Venom grasped for anything that would give her a sense of normalcy. Everything was falling apart, but there were still moments of life reminiscent of the days before the curse. A horrific but needed moment of what should have been, instead of the nightmare they were living. The Empress tried to ignore her illness, and that of her children. She tried to ignore the fact that they might all die. Her mind needed the reprieve.

So as not to cause much suffering, Venom summoned her children to the palace. Her heart ached that Hattori was sequestered on the dark island and not here with his family where he belonged. She took a deep breath as set up the coming of age gifts she had for her children.

For her eldest a set of golden engraved cuffs to decorate his royal paws. Next to that for Takeshi lay a beautiful piece of armor designed solely for him. For her eldest daughter were a pair of delicate gloves for her unique paws. Kitsune’s gift was most similar to Take’s, a glorious piece of armor to adorn herself. Then for the youngest of them, an elegant pair of bracers, decorated with the brilliant scales of a koi. Making her daughter the true dragon that she was.

Venom hoped to bring joy through the sadness, and to remind the pups… yearlings… of their importance even through everything that was going on and they were forced to endure.

Kitsune had had a run of rather bad luck of late. But she awoke to a glimmer of hope, with the mushrooms in her ears starting to recede, and some of the flu-like symptoms easing. She took in a gulp of fresh air, and sighed softly. Perhaps whatever the mushroom had done to her was fading?

Her mother letting out a summoning howl caught her attention. She perked her head up, and had a sudden burning desire to see her family and how they were fairing. She got to her paws, and trotted the short distance to the castle. Perhaps her better health and short distance was in her favour. For once, Kit was first to a meeting.

She bowed her head to her mother, the Empress. Lowering her head, before raising it again and grinning at Venom. “Hey mum” she said, and jumped forward to kiss the older woman on whatever ooze-free spot she could find.


"Kitsune"

Now even Mum was sick too. Undeniably, a bit of a mummas-boy, Kuroki couldn't say he was pleased to hear the news, let alone see her all oozy and tired as he padded his way onto the scene after heading her call. The silver lining was that she didn't look as bad as she could, the sickness hadn't had time to settle in deep and with any luck it wouldn't but- sheesh. Was no wolf off limits? How come he'd managed to escape completely unscathed so far?

Stepping in close, he wagged his tail in a casual greeting, only to falter at the last minute. Instead of settling close by his family, like he felt the tug to in his chest he paced back and forth. Expression pinched, in a pretty good Hattori mock up.

"You sure this a good idea Mum? You should be resting." And then he took a proper moment to look at Kit and-oh wow, she had it bad too huh? All mushroomy and gross, like she was something rotten you'd find in the forest. "And you Kit. Look at you.What's happening to us?" He asked, though he doubted anyone knew the answer.