River approached Trisha and her husband. She grabbed Zak, and gave a warm look at Trisha

"I'm glad you've decided to stay with us" she said to her daughter.

"Now you!" she said to her son in law. "You have cunning, that's good, but you'll need something to protect you in a physical fight" she waved her hand over his hands, and long, talon-like claws appeared.

"Thank you, ma'am. Horns and claws" he smiled and flexed them.

"Let me see your claws for a moment" she asked, taking his hand. She dragged a claw across his skin and gasped. "Your claws are poisonous, like mine" she said, healing her arm before the damage went too deep.

"Is that a good thing, ma'am?" he asked her, not sure if she was pleased or not.

"Yes, very. If your claws draw blood, your poison will enter their veins. The poison is strong. You can kill with these claws" she said, slightly proud of him. He was starting to become more like a son to her than ever before.

"Understood. But what if I draw blood but do it by accident, ma'am?" he said, slightly concerned, looking back in his wife's direction.

"Then the damage is done. You can't go back and undo it. You can retract your claws like this" at this, she brought her claws back within her, somewhat like how a cat could. "But if it gets in the blood, you cannot draw it out. Depending on how far it goes, I may be able to help. But at this point, you can do nothing but try to avoid it. Only draw your claws when you need to." Upon hearing this, Zak retracted his own claws.

"You may want to test out your claws, and your fighting skills" she said as an after thought.

"On whom, ma'am?" he said, concerned.

"You may test them on me if you wish" she said, turning back to him "I can heal any damage done, and I can help you along the way. After you test them out, we should train"

"Yes ma'am" Upon saying this, he dragged hid claw across her arm. She gasped in surprise, and he jumped away, not wanting to have truly hurt her. At her insistance that they continue, he went deeper, drawing blood. She cried out in pain.

"Your poison is very strong Zak" she said, healing her arm "Very good. Now let's train. We will fight. If it becomes too much, let me know. We will stop, and I will heal us both"

Zak began the fight, throwing River to the ground. She pushed him off and flew into the air

"Can you catch me now?" she asked mocking

"I don't have wings" he replied sadly

"You don't need them. Jump" she was dragged down by her ankle. He had caught her. She extended her claws and swiped at him. He snarled at her, and swiped back, straight in her face. She leaped back, but again, he caught her ankle, and pulled her back. She cried out as he swiped her stomach. She kicked him back, and he hit the ground. She flew into the air to assess her injuries for a moment, but he jumped and pulled her down again. She clawed his eyes, and he howled in pain. He swiped her throat, and she decided it was time to stop. She healed them both, and praised him.

"You need to get better control, but you did very well"

"Understood" River waved her hand behind his back. "Why don't you try out your wings?" He spun around, trying to see the wings that had sprung from his back.

"Thank you, ma'am" he said, bowing his head

"You're welcome" she looked behind her at her daughter , who was staring open mouthed at the pair "Enjoy the show, Trisha?" she asked in amusement

"It's good" Trisha agreed

"You could have this" River replied sadly

"Have what?" Trisha didn't understand what River wanted. She wanted her daughter with her up here... even if it meant her losing the soul River had sacrificed to her.