Venom lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. It seemed rather odd, she thought, that a place like the Dynasty Palace would have stucco on the walls. Rolling over, she played with some of the chenille fringe on the side of her green satin and velvet pillow.

“I gotta get Sekhmet alone,” she thought out loud. “How am I supposed to get my mack on when everyone else is there too??”

A long green and brown mottled python curled his way up Venom’s side to flicker his black tongue in her ear.

“Froofie!” she giggled, rubbing at her ear. Sitting up, she stroked the snake on the top of his head. “I know! None of us is doing anything special today. Why don’t I make lunch for me and Sekhie and we can have a picnic in the woods.”

Froofie cocked his head, flickering his tongue once more.

“You’re right, Froofs, he’ll be up soon, so I had better get started.” Venom tossed the sheet off of herself and hopped happily out of bed. “I should wear something pretty, ne, Froo?” she asked the snake as she was getting out of her PJs. “Something light and flowy so he can’t keep his eyes off of me.” She grinned, throwing open her closet door. “I know! Oh, he’ll just LOVE it.”

Froofie just watched her from the bed. Sometimes, that girl was stranger than even Sekhmet himself. And he had spent a lot of time with the green-haired warlord. Coiling up on the pillow, he settled down for a little nap.

~^^~***~^^~

In the kitchen, Kayura and Asa were cooking breakfast. TRYING to cook, that is. Standing over them, was Crimson, her trusty spork, Mr. Prongs at the ready.

“Will you quit hovering, Crim!?” Asa asked, trying to shoo the other girl away. “Nothing is burning and I haven’t burned the Palace down yet!”

“But I just want to make sure,” Crimson replied, grinning. “Poke, poke.” She prodded Asa with Mr. Prongs. “Mr. Prongs is watching you.”

Asa waved a spatula, threateningly, in Crimson’s face. Incidentally, it was the one she and Kayura were using to make omelets. “Better watch it, Crim, or you’ll end up with egg on your face.”

“Ooh, I’m SO scared.” Shaking mockingly, Crim just laughed.

Sitting at the table were Cale and Purple. The latter had her chin cupped in her hand, her elbow resting on the table top, her staff resting against the edge. “Those two will be the death of me, yet. Sometimes, I think I’d like to shove this staff right up their--”

“Ah ah ah! I, I’ve got a sweet poison cake, gonna be high. Take me higher, higher. I’ve got a sweet creature song, it’s a lemon, lemon, lemon and I scream.” The double doors burst open and a happily singing Venom walked in, the beam from her smile causing the others to shield their eyes. “Hola peeps! Que pasa???”

Cale raised a brow. “Woah, girl, what’s with the funky song? It doesn’t even make any sense.”

“It’s not funky, it’s Hide! And it’s not suPPOSED to make sense. It’s fun. ^_^.”

“How can something that doesn’t make sense be fun?”

“Well, we like YOU don’t we?”

“Alright, alright. Ven, one, Cale, zero.”

Venom threw a peace sign, then headed over to the fridge. Rummaging around, she shook her booty as she gathered the items to make her picnic. The others just exchanged looks.

Kayura looked Venom over. She was wearing a tight black and brown snake print leather mini-dress, complete with black leather knee-high boots. Her wild green hair had been tamed back into two cute little ponys on either side of her head, her bangs hanging down to frame her face.

“You’re sure dressed up nice today,” Kayura said, a grin on her face and a twinkle in her eye. “Any particular reason why?”

“Uh huh! I’m makin’ lunch.”

“Ooh,” Asa grinned. “For you and Sekhmet, eh, no doubt.”

“Yup!” She brought all of her gathered food items to the island counter and set them all out. “I’m going to make sandwiches and stuff and I’m going to ask Sekhie if he’ll have a picnic in the woods with me.” A faint blush had appeared on her cheeks. “I’m hoping he’ll say yes.”

“And how could he not??” Crimson walked over and threw her arm around Venom’s shoulders. “You got the looks AND you’re making him food. That’s a plus with -any- man. And...if he -still- doesn’t say he’ll go...I’ll spork him in the head with Mr. Prongs.”

Venom laughed, but sweatdropped. “Thanks, Crim, you’re the best.”

Crim beamed and threw a peace sign, flashing Mr. Prongs in a Charlie’s Angels pose. The other girls laughed and the cooking commenced, thankfully without any hash being slung.

~^^~***~^^~

The sound of knuckles rapping the huge wooden door echoed in the corridors. Banging the elaborate knocker, the shape of a snake’s head with its fangs bared, had, had no effect. And now, there was still no answer.

“Sekhmet, come on!” Venom called, now pounding on the door. “I know you’re in there! Open up!”

Suddenly, the huge door creaked, meaning someone behind it was attempting to push it open. Venom stepped back and put on her best smile, clasping her hands down in front of her. Sekhmet’s green mop poked out, his lean body leaning against the door frame. Cloudy white mist rolled out, covering the twosome’s feet.

“Whew,” he breathed, wiping his brow. “I gotta find a lighter door. Anyways...” he looked down at Venom, who was still beaming. “What can I do you for?”

“Oh, 20 dollars should cover it. ^_^.” She grinned and waggled her eyebrows as the Warlord blinked. “I came to drag you away on a picnic! Come on,” she said, taking hold of Sekhmet’s arm, “it’s nice outside, and it’s warm.”

“Oh...Ven, I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“You...can’t? But, why not??”

“I have to finish a potion I’m working on....I’m right in the middle and can’t just leave it sitting for a few hours.”

“But...but I made lunch and dressed up all nice and....dammit!” She stomped her foot down, clenching her fists. “You’re going with me whether you like it or not!”

Sekhmet laughed, thinking how cute she was when she was mad. “I never said I didn’t want to go, I said I couldn’t at this moment. Why don’t you come in and help me finish my poison? By dusk it should be finished, and -then- we can go out.”

“Ooh, yay! Can I??” Venom squealed with delight and rushed into the room, leaving Sekhmet to, once again, struggle with the heavy door.

Inside was Sekhmet’s laboratory, where he concocts and tests his many potions and brews he comes up with. Most of them use a lot of poisonous plants and liquids, as well as his own unique venom from his body. All around the room, there were tables filled with glass bottles and vials, full to the brim with colorful liquids. Some were steaming while others were bubbling; every single one of them a different poisonous brew. In the middle of the room was the main attraction...a huge solid black cauldron, well worn and overflowing with a bubbly mixture.

“What are you making?” Venom asked, peering into the cauldron, jumping back when some of the liquid hissed and popped at her.

Sekhmet joined her. “It’s sort of a cross between Rogaine and Miracle Grow.” He laughed at the “what the hell?” look on Venom’s face. “It’s a joke I plan on pulling on Cale. Haven’t you ever heard of that Dr. Seuss book...Daisy Head Maisy?”

Venom raised an eyebrow. “So you want to make him Daisy Head Cale?”

“Well, Stinkweed Head Cale, but yes, that’s the idea.”

“Oy, you can be SO awful sometimes, Sekhmet.”

“Thanks. Now be a dear and hand me that empty syringe. You can help me draw out some of my venom.”

“Gladly!” Ven grinned as she handed Sekhmet the syringe. Watching the Warlord roll up his sleeve, exposing his pale arm. she thought about how wonderful he was. Insane, dangerous, and deadly, yes, but maybe that’s why she liked him so much. Not only that, but he could be sweet as well. She liked to think of that trait as being his hidden talent. “How do you get the venom out?”

“You find the right vein.” He laid his arm down on a nearby table. “Hold my wrist and keep my arm steady, alright. I can’t miss.”

“How do you tell which is the right vein?” Venom looked down at his arm as she held it still. Since he was so light, the veins were pretty easy to see. There were blue ones, red ones...and green ones?

“It’s the big green one right down the middle.” Biting his lip in quiet concentration, he stuck the needle in the crook of his elbow, slipping it in deeply. Watching it almost made Ven sick, but it was fascinating, so she followed the reddish-greenish liquid slowly fill up the syringe.

Sekhmet managed to look up for a moment. Smiling slightly, he seemed to relish in the fact that this young girl was so interested in him. HIM. Sekhmet, the Warlord of Venom. Afterall,she’d always say, you are my Warlord.

“Sekhmet?”

“Hmmmm...?” He wasn’t really paying attention.

“Sekhmet, I think you’ve got enough venom now, the syringe is totally full!”

“Huh? Oh shimatta!” Snapping to attention, Sekhmet pulled the needle out of his arm. Pure liquid venom ran down, dripping onto the table. “Damn. I didn’t need that much.” Grabbing up a cloth, he started to wipe up his arm.

Venom took the cloth away from him. “Baka Warlord, you really ought to pay attention to what you’re doing. Here, let me help.” After wiping up the excess venom, she spied a container of cotton balls and pulled a few out. Dabbing a couple onto the puncture wound made by the needle, she tied the cloth around them to keep it from leaking any more.

“There. That should hold it for a while,” she said, smiling.

“Thanks,” he muttered. He walked back over to the cauldron and pushed out half of the venom into the brew. It fiercely began to boil, the bubbles getting higher and foamier until fizzing down to normal again. “Ah...it’s finished.”

“It IS?” Venom peered over into the cauldron, taking a gander at the finishedproduct. “Can I dish it up??”

“Surely you may.” Handing her a beaker, he instructed her on how to dip it in and fill it up without getting any of the concoction on herself.

Holding the full beaker, Venom beamed. “I did it! ^_^. Now what??”

“We put it in the fridge to chill, knowing that Cale will get thirsty and just throw back the first thing he finds.” He grinned. “He’s too stupid for his own good.”

“Heh, don’t let Purple hear you say that. You might have a staff where the sun don’t shine.”

Sekhmet shrugged. “Like she can do anything to me? Ha.” He looked at his watch; surprisingly, a few hours had passed. He figured all that time was lost trying to open and close that laboratory door. “Come on, Ven. Didn’t you say you had a picnic you wanted to go on?”

“YES!!!” Grabbing Sekhmet’s arm, she dragged him out of his lab and back up to the kitchen to get her basket of goodies she had made.

~^^~***~^^~

The Dynasty at night was a truly beautiful place. The sun was just setting, painting the sky with oranges, pinks, and reds. The colors peeked down through the many trees and towers around the Palace, lighting up the cobblestone path into the woods nearby. The weather was surprisingly warm and the atmosphere was all around pleasant.

Her arm linked with his, Venom and Sekhmet walked their way down the path, the latter carrying the basket. Beaming up at him, the young girl squeezed his arm slightly. “I’m so glad you decided to come with me, Sekhie. I’ve been wanting to get you alone since I got here.”

“Oh?” Sekhmet just smirked, the whole ‘I can’t believe she likes me’ thing still sinking in. “Well, it’s good to be out of the Palace for a bit. Heh, and Kay can’t make me do any dishes, either.”

Venom giggled. “Oh, so THAT’S why you wanted to go, eh? So you didn’t have to do any chores, huh?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call that “chores”.”

“No? And what WOULD you call them?”

“I call it slave labor.”

“But you get room and board, shouldn’t you at least do SOMETHING?”

“Oh, stop. We Warlords do enough as it is.”

“Heh, sorry.” She looked out ahead of her. “Hey, this looks like a nice spot. Let’s eat here.”

Sekhmet also took a look around. They had come to a small clearing where lots of big, tall trees were lined up around. On one side was a small pond where a miniature waterfall was spilling over into it. On the other side were some fallen logs, not rotten; they looked as if they were put there as seats to sit and watch the waterfall on. All in all, it was a lush green place, very calm, very serene, and the perfect spot for a picnic.

Venom walked to the middle of the clearing and spread out the red and white checkered blanket, smoothing out all the wrinkles. “There we go.” She looked up at Sekhmet and smiled. “Come on and sit down. ^_^.”

Sekhmet smiled back. Sitting down on the blanket, legs crossed Indian style, he peered into the basket. “So whadidjya make?”

“Silly,” Venom slapped his hand away from the basket. Opening it up, she took out two nicely wrapped foil packages. “I made us some sandwiches. ^_^. Ham and cheese for me, and a fluffernutter for you.”

“Fluffernutter? What the hell is that??”

Covering her mouth with a hand to hide the giggles, Venom explained. “A fluffernutter is marshmallow fluff and peanut butter.”

Sekhmet crinkles his pale nose. “Ew. That sounds absolutely nauseating.”

She shoved the sandwich at him. “Try it. If it was good enough for Elvis, then it’s good enough for you.”

A dubious eyebrow was raised. “Have YOU ever eaten one?”

“.....well, no, but just cuz I....well what’s THAT got to do with the price of eggs in China!? Just eat it!!”

Sekhmet couldn’t help but laugh. She was getting so frustrated, it was funny. “Oh, alright, Ven. Since you went through the trouble of making it. But you have to try it too.”

“OK, OK!” She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them close, resting her chin on them as she watched the Warlord unwrap the sandwich and take a bite.

“So what’s it taste like?”

Sekhmet licked some of the brown and white filling from his lip. “S’gooey.”

Venom giggled.

“Wha? Wha fo funny?”

Now snerking, all she could do was point to the Warlord’s face. “You...you...hahahahahahahaha...you missed a spot! Hahahahahahaha!!!” She doubled over forward, continuing to laugh herself silly.

A -huge- sweatdrop appeared on Sekhmet’s forehead. He stared at Ven for a few moments, not quite sure what was wrong with her..

Venom looked up and blinked. “Buwahahahahahahaha! Oh, you should see your face, Sekhie, you look so funny!”

“Yes, well, look who’s talking, Miss I’m-Having-A-Spastic-Fit.” He attempted to wipe the fluffy goo from his face, but only succeeded in spreading around his lips. His hands on his hips, he looked at her. “There. You can stop laughing now. And get me a glass of milk.”

Venom sat back, wiping her eyes. “OK...” She reached into the basket, pulling out a red thermos and clean plastic tumbler. Pouring the drink, she handed it over, catching sight of the Warlord’s fluffy, gooey facial decoration. “BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Goo face!!”

“Nani!? Just give me my drink, woman!

Venom could not stop laughing. “H-here. Lemme get that for you.” She wiped the tears of merriment from her eyes and sat back on her knees, leaning over to Sekhmet. Taking her index finger, she traced around his lips, “mopping” up the fluffernutter goo.

Sekhmet just sat there, a mixture of “help me” and “oh gods, she’s touching me” on his face. With her finger so close to his lips, he caught it in his mouth, his tongue snaking around to lick the goo off from it.

Venom gasped, wide-eyed. “S-Sekhmet...?” A slow grin appeared. “Oh ho, you little devil, you.”

Sekhmet smirked. He took pride in the way he threw the young girl off. “What?” he began innocently. “It was my lunch to begin with.”

“Well -I- made it, so I had better clean up my mess...” She leaned a little closer to the Warlord, her gaze never leaving his dark eyes.

“I do believe you already did...” He licked his lips. “And, might I add...you are mighty tasty.”

“Oh am I now?” She paused for a moment. “I wonder what poison tastes like...” Her lips were dangerously close to his as she said this, her voice deep and a little husky.

Sekhmet’s eyes silted halfway as he looked down at Venom’s hunter-green painted lips. “Why don’t you find out?”

Her eyes closing, she gave the Warlord a small, sweet kiss. Though it only lasted a second, Ven swore the feeling would last forever. Breaking the kiss, she sat back slightly.

“Mmm. Poison tastes good.” Her lips curled up in a small smile. “I think I like it.” She suddenly paused, cocking her head. “Very peanut buttery. Heh.”

Sekhmet grinned. “Well no wonder...you’ve got some goo on your face too.” He reached out a pale finger and wiped off the mess.

Venom giggled. “That rhymed. ^_^.”

“Baka.” Rolling his eyes good-naturedly, he picked up his drink and raised it to his lips. “You did a good job.”

“Thank you!!” she beamed. “I’m so glad you like it.”

Sekhmet laid down on his side, propping himself up on an elbow. “It’s a nice night for a picnic. The moon is full tonight.”

Venom looked up through the trees at the moon. “Yeah...it reminds me of you.”

“Eh? Why’s that?” Sekhmet asked, looking up at her.

“Because it’s pale and beautiful...just like you...” Biting her lip nervously, she looked down at her knees, fiddling with the hem of her dress.

Sekhmet stared at her in disbelief. “You...you really think that?”

She traced a pattern on her knee. “Yeah....” She looked up at him. “Sekhmet, I--”

He cut her off, placing a finger to her lips. “Shh.” Without saying another word, the green-haired Warlord reached up and wrapped an arm around Venom’s neck, pulling her down towards him. Slowly, his lips replaced his finger, and he gave the girl a gentle kiss.

Venom cupped the side of the Warlord’s face, eagerly returning the kiss she had been waiting for since she and the others had been brought to this place. After a few moments, he released her, much to Venom’s dismay.

“It’s late,” he said, “we’d better get home.”

“Awwww.....OK...” After getting herself up, she took Sekhmet’s hands and helped him up as well before setting to work picking up the blanket. “I had a lot of fun today, Sekhie. ^_^”

Sekhmet smiled. “Me too.” He gathered up the picnic basket and the two headed back down the path to the Palace.

~^^~***~^^~

“I haven’t seen Venom all day,” Anubis commented as he read the paper at the dinner table.

“Nor Sekhmet,” Dais replied. “Not that, that’s such a big loss or anything. Heh.”

“She went out with Sekhmet today,” Asa grinned. She patted her heart a few times to indicate beats. “It’s a date.”

A voice sounded from the doorway. “Oh ho, really? What? They go picking nightshade, or snake hunting or something?” The voice, which belonged to Cale, had a hearty laugh.

Crimson shook her head. “She said they were going on a pic--phew!” She held Mr. Prongs up to cover her nose. “What IS that smell???” The others had smelled it too, and were also covering up their noses, but no one could quite figure out where it was coming from...until Crimson looked up at the blue-haired Warlord. “BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!”

Cale stood with his hands on his hips. “What?”

Asa also looked over. “Wahahahahahaha! Someone get the lawnmower, it’s time to give Cale a haircut!”

“What the hell are you talking ‘bout?????”

Oh Cale,” Dais sighed. “What did you get into THIS time?”

“I didn’t get into ANYthing!”

Kayura waved a hand over Cale’s head, trying desperately to hold in her giggles. “Oh you didn’t, eh? Then want to explain why you’re wearing part of MY garden on YOUR head??”

“Nani!?” Cale ran over to the shiny chrome toaster on the counter, and bent down so that he could see his reflection. Boy he had wished he didn’t do that. His eyes widened in horror. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

At that moment, Sekhmet and Venom walked in. The two exchanged looks, pursing their lips, then looked back at the fretting Warlord. Each with a grin on their faces, proclaimed to the whole room, “Why, it’s Stinkweed Head Cale!”

~^^~**~^^~

The End

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