Pose and decorum were very important to Kitsune. There were few people she allowed to see herself outside of the bounds she had set. It had been a long time since she had allowed even her own mother to see her as anything other than a Proper Princess, and an appropriate choice for leadership in the pack.

But as she awoke that morning, and felt the cold and empty air beside her, she felt a sudden and aching need for her mother. It was early yet, and she knew the nocturnal Empress would be heading to bed for the day. She rose from her den, rubbing her eyes and wishing she could just as easily rub her aching heart. It wasn't the first time she had felt something like this. Her father had willfully abandoned her, he had up and left their lives as if it was of no consequence to him. Had Iho done the same? She had always known of his love for exploring. But she thought that there were ties between them that were stronger than his wanderlust. It hurt to be proven wrong.

When she arrived at her mother's home, the scent about the place told her the Empress was alone. Good. She knocked at the door and made her way inside. “Mumma?” She asked softly.


"Speech"

Venom almost felt sorry for Maverick as she sent him off with the four growing puppies. He had been the one to offer to take them off her paws while she enjoyed a nap alone. A rare treat for the Empress mother. The woman was stretching out and making herself comfortable, unsure if she would really get some extra sleep or if she was just going to lay here and relax her mind and body for a while. Venom wouldn’t have been upset about dozing off, but just having a quiet moment was enough of a gift for her.

That moment would not last for very long, but she wasn’t particularly upset about that fact either as the sound of Kitsune’s voice filtered through with her gentle knock on the door. Venom couldn’t deny how upset her daughter sounded, so any and all attention was instantly Kit’s as Venom was suddenly fully awake. She lifted herself up out of the nest of blankets to look presentable as she invited Kit into her bedroom. "Come in, my dear.” She invited her Daimyo in gently.

"Venom & Maverick"

Today, she didn’t want to be the Empress’s Daimyo, she wanted to be her mothers daughter. She came into the den as she was invited, and found her stretched out and relaxed on some bedding. WIthout saying anything else, she made her way over to Venom, and crawled into her mothers bed. She had grown so much since she had really curled up at her mothers side, but Venom was bigger than her still. Larger than life. Venom was the constant in her life, when most of her own siblings had already gone their own way. When their dad had abandoned them, and Iho… Iho had left her, too.

She cuddled up with her mother and let out a soft sigh, almost a hiccup. “Mumma, I don’t think Iho is coming back.” She said, her misery leaking into her words.


"Speech"

Venom couldn’t have guessed the reason that Kitsune found her way to her den this day, but as she looked upon her daughter’s features the Empress knew this visit was far more than her Daimyo checking in. Kitsune bypassed all decorum as she made her way into the plush furs against Venom’s side. That was not the only tell tale sign, she knew her daughter well despite her wandering paws.

She wouldn’t do anything but open her arms for the girl to get closer and receive her mother’s affections. Something that hadn’t happened in a very long time. Before Venom could enquire what was bothering her sweet daughter Kitsune confessed to her softly, the boy Iho, was likely not returning to Ashen. "Sweet Kitsune,” Venom murmured as she hugged her daughter and kissed her forehead. "I’m so sorry.” Left by her father, left by her friend. Venom was more determined than ever to stay here for her daughter, to be here now, supporting her through loss. One that Venom knew too well.

"Venom & Maverick"