The Empress felt excitement brewing in her chest as the news of the feast had reached Ashen. She couldn’t really explain it, there were no words to describe the otherworldly feeling she was given at the news. Venom sought out Maverick’s help, she had an idea about what they should bring but wasn’t certain yet. Their larders were overfilled, so she had the hunch to bring extra food for a fest. Different kinds with different preparations, packaged and preserved with care. The sight was in her mind’s eye, but it would take quite a bit of effort to get there. The only one she wanted to help her was Maverick. He was there for her whenever she needed, and she knew he wouldn’t let her down now.

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick had seen the changes happening around Boreas. He'd seen how segments of the continent had changed from sweltering summer to cooler autumn as if they had been plucked straight from a different timeline. It was bizarre, but not quite unnerving... yet. After his encounter with those strange fireflies down in Auster, he was being more observant of his surroundings and the changes within them every day. He hadn't told Venom about his impromptu trip to Auster, but something told him she was likely feeling the same sort of way without him needing to say a word.

His Empress had asked him to lend a paw in their offerings to the feast of the strange effigies that had appeared around the lands. Though he wasn't the most religious of wolves and didn't know how far his belief into the supernatural went, he could not explain away the strange goings on happening around him, and Venom seemed quite taken by it all, so he would do his part and participate. He sought her out, finding her by one of the pack's many larders, and approached her silently from behind, moving on the pads of his toes to slink up behind her and place a cheeky nip to her hip before sidling up beside her and grazing her cheek with an affectionate lick. "You summoned me, Your Grace?" he spoke in teasing humor, putting on his most haughty voice as he spoke like an overly dramatized highborn lord.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom had seen her fair share of strangeness in the world. From the volcano eruption that disturbed her earliest memories, to the long night that had torn her marriages apart. What was real sometimes blurred into the surreal and supernatural. She had visited the afterlife, meeting her father there in a forced dream, she knew there was more than what the eye could show and the ears could hear. Venom knew that her lover wasn’t quite so keen on the magic that fell over the world, but he wouldn’t say no to her either.

She strolled up to the cellar like storage that held a decent amount of food. More than enough to help bolster a feast. Her silver tipped ear swiveled back to catch the subtle sound of pawsteps behind her. Before she could react, she felt the nip of his teeth against her hip and she caught Maverick from her corner of her eye as a smirk took her features.

"I did.” She replied after he puffed himself up and put on his best impression while he teased her. "I want to help provide for the feast, with our larders nearly overflowing I think we can afford to be generous.”

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom took such great pride and joy in the bounties of Ashen, it came as no surprise to the navy and white brute that his lover wished to share the Empire's surpluses for the feasts. As she turned her sly smirk he'd become intimately familiar with over their time together, she explained her intentions, and Maverick gave a nod of understanding. "Sounds like a plan then," he responded, stepping up to the entrance of the cellars and pulling open the doors, revealing the crude staircases that stepped down into the dry and dark storage. Maverick led the way down into the larders, the scent of fresh and salted meats hitting his sharp sense of smell first, followed by the fragrances of fruits and other edibles the pack had gathered.

Reaching the bottom, the prince consort waited a moment for his vision to adjust to the low light filtering in from behind them before moving to peruse the shelves and hoards of provisions, preserved and fresh. His teal eyes moved over bushels of fruits, stacks of dried and cured meats and fishes, and bottles of alcohol—wine from the Hallows, the remaining sake from Venom's ex-husband, and the collection of stronger spirits he had begun to gather from human ruins during his adventures around Boreas and Auster. "We're definitely not lacking in any department. We can afford to be as generous as your heart desires." Mav turned to glance at Venom from over his shoulder, his gaze sweeping around the pantry. "We've got venison, beef, pheasant, chicken... There's fish of all kinds and fruits and veg to spare. Not to mention all our liquor." The dire brute rapped his claws across the many necks of the glass bottles to produce a melodic sound, then shot a sly grin of his own to her with a knowing expression. "Although I don't know if you'd rather keep those for our own amusement."

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick didn’t offer any argument as she spoke briefly about her plan for the feasts that were to come. He agreed simply before leading the way into the cellar structure. The smell of preserved meats, fruits, and liquor filled her senses pleasantly. Almost as pleasant as Maverick’s presence and assistance. No matter the task, Venom knew she could count on her sky pelted brute to be there for her. She nuzzled his hip, and trailed herself along his side as she stood beside him.

Her sunset gaze glanced over the array of resources that were available and Maverick was confident that Ashen could be just as generous as her heart desired. Venom chuckled slightly, impressed and proud of the bounty they had. The hard work of her wolves was visually obvious. He mentioned alcohol as well as the possibility of keeping that here for themselves. "Maybe not that generous.” She teased as her white gloved paws started to decide what would be best to offer to such a huge festival.

She selected carefully, picking and choosing some of the best bits of each option they had at their disposal. Venom wouldn’t hold herself back in her aid, she didn’t know why but there was a deep desire to offer more and more. Despite what she said there were a couple of bottles chosen to offer as well.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom smirked and agreed that perhaps offering up some of their more quality liquors was being a mite too generous. The pair of wolves had been together long enough to start thinking on the same wavelengths. Still, the Empire had plenty of surplus to offer without cutting into their own rations, and they had ample opportunity to be generous. Maverick followed behind Venom as she perused their stores, carrying a bushel to collect the items they deemed worthy of donating to the feast. As she waved a white-gloved paw over her selections, Mav would snatch them up and toss them into the large wicker basket. His Empress was indeed feeling generous today, as their basket was soon filling with an abundance of meats, fishes, cockles and shrimp, fresh fruits and vegetables, even some wild clover honey.

As their donations neared the top of the basket, Venom surprised him by pointing out a couple of bottles of alcohol to donate as well. Maverick gave her a questioning look as if to ask if she was sure, then placed them carefully atop the pile of food when she confirmed her wishes. With her selections made, Venom began to head for the stairs, her consort close behind carrying their bushel of food. On the way out, however, the sly brute paused by the liquor racks and surreptitiously placed a couple bottles of high proof bourbon he'd found in with the others. If they were giving away some alcohol, they might as well make sure it was the good stuff!

"Venom & Maverick"