sephiran had been relentlessly trying to capture a live, venomous snake. Hell, he’d even made traps to enslave them- but somehow, they always slithered out of it, or burrowed their way through the bottom. He’d had a few close calls as well; was bitten a few times, by serpents with mild venom. The fading rash on his forelimb was a testament to his attempts- growls rumbling from him as he lathered on a salve he crafted to relieve some of the swelling.

He usually wasn’t holed up in his den at this time of day. But, he was tending to the recent bite, before going back out to try again. Its not that he saw his attempts as failures- his grandiosity forbade the concept. No, he simply hadn’t found the right viper yet, which was why he kept having to go out and search. Still, it was rather irritating- his volatile mood, was already shifted towards the sour end of the spectrum, when Aurelia approached his den.

He heard her footfall before she entered- smelt her perfume dancing in the breeze, aromatic and inebriating. An ear flicked in her direction, but he didn’t cast his glaze towards her. Instead, he finished applying the last of the salve, keeping her in his peripheral vision as she sauntered towards him. I have someone for you to meet. His ear flicked again, brows furrowing slightly. I found another volunteer… he’s quite capable… valuable addition… Catching the important parts of her statement, he finally looked up from his leg. Shifting his gaze towards her face first, before trailing up to the ebony and gold serpent coiled up on her shoulder.

He didn’t move as she came over to him- shifting her shoulders, pressing hers against his, so the viper could slither across. The sensation made his pelt bristle a bit, lips twitching, as he stared at Aurelia. Honestly, he was… surprised. She had never brought him a gift before- let alone something he’d been wanting. But why wouldn’t she? He was her god after all- whether she admitted to it, or not. Allowing it to slither around his shoulders, inspecting him with little darts of its forked tongue. Sephiran huffed and ignored it for the most part- like he did his falcon, unless he wanted something. For these creatures were nothing more than tools.

He wasn’t going to thank her, or praise her. Instead, he would refrain from tormenting her, for the sake of building the band’s venom supply. “He will suffice- if he can produce enough venom to coat my blade.” He said, taking a seat near the supplies she brought. He’d noticed the rattler on the end of the vipers tail- meaning, the serpent's venom packed a mean punch. She'd done well to bring him this specific snake, and he couldn't help but wonder if she'd picked it purposely.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"