[Loyalty. Something about the word makes him flinch. Venom doesn't know, of course, he couldn't, but even months--has it been a year already, by now?--later the knowledge of their true origin still stings, like a cut that just won't quite heal.]

It's... not supposed to be about that. Loyalty, I mean.

[Except, of course, in a twisted way--it is.]

My Keeper described it to me as a symbol of personal challenge. It could mean whatever you needed it to, and you overcome it to prove you can handle the responsibilities of adulthood. [He smirks drily.] In any case, I found pain tolerance to be more useful than patience.