Envy wayched impatiently, tail flicking back and forth, as the fox prepared to cast their magic, and did so with an astounding degree of success. Golden wings unfurled from their back, clearly another of the three kings' gifts. Envy almost wished they'd gone for that one instead, or better yet, tried to con all three of the brothers out of their magic! But, they were young and stupid back then. Envy doubted they'd be able to accomplish such a feat. So they could only stare longingly at the golden wings and pretend that they weren't as entranced as they appeared.
Fluffing themselves out, Envy decided to put on a show of their own.
After a while, they turned back to Azar.
It's a new start
And it's alive with the beating of a young heart
![[Image: fESoGD0.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/fESoGD0.gif)
"Well done, Envy, you cast that spell as if it was nothing!" Azar congratulated, eying the beautiful wings on Envy’s back. "I guess you can do loads of spells, huh?" Part of Azar wished he had that kind of power, but he was happy for Envy all the same. After performing his spell, Azar felt reasonably proud. He had got a compliment from Envy! Azar’s tail began wagging at the thought. "Oh, Envy? Thank you for the compliment. I realize my magic is nowhere near as advanced as yours but I really appreciate you acknowledging it!" He did another one of his wide smiles, a mixture of gratitude, happiness and pride. "I’ve never really thought of magic as a necessity, but I suppose there are some Gembounds who really rely on it!" Azar himself had never got into a fight of any kind before, so had only ever used magic to test his own strength and abilities. He was surprised that he had even been successful in casting his last spell, but he was glad nonetheless. He wanted Envy to see him as a capable and worthy friend.
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
![[Image: 9SIkaUz.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/9SIkaUz.gif)
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
"Speech."
"Thoughts."
@Envy
Envy grinned coolly, glancing sideways at Azar.
Envy listened to the gushing flow of thanks to their meager compliment, and felt reasonably pleased themselves.
@Azar
It's a new start
And it's alive with the beating of a young heart
![[Image: fESoGD0.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/fESoGD0.gif)
Azar wondered if Envy was a very good fighter, they certainly looked like it. "So, how did you get so great at magic?" Azar asked curiously, trying to remember how he discovered he could use magic. He’d only used it a few times... Azar shook his head, trying not to appear nosy. The fox didn’t want to give Envy a reason to distrust him any more than he already did. He had often wondered about the magic of other gembounds, but now Azar had met one of these powerful creatures he wasn’t exactly sure how to address the matter. He just patiently waited for Envy’s reply, hoping it would be an honest one.
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
![[Image: 9SIkaUz.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/9SIkaUz.gif)
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
"Speech."
"Thoughts."
@Envy
Envy didn’t seem surprised at Azar’s question, but equally, they didn’t seem happy to hear it. The weasel grumpily folded their paws across their chest snd lowered their ears, whiskers stiffening.
Envy opened their jaws wide, displaying the crimson marble at the back of their tongue, embedded in flesh that was red and raw. Their breaths reeked of toxic metal. They lingered there for a while, before clamping their jaws shut, eyes narrowing warningly.
@azar
It's a new start
And it's alive with the beating of a young heart
![[Image: fESoGD0.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/fESoGD0.gif)
Azar lowered his gaze sorrowfully as Envy spoke. A few moments later, he lifted his head. "That must have been very hard on you," Azar sighed, "But I’m really glad you survived it all." He grinned at Envy, trying to cheer up the weasel. "It’s horrible, how much pain you must’ve been through, but you do have a friend now!" Azar wagged his frizzy white-tipped tail. "You’re really strong, Envy. I probably would’ve died, I’m weak and useless; you must be extremely capable. It’s awesome, how with everything you’ve been through, you’re still so kind to me!"
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
![[Image: 9SIkaUz.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/9SIkaUz.gif)
![[Image: N008Q9U.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/N008Q9U.gif)
"Speech."
"Thoughts."
@Envy
The weasel basked once again in the praise that was flung down upon them like roses at an opera, and Envy felt more than deserving of it.
@azar
@Envy
Envy's tail twitched at the question. they eyed the fox closely, wondering what the fox wanted them to say. The weasel wondered again if Azar was trying to lure them into some kind of trap. They were silent for a while, not wanting to appear weak, stubbornly wanting to uphold their outward stoicism... but also not wanting to lose this potential follower. Finally they folded their paws across their chest and rolled their eyes, turning their gaze away.
Soon after, the weasel twisted around and used their paws and tongue to smooth the fur down their lower back. They cleared their throat, finally deciding that enough was enough. Social interaction was draining, especially so with this one. And they didn't want to give Azar any more of an opportunity to make them look weak. That was the reasoning Envy used in their head, but perhaps there was a tiny part of them feared making an actual connection with the friendly fox. Envy shook off that thought hastily. of course that wasn't true. It couldn't be. Envy was strong.
Like grooming, or... basking in one's own glory, or... whatever it was they did all day. Recruiting? More like chasing distant silhouettes and boasting incessantly. Envy's jaw clenched. They cleared their throat.
The weasel hopped off the rock and began to scuttle away, pausing briefly to look back and make sure Azar's mouth stayed shut.
Envy's tail twitched at the question. they eyed the fox closely, wondering what the fox wanted them to say. The weasel wondered again if Azar was trying to lure them into some kind of trap. They were silent for a while, not wanting to appear weak, stubbornly wanting to uphold their outward stoicism... but also not wanting to lose this potential follower. Finally they folded their paws across their chest and rolled their eyes, turning their gaze away.
Soon after, the weasel twisted around and used their paws and tongue to smooth the fur down their lower back. They cleared their throat, finally deciding that enough was enough. Social interaction was draining, especially so with this one. And they didn't want to give Azar any more of an opportunity to make them look weak. That was the reasoning Envy used in their head, but perhaps there was a tiny part of them feared making an actual connection with the friendly fox. Envy shook off that thought hastily. of course that wasn't true. It couldn't be. Envy was strong.
Like grooming, or... basking in one's own glory, or... whatever it was they did all day. Recruiting? More like chasing distant silhouettes and boasting incessantly. Envy's jaw clenched. They cleared their throat.
The weasel hopped off the rock and began to scuttle away, pausing briefly to look back and make sure Azar's mouth stayed shut.
Then they were gone.
-exit Envy-