After more time spent near the boulders honing her snake charming skills, Aurelia set out on her journey across the plains with a purposeful stride, the soft rustling of the grass beneath her paws punctuating the stillness of the early summer day. The vast expanse of the prairie sprawled before her, bathed in the gentle hues of sunlight. Luscious vegetation brushed against her fur as she moved, creating a symphony of whispers in the air. As she neared the center of the land, the large lake came into view, its tranquil waters reflecting the azure sky above. The gentle murmur of the small river that curved throughout the prairie added a soothing melody to the surroundings. The den, nestled near the lake, beckoned her with its cool darkness

Aurelia approach the den, its distinctive scent of Sephiran beckoning her with a fluid grace. Two serpents were coiled around her neck, each exhibiting their own unique pattern of movement. The female coral snake, draped in sleek black and adorned with blue and white stripes, slithered with an air of regal elegance. Meanwhile, the male Arizona Rattlesnake, boasting striking hues of black and gold, glided behind her with a mesmerizing pattern of undulation. Together, they were a stunning sight to behold as they made their way towards Sephiran's den.

The weight of the bag slung over her shoulder was a constant reminder of her mission. It held the necessary supplies for venom collection and a pair of still-warm mice, freshly caught as an offering to the powerful creature she sought. Approaching the larger den near the lake, she could feel Sephiran's scent growing stronger with each step. As she entered the den's cool darkness, a familiar chill ran down her spine. She called out in a sing-song voice, hoping to appease the creature inside. "I have someone for you to meet," she announced confidently, almost in a teasing manner.

Aurelia glanced at Sephiran, a playful spark in her eyes as she presented the male Arizona Rattlesnake. "I found another volunteer, and I thought you might like him" she remarked, her voice holding a hint of amusement. The Rattlesnake, though coiled and watchful, seemed relatively calm in her presence. "He's quite capable, and I'm sure he'll be a valuable addition as to what you have in mind," she added, gesturing towards the handsome serpent.

She lowered the bag with the supplies and mice, setting them down with deliberate care. "I've also brought everything we need to attempt the venom collection. Fresh mice for rewards, and the necessary tools," she explained, her tone businesslike but laced with a subtle excitement. The coral snake, sensing the shift in energy, moved closer to Aurelia, its slender form intertwining with the tangle of her fur. She neared Sephiran then, offering out her shoulder so the rattlesnake could cross over to the larger brute with relative ease. Once it found purchase on its new owner, Aurelia pulled away. "Shall we begin?" she inquired, a gleam of anticipation in her sapphire eyes, ready to embark on this unconventional venture.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

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"

A subtle, satisfied gleam danced in her deep sapphire eyes as she observed Sephiran's reaction to the rattlesnake. A slight lift of her lips betrayed her satisfaction as she detected the surprise in his demeanor. Though he refrained from overtly expressing gratitude, his acknowledgement of the snake's potential was evident in the way his gaze lingered on its coiled form. The serpent seemed to slither comfortably around him, a deadly living weapon that was now at his beck and call. She knew it would serve his purposes well.

Sephiran settled onto a patch of soft earth, surrounded by the carefully organized supplies that Aurelia had laid out. With fluid grace, she knelt beside him, her movements deliberate and purposeful. She unslung the bag from her shoulder, revealing an array of tools and small clay vials. The air was charged with anticipation as she prepared to demonstrate the intricate method of venom collection. On Sephiran's shoulder, the rattlesnake seemed to sense the imminent activity with its piercing eyes fixed on Aurelia's every move- feeling quite like the gaze of his new owner.

With a serene and unshakable confidence, Aurelia reached into the worn leather bag slung across her shoulder and withdrew a small, lifeless mouse. Holding it delicately between her fingers, she extended her wrist towards the female coral snake, its sleek body gracefully descending towards the offering. The mouse, a tantalizing reward, hung just above the empty clay vials. In her sing-song voice, Aurelia addressed the coral snake, "Now, my love, I need your assistance. Would you be so kind as to give this vial a gentle bite?" She presented the small clay container, its top covered by a thin piece of stretched leather. The serpent, sensing both the reward and the subtle command, eyed the mouse hungrily.

Aurelia continued, her words laced with respect and warmth, "As soon as its done, you'll have your reward." She held the vial at a strategic angle, ready for the serpent's cooperation. As the coral snake coiled around her wrist, Aurelia maintained eye contact with the creature, silently coaxing it to assist in the process.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

While Aurelia knelt beside him, fumbling with some of the materials she’d laid out in his den. Sephiran watched in silence, trying to grow accustomed to the feel of scales slithering around in his fur. He heard the rattle here and there- shifting as the serpent moved, little tongue flicks dancing across his skin. His new pet was analyzing him, he was sure. Memorizing everything down to his scent, taste, and even the subtitles in his body language. If they were going to participate in a symbiotic relationship, it would do the serpent well to figure the Saxe out… given Sephiran would kill it, if it became a nuisance.

Having set up her makeshift studio, Aurelia followed by pulling a lifeless mouse from a bag. One of his brows furrowed, lips twitching at the thought of convincing a snake to do something. Then again, this was how Aurelia won the snakes over in the first place. So, although Sephiran thought it was idiotic, he couldn’t deny its efficacy.

Using the mouse at bait, Aurelia instructed her coral snake to bite one of the apparatuses- small clay vials, covered with a thin piece of stretched leather. It only took a few seconds for him to connect the pieces. The snake would bite the top, and the venom would drip from its fangs and into the clay pot. That way, they could handle the dangerous substance with ease- and each snake could be harvested, without having to kill it and capture another. But the whole… coaxing it with rewards thing, was something Sephiran didn’t like.

Still, he didn’t say anything. Tail flicking behind him, tapping against the soil, as he waited for Aurelia’s snake to complete the task.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

As Aurelia watched her coral snake coil around her wrist, she maintained a steady gaze, silently coaxing it to assist in the venom collection process. With a soft, encouraging tone, she continued to address the serpent, her voice carrying a mixture of respect and warmth. "Come now, darling," she murmured, her words light and manipulative in the quiet den. "You know what to do. Just a gentle bite, and then you'll have your reward." She inclined her wrist slightly, presenting the clay vial with the precision of someone well-versed in the art of snake charming.

The coral snake, sensing Aurelia's unwavering confidence and the promise of a reward, seemed to respond to her coaxing. With a graceful movement, it adjusted its position, its gaze fixed on the tantalizing mouse hovering just above the empty vial. Slowly, almost cautiously, it extended its sleek form towards the prey, its forked tongue flicking out to taste the air. Aurelia held her breath, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knew the delicate balance of trust and instinct that guided these creatures, and she trusted in her bond with the coral snake to guide it through this task. With a swift, yet gentle motion, the serpent's fangs pierced the thin leather covering of the vial, delivering a small, controlled amount of venom into the container.

Aurelia couldn't help the subtle grin that broke her expression as she witnessed the successful completion of the task. "Well done, my love," she praised softly, her voice a soothing melody in the dimly lit den. Carefully, she withdrew her wrist, allowing the coral snake to retreat to its coiled position around her neck having snatched the mouse it had been offered. With practiced ease, she resealed the container, securing the precious venom for future use. Turning her attention to Sephiran, she offered him a satisfied smile. "And there we have it," she declared, a glimmer of pride shining in her sapphire eyes.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"