She didn’t think they were going to succeed, but after enlisting her younger brother’s aid Venom had come away with quite the prize. She was no healer to make magic out of different ingredients, but she did know someone who would enjoy the sweet semi liquid with her. The thought of getting sticky with the younger boy made her heart thud excitedly in her chest. Venom carried the comb in a skin lined basket.

Venom was completely healed at this point, at least physically. Her ego still stung and instead of a princess she felt a lot like a loser. She couldn’t get that day out of her head, failing spectacularly but waking next to Azure. The thought manifested into a sweet smile through the handle. There was a discernible light skip to her step as she made her way to one of the outlying islands. This place wasn’t often frequented by the rest of the pack, and Venom often came here just to think. She sent the squirrel Poison to fetch her warlord in the making. They wouldn’t beat her there but it would be close.

The Crown Princess had enough time to shake out the plush fur that covered the flat rock in the alcove. It wasn’t a true cave, but there was enough room for some special trinkets, a bowl of fresh water and a big bison pelt. As well as room for the two of them if the clouds on the horizon got more exciting than rain. Evening was coming and soon the sun would begin to set. Venom took in a deep breath and looked out over the horizon, a foreign anticipation built in her belly but the corners of her lips were pulled back with a hint of a smile.

Having the crown princess' squirrel arrive to fetch him was something Azure would never have anticipated, but somehow he was able to swallow the fact that he was being commanded by tiny woodland creatures now. Likely the only reason he did not squash the critter in it's tracks was because it belonged to Venom, though still some part of him felt like the whole pack was watching as he diligently padded along behind the tiny thing. His stomach felt as if it was tied in knots - what could Venom possibly need from him? Had she found out about his newest friend, Hanako? Would this meeting find her in his arms once more? Az didn't like things he couldn't anticipate or prepare for. His teeth worked absently against his gums as he walked, imagining the hundreds of ways an evening with Venom would go. As her scent grew stronger Az's stride lengthened and he overtook the leading giant squirrel. Venom's trail was easy enough for him to follow and he tracked her until the cave was in sight. "We've got to find you a cooler companion, little serpent." He called out as he neared, not bothering to announce his arrival with a traditional greeting. Maybe if he could work hard to sound relaxed his body would take the hint and the pit in his chest would begin to fade. "Azure" "Venom"

Poison was a royal squirrel, not only was he huge the rodent was brightly colored with a body of deep magenta and his tail a flashy orange. Just like a poison dart frog showing off its toxicity, Poison the squirrel advertised his ferocity in his bright colors. That was one reason Venom enjoyed him, the other was that he was a killer in battle. Maybe his diet mostly consisted of nuts and things but the rodent had a taste for blood.

The squirrel made his way into the trees as Azure found the rest of the way to the near beach, though he chattered in offense as the boy spoke of him poorly. Venom turned her gaze towards the spiked boy as he commented on Poison’s allure. She was so caught up in preparing to defend her companion that she almost missed his new nickname for her. Her words caught in her throat for a moment as she calmed a sudden fluster.

”You won’t be saying that when we spar.” She warned him with a grin as he appeared in the clearing. She didn’t have any fighting planned but that didn’t mean she wasn’t up for it either. With a flick of her tongue and her tail Venom returned to the alcove and the basket she’d placed down nearby. ”I’ve got something I wanted to share with you.” Venom told him, offering literally the sweetest thing she had ever done for anyone to him.

Azure's lip upturned in a crooked grin and he turned to offer the tree'd squirrel a short dismissive glance as Venom defended him. "Riiight." He drawled, imagining the thing in battle against him. "Just don't blame me if he comes out of the fight a little.... flatter." The only benefit he could see to the critter would be as a brief, momentary distraction squashed as quickly as he could appear. From above Diablo joined the ribbing, attempting to poke the chattering squirrel in the head with one large bat wing as he flew around it.

His attention was quite easily redirected, his amused smile fading into something more relaxed as Az padded over to the basket she'd laid out. "Oh, what is it?" He questioned, curiosity peaked. The only time he could remember having something gifted to him was the skull from his sister, the one he'd left behind when he turned his back on her. Venom's style of affection was much different, and he found himself craning his neck over top the princess to see what it was she had hiding.

She didn’t mind that he couldn’t be convinced with words, the more he underestimated the pair of them the better. Venom grinned but didn't argue with him, let him think that Poison would even let him touch him. With a little high caffeine tea before they fought… The thought made her grin, and she waved her tail dismissively as they moved on. Poison obviously not a fan of the bat, ”Silence.” The soon to be Empress uttered towards the squirrel while she gave Azure’s bat a side eye.

The boy was easy enough to grab and keep his attention, massive paws brought him closer as he peered over her shoulder at the basket beneath. She lifted herself lightly to remind him of the quills along her back, not near enough pressure to draw blood. ”Don’t you want to know.” She pushed him playfully as she slid the basket away. Maybe now was a good time for a little bout. Venom carefully dipped a claw into the thick liquid before aiming to swipe it over Azure’s nose in jest. Her face lit up into a full grin, an expression that hadn’t lingered on her features in a very long time.

She was playing with him, and Az was not afraid to bleed a little in the name of fun. "I do want to know." He agreed. While he'd forgotten the quills hidden along her fur they were all-too noticeable as she lifted into him. Their tips teased his skin and he leaned further forward, aiming to take the sharp punishment in exchange for his jaws being able to grasp at the back of her neck before she could notice. Sharp sabers missed the kiss of her flesh and as she turned and pushed him he returned to a very casual I-didn't-do-anything stance.

Suddenly her paw came up and on it, a thick substance that she was quick to spread across Az's nose. His jaw dropped and he backpedalled but too slow to avoid her touch. "Ack! Friendly fire!" While the thick slimy stuff was definitely not the most wonderous feeling upon his muzzle, it did smell fantastic. Dropping his ideas of playfully dominating the surprise out of her, his mind was quickly set to removing said substance. His tongue came out and swiped across it once, twice, three times and yet it remained annoyingly intertwined with the short fur of his snout. Thinking quickly, he darted forward to attempt instead to rub his face across her cheek and remove the stickiness that way.

He pressed into her quills, which surprised her the most. Venom could feel the heat of his huge body above her, but as she turned he seemed to forget whatever he’d been attempting. In these close quarters he had the upper hand, but as he struggled with the sudden addition to honey on his nose she maneuvered slightly to give herself more room. He was huge and heavy, and not built for speed like her long limbed form was.

She watched him struggle for a moment before his attention flicked back to her and he made an attempt to return the honey. Venom sidestepped gracefully with a smirk as he barely missed her. ”You’ll have to be quicker than that, Prince Azure.” She told him with mirth playing in her eyes before her forked tongue flicked out, aiming to swipe the rest of the honey from his features. Venom was always so serious, she felt herself relaxing in Azure’s presence. Maybe that was a mistake waiting to be regretted, but she was having fun.

Her sidestep gave him little pause and quickly he was back attempting to follow her motions, determined on splattering her fur too with the sticky tasty gunk. It wasn't until her tongue came out that he stuttered in his movement, the instinct in him momentarily stunned by the forked tongue. Az knew it was a feature Venom had always had, though it wasn't often he saw it up close.

A daring smile split across his muzzle at her words and he took another step towards her, watching Venom closely for her next movement so he could react. "As you wish, Empress." Az's head bowed slightly, hung for a moment, then and as it came upwards he shot forward. Faster this time, he aimed to tackle her into his arms and tow her to the ground along with him.

Sometimes it was a toss up if Venom would receive a reaction from her unique tongue. It depended entirely on the wolf and it was usually someone she hadn’t met before. That Azure took pause made her smirk turn into an amused smile as her eyes narrowed. She had to watch her step, but not in a bad way. Part of her wanted to give in to him, but the chase was too much fun. They stood frozen for a long moment as he spoke, each waiting for the other to make their move. Venom’s bright eyes flashed and Azure made his move.

The soon to be Empress couldn’t get far enough away as Azure’s huge bear arms wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest. She almost quilled him, but she wasn’t quite so upset about being caught. ”Ah!” Venom laughed with a care free smile as the world disappeared and it was only the beach that existed. Just she and him. Venom wriggled against him as she feigned the need to get free while girlish giggles bubbled from her lips.

Her enthusiasm only made him more eager to win their play fight, her girlish giggle reminding him easily to be gentle with the prize he'd won. Az's arms held her tightly, his claws positioned carefully so that should they accidentally be flexed that they'd rake across her quills rather then her flesh. It wasn't long before she began to squirm and without risking spilling her precious blood, Az knew he had few ways to keep her solidly in his embrace.

"You're my best dance partner yet." He complimented teasingly, the prince's body wriggling along with her movements to try and keep her captured. Rather then fight her upright, Az then aimed to tow her down into the sand so she might be on her back below him. It was there that he could get his revenge for her honey-ing and know she would not have the strength to overpower him.

She wasn’t sure that she would have been able to escape his grasp had her effort truly been in releasing herself. Venom wouldn’t give up without a fight, even if they already knew the outcome. Azure’s form moved with hers and though she struggled the young prince had complete control. Being so powerless created a whole different reaction in the princess, her heart beat with excitement as her gut churned with uncomfortable anxiety. Azure called her his best dance partner, and she grinned further with amusement. Dancing was the last way she would have described their struggle.

The more she struggled the more she became trapped,much like a snare the more she moved the tighter his hold until she was trapped against the sand. ”Umph,” the air left her as Azure pinned her, she could barely even wiggle around. Her eyes widened slightly, a surge of panic racing through her as her control was completely overturned. Venom was at Azure’s mercy, a place she hadn’t been brought before. She’d lost fights (and raids), but that feeling was nothing like the sudden capture.

Adrenaline raced through her and her whole body grew hot as she struggled for words. Inwardly she struggled now, the princess’s serious nature didn’t come from nothing. Venom was very near the top of the Empire’s ranks, she was always responsible, training, thinking about her actions and how to make herself better when she reached the top. Here and now she was forced from her place of control as Azure took her in his paws.

Amethyst rose eyes narrowed again as her body relaxed and the fight went out of her. The prince took control by force and his will would be acted out despite her play at protest. ”I don’t know this dance move.” She muttered breathlessly as she caught her breath from the struggle.

Az's grin widened further as she hit the ground beneath him, a small piece of his predatory nature peeking through sharp aqua eyes. His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, though whether it was from the physical exertion or simply the way she made him feel he couldn't quite say. Venom's adrenaline was in the air around him, her body's response to the capture fueling the youth's enjoyment of her poor, sad predicament. Some darker part of him wanted to tell her that - to taste the fear of a pinned animal who was coming to realize they'd lost - though the sadist inside him was not the one in control now.

Az leaned down slowly to her ear, letting his sabers graze gently across her fur as he moved. Drinking in her scent was intoxicating, nearly as powerful as his innate desire for exactly the control he currently had. He let himself breathe her in, his nose tracing along the dark rims of her ear before he replied to her breathless mutter with an equally soft voice. "But do you like it?"

With a relaxed exhale into her fur he realized he'd had more then enough of his type of fun, unwilling to let it continue to where the princess' adrenaline might tip into true fear. He longed to hear her giggle once more, pushing his head back away from her ear and moving instead to her muzzle. There he drew his wet tongue from nose all the way up her white striped forehead, soaking her fur. "Now we're even." He declared with a grin.

Venom knew this was a dangerous place for an Empress to be, in full submission to another’s will. She put her trust in the young prince, put herself in his paws. His eyes flashed as he lowered his head over hers, she sucked in a breath as his saber like fangs brushed over her coat. Her heart beat against her ribcage, she’d never allowed someone this close before. She’d never submitted so much power. The experience was an intense thrill that brought her into an unfamiliar high. Her body seemed weightless even trapped beneath Azure’s hulking frame.

”...do you like it?” The question struck her as odd, like she hadn’t fully grasped the enjoyment. A purr escaped her lips as she nuzzled into his cheek as he held his head next to hers. ”Yes, I do.” Her breathing didn’t come any easier pressed beneath him like she was, his words and motions keeping her alert. Venom’s insides churned with excitement and anxiety, she craved the feeling but toed the line on fear. She didn’t completely understand the feeling and emotions that built while there was no more space between them. Realizing there was no choice but to submit.

This time all she would receive was a drool covered face. The tension released as Azure pulled away slightly and spoke his triumph. ”Gross! Azure!” The serious nature of the moments before evaporated as his saliva melted into her fur and coated her skin. Her struggle was reignited anew as she struggled to regain her freedom to wipe the spit off her face. ”Release me, you vial traitor!” The game began aagain with her teasing words as she worked her shoulders free of his embrace.

Venom's wriggling began once more, her venomous words bringing a laugh from him as he held her there to him. He allowed himself to look stunned, lifting one paw to his chest as an offended wolf might and dropping his jaw for her benefit. "Me? Traitorous? Never, Empress." A sharp pang cut suddenly at his heart and his smile faultered, though he replaced it as quickly as he could. To Venom he promised loyalty, to Hana he promised freedom. Could he give to each woman what he'd vowed? Az hated feeling like a liar.

The stress was weighing on him hard and his smile became apologetic as he stepped off the princess, allowing her her freedom and ending the game. In the sand he sat looking dejected and thoughtful and feeling his young age clearly. "Venom, what will you do with the armada you've won once you wear your crown?" He asked suddenly, a frown touching his lips. Would she blame him for being protective over the wolves he hoped to one day call his? Without having discussed it before, Az had no idea where the soon-to-be-empress planned to take Ashen's Empire.

His amusement played into her words as he feigned offense at her teasing. She laughed along with him, but felt the mood shift after he spoke. Venom quieted as his expression changed and he stood up with no more efforts to their amusement. She remained in the sand as he looked away from her and frowned at the ocean. Venom pulled her paws to her chest, dark ears perked as he spoke again. Something clearly bothering him. Had she said something wrong? They’d been having so much fun the moment before.

His words came out, and Venom wondered what had prompted them. ”Where did this come from?” She returned as she lifted herself to her own dainty paws. She aimed to close the distance between them so she might lean against his strong shoulder. ”We’re going to rule Boreas together.” She told him in a soft voice but her confidence in the statement shone through. In every rendition of her future she saw in her mind’s eye Azure was there beside her in every one. Recently some of them were more than just a Warlord. He heart beat fast at the thought of him above her, taking the title of Emperor of her.

He tried to ignore her question and focus instead upon her answer, feeling the weight of her lean upon his shoulder and sighing heavily. It sounded like everything Az had ever wanted, to rule Boreas alongside a powerful and capable partner. Never did it really occur to him that said partner might be a woman, nor that the relationship might ever be anything more then a business one. Setting his sights upon the crown had been an easy way to ignore such details.

"My father and your mother, they don't exactly rule together." He reminded her gently, moving to place his gloved paw atop her own. "Will that how we will be? And what of your subjects, how are they to think of me?" Sharp teeth worked absently against his lip as he worried further, the taste of metalic blood a familiar and comforting one.

As much as he wanted to keep asking her vague and confused questions, he knew he'd not get any sort of certainty from her answers as long as she struggled to understand. Az gave her a lingering glance before continuing. "Your brother, he offended one of my wolves. They came to me in tears, knowing that I'd sworn to protect them both physically and emotionally and there was nothing I could do. Nothing my father could do either - the Kleins are above us all." The memory caused his teeth to bear, a small growl rumbling in his throat just for Chimera. "Will it be like that forever? Will I need to bow before your brother, your sisters, your aunts and uncles all so that I may rule at your paws? I don't know if I'm capable, little serpent."

Something was bothering him. Really really bothering him all of a sudden. Venom felt caught off guard, but something in her wanted so badly to soothe his worries. She leaned more heavily against him as he moved a paw to cover hers, holding it as lightly as he’d held her earlier. Azure reminded her that Deathbelle and Sirius did not rule together, but perhaps that was the wrong choice to begin with. ”It doesn’t have to be, we’re different from them we don’t have…” What will your subjects think of me?” He asked as she tried to stutter out a quick answer. That wasn’t what he needed though and she grew silent as his blue fire eyes lingered upon her.

”Your brother…” She deflated quickly as she was reminded of the moment he spoke about. Hanako was his wolf and she had come running to him crying. Had Azure finally broken through and found that empathy that he’d been missing for so long? Had Hana been the one to do that for him? At the same moment she lost respect for Hana and grew more suspicious of Azure. She wouldn’t condone Chimera’s words, but that was all they were. He was a little punk, and Sirius certainly had power over him. Perhaps they all just experienced a misunderstanding, but her mind was firmly decided that Hana was part of the problem. She had run to Azure crying over the boy’s words?

”Your wolf is weak.” She accused softly, ”Chimera is a spoiled brat, and I’m sure by this point he is not to be trusted.” That wasn’t the issue though, the issue was the power struggle. She wanted to berate Hanako further, to convince him that she wasn’t even worth Az’s attention if she couldn’t take a few insults. She sighed softly and moved away from him, her world spinning lightly as the world came crashing in on her. It was sneaking in and destroying her sanctuary.

”The Klein name isn’t worth much.” She admitted as she moved back to the furs she had laid out and made herself comfortable as she could with her heart so heavy. This was a serious moment, and every word mattered. Was she about to lose the young prince? One of the few wolves she thought she could trust? Could she trust anyone?

”Almost no one came to help during Winterfell’s raid. They’re worthless. You shouldn’t ever have to bow before my family because of their name.” Rose and lilac eyes returned to his handsome features, she yearned to work through these difficult problems, ”I want to rule with you. Not above you.” She confessed softly, her visions of the future suddenly tumultuous. ”I want an Emperor, not a Warlord.”

Her lack of confidence in responding was enough to help Azure find some small part of his own - had she not thought about these details? Was she able to be swayed? Perhaps she was seeing reason. Though her stuttering quickly moved into something more, and he felt her discomfort grow. He was doing it wrong, betraying her trust as he'd worried he would. Az wanted nothing more then to reassure her and to explain that their dreams had not changed, that he was simply being thorough in asking of their future... though that too would be a lie.

Venom's words then addressed Hanako and she moved away from him. The reaction was immediate, his muzzle wrinkling into the beginnings of a snarl. He followed her, rounding on Venom so she was forced to face him from the hide she lay upon. As Az was quite a bit taller then her, he was forced to lean in to address her face to face. "Careful, Empress." He warned, trying desperately to keep the possessive bite from his words. "I am not my brother, I do not keep company with weak wolves." It was an evasion, a way for the bold and prideful youth to explain his offense at her words without putting Hanako at risk even more then he already had. It was incredibly hard for him to not elaborate and defend her further, though he knew that would just prove to Venom that his loyalties were split. Fuck. Az turned from her, beginning to pace absently across the sand.

She was making this very, very difficult for him. Az was not sure where the feelings were coming from anymore; was it was hatred for her Klein family who failed in their jobs to protect the Empire? Shame for the Armada who had not yet moved to punish Winterfell for their transgression? Likeliest of all it may have just been obsessive anger bubbling up still from the insult to Hana, which was the one argument he could not have with Venom right now.

Az was still considering his response, looking for the right words to put the discussion back on track in a way that he could control himself properly. She'd already assured him he wouldn't need to bow to her family, that was enough. That meant if Chimera got out of line again he could do something about it, and it was enough he hoped to reassure his Hanako that she'd be safe from harm. Then Venom continued, and Azure felt everything else fall away as she dangled above him not just a crown but an Empire. His paws froze in their pacing, one gloved paw hanging in the air. The boy blinked hard, feeling his youth suddenly in the threat of tears in his eyes. "You'd share your Empire with me?" He asked, breathless as he turned back towards her. "But, but, why?" Dark brows furrowed in confusion. His father still didn't think he deserved a crown, and here was the soon-to-be Empress offering the potential one day to sit by her side upon a throne much, much greater.

He was quick to find her gaze in retort to her assumption of Hanako, though Venom had no evidence beyond her own experience she did not dismiss her first impression. Azure could try to convince her, and his general avoidance was enough to placate the both of them for now. Hana would have to prove herself if Venom was going to believe Azure’s claim. Perhaps she was wrong, but she doubted it. Her brows raised in question, but she didn’t want him to elaborate. His own frustration was palpable as he turned away. ”I wouldn’t lie to you, Prince Azure.” She whispered softly, not asking for a fight but to reassert her belief, and her opinion of the wolf in question. She didn’t matter though, and they had much bigger matters to attend.

She didn’t stop speaking and as the words fell she stopped him on a dime. Azure froze and for a moment time halted. Venom wasn’t sure about many things, and he’d given her plenty of reason to doubt him and yet here she was confessing this to him. He was young, but so was she and the number of wolves she could truly trust could be counted on a single paw. Her own brother and sisters had abandoned her. This would be an Empire for the Klein name no more, merit and strength would rule here.

The young prince turned around towards her and returned his surprised reply, like he hadn’t considered what heights were truly at his disposal. She’d felt his power when he’d pinned her in the sand, she’d seen men come and go in her mother’s life. Venom didn’t want that. ”I don’t want to be my mother.” She confessed softly, taking her turn in averting her gaze from his features. ”If you’re to be my strength and shield,” Venom spoke softly, shyly returning her rose lavender gaze to his features. ”I want you as my equal.” He wasn’t as near to his full maturity as she was and already he easily overpowered her. His strength was obvious but it was his loyalty she really wanted.

”There aren’t very many wolves I trust, Azure.” Venom made another deep confession to him. He was young, but he held so much potential. In the last season he had changed so much, and she could only argue for the better. ”You're one I'd want to raise an Empire with.” She aimed to find his features with her gaze once more. He was strength, protection, and he possessed a hardness that Venom couldn’t quite reach. She wanted Azure as her rock and foundation, though she hadn’t realized it fully until now. "My missing piece." The cornerstone to her future.

It was hard to keep his gaze upon hers as Venom divulged to him such precious information, and each time her eyes left his face Az found himself wanting to run away. His thoughts for the moment were not on the brightly marked wolf Hanako but on his future, the one he'd trained for all his life. For as long as he could remember the crown was his motivation and his passion had lie in whatever avenue would simply bring him the most power. Venom now was talking softer, her words hitting him with deeper meaning that somehow managed to frighten him.

The boy swallowed, leaning downwards to press his forehead to hers. Words eluded him - would it be too much to ask her if he could still sit beside her in this dream and not as hers? What even was a crush, or love, or lust? These questions Az could not answer, but he thought that perhaps in this moment Venom could. "I - I want that too." He admitted carefully, wanting to say more but unable to. The 'but' hang in the air between them. How did you tell someone you needed more time when they were practically bearing their soul to you? Fuck, fuck, fuck. He suddenly wanted to bite something, though the only thing within range was the one thing too precious to maim.