ORIGIN

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Envy shook their head. "No, it's not a rock monster... Unless by that you mean a bird that throws rocks. Which I don't think it does," they glanced at Pride, looking for some clarification. How had it took Pride's fur? The deer had kind of glossed over that part. "And if it does, well then... I'll just have to throw them back harder, won't I?"

Envy raised their greenish head to peer into the nest at the pigeon, and as they rushed over to the weasel, Envy stopped to think, satisfaction swelling in their chest. They felt flattered by her passionate refusal to let them go, and although they couldn't oblige for the sake of Pride's loyalty, they felt compelled to give the little one a show. Lust made the role of benevolent king easy to roll with, and like a noble knight or handsome prince, Envy bowed their head and nobly, passionately clasped a paw to their chest, every bit intending to elicit a reaction. "Oh Lust! I'm sorry, but I have to! It's the duty of a brave and noble king such as myself. I have to protect my subjects!" they declared, already shrill voice rising convincingly.

Saying the words made Envy almost believe them- but even they knew that it was just an act. They were doing this so that Pride would follow them- not to protect anybody, even Lust. But if someone else saw their victory and chose to follow them, well... that would be an added bonus, and much desired. "I'll be home soon enough, don't worry. And then, you can bask in tales of my victory!"

"Speech."

@Pride

Pride listened, flicking an ear. Envy was clearly this one's beloved, or some such--the way they spoke. They were close, there was no denying that, and he felt a faint, warm amusement at their melodramatic wailing.

At length, however, he spoke--stepping forward and clearing his throat quietly.

"I hope it will not be all that dangerous. Envy, I do have a plan; all I need to do is to see the fur the goose took from me. It is all I want back--a point of pride, I suppose," he added wryly.

"Not that I would not prefer to kill it, so that it cannot harm others. But you do not need to be injured for this. I merely want that fur back."

A polite dip of his head, as if to apologize for the interruption, and the young stag went back to waiting.

@Lust

It was quickly becoming apparent that Lust’s objections were in vain. It would appear that the weasel had made up their mind about going on this dangerous mission. At least it appeared that this was a different sort of creature than the one that Glory had faced before. That, at least, was some comfort. It was troublesome that Envy seemed to not understand the brief warnings of a rock monster but that would have to be a concern for another time. And surely there weren’t more of those terrible creatures …?

Despite Lust’s concern for their king, their heart fluttered in pride. “Oh, Envy! I don’t want you to get hurt! But it’s so honorable and noble of you to help him like this! You truly are an amazing king!” The pigeon couldn’t help but smile at the greenish creature.

Pride then stepped forward and gave their reassurances towards the two of them. Lust listened patiently, trying to get a good feel of the stag. It would appear that he too was a noble creature. Hearing that Envy didn’t need to get hurt gave the fledgling some comfort. “Thank you Pride. I trust you. I’m sure you’re return safely with your fur. You seem like a strong and smart person. I’m sure your plan is amazing!”

Indeed, Pride did appear to have quite intelligent eyes. He shimmered with a brilliance outwardly, it only made sense that his brain was equally as brilliant. And Envy appeared to trust him. They had spoked about the deer before. If Envy was able to put faith in him, surely, they could do likewise.

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

tags: @Envy @Pride
notes:

original coding by wulf for template purposes

Envy resisted the urge to grin towards Lust as the young one responded positively to their dramatic display of royal devotion. Instead, they combed the fur on their chest and tried to keep up a serious face, glancing towards Lust with their chest swelling slightly. They caught her smile, and grinned boldly back. "No need to worry- I'm basically indestructable. It's better I face this threat than one of my loyal subjects," they shrilled. Inwardly, the weasel revelled in Lust's concern. It made them feel bigger, ready to take on the world. There wouldn't be any sign of a fatality! Of course there wouldn't!

But then they turned towards Pride. Their stance deflated slightly. So... that was Pride's plan? "But... Pride..." they started, narrowing their eyes. "I thought that... your eyes...?" They blinked slowly, and tapped a hind foot impatiently, and maybe a little nervously. "Don't you have a better plan?"

Envy nodded, waving a paw dismissively. "Yes, yes! I've got it. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"Speech."

@Pride

Pride glanced to Envy--or the blur that was Envy--with some amusement.

"It does complicate things, doesn't it? I'll need to get closer, yes. But that's it. It was good to meet you, Lust," he added in his fluting voice.

"Envy, did you want a private moment to speak to them..? I can wait elsewhere. As for the plan--all I need to do is find that bird. I am confident that I can kill it, should it attack, but I can avoid it if you prefer to avoid the risk." Each word was, as ever, gently melodic.

Another flicker of vengeful hatred ran through him at the memory of the goose's theft, and arrogance. He'd wanted to kill it. His slamming it about against stones with his magic, and it had still been able to fly? It should have already been dead.

With a distant expression, he quietly paced off a few steps, questioningly, in case the other two wanted to speak alone.

@Lust

Lust found that Envy was indeed resolved to go after this troublesome goose. At least they were not going after a rock monster like the kind the fledgling had faced earlier. Lust wasn’t sure that they would let them face such a monstrosity. But a goose .… In the end, the pigeon had no choice but to allow them to proceed with the action, concerning though it was. But Envy was a mighty king. And Pride had a plan. Lust was hopeful that all would go well.

As Pride was moving away, the pigeon turned to face him. Their face became uncharacteristically dark with narrowed eyes. “Do whatever you need to do to keep that creature from hurting one hair on my Envy’s head.” “Or you either,” they thought silently as it was indeed a pity that such a beautiful pristine coat had been blemished by the foul goose.

With that said, Lust turned back to the weasel. Their face was one of concern but attempted support. It was as though the darker moment had not occurred at all. “I understand that you need to go. I’ll be waiting for you then, waiting to hear all about it! And I want you to come back safe and sound!” Their pale face flushed with their energetic outcry.

The pigeon shook their head to recover from the embarrassing outcry. “I know you’ll succeed, King Envy. You’re powerful and noble and mighty. No one can stand up against you.” They gave a slight smile at them.

It was reassuring to remind themselves of the weasel’s might. It meant that they could also protect them while they nested so close to the other’s den. Here in Orion, where they would definitely be safe. Safe from the goose. Safe from the rock monster. Safe from any trouble that dared to threaten the haven created here.

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

tags: @Envy @Pride
notes: "Foul goose." Lol~

original coding by wulf for template purposes

Envy wasn't entirely convinced by Pride's conviction, but they didn't have a better idea. At least not much of one. They had a fragment, birthed long ago by insecurities and childhood fantasies of nothing more than just being someone else. Someone better. Envy shied away from the seething mess of thoughts and fears that still remained, and slightly shook their head.

"I think I can get you closer to it. But it relies on the goose not being completely mindless, so we'll see. I'll need to learn more about it, in any case." They remembered how Kin-Kin had summoned a light-copy of themselves. Envy had been able to replicate the spell once with a little success, but what they were thinking of doing would take a lot more practice. They itched their neck thoughtfully. If it worked, then Envy would no doubt be seen as the most powerful magician in the caves. Obviously they had their priorities straight.

Envy chuckled, unable to resist the urge to look slightly smug as they heard Lust's words to Pride. They glanced her way, nodding approvingly. "Yeah, Pride," they echoed with a wink. "I am your king, after all. Or... I will be soon." They rubbed their paws together, and hopped down onto a lower step.

They turned back to glance at Lust as she spoke to them. "Of course I'll be back! You'll barely even notice I'm gone," they reassured smoothly. They seemed pleased by the confidence in her voice, and swelled some more at the flattery she showered upon them. "Absolutely!" they agreed excitedly, covering the remaining distance down from the nest to settle at Pride's hooves. At his question, they glanced back up towards Lust.

"Nah, let's keep this short and sweet. I'm not gonna be gone long enough to be worth crying over, and the sooner we go, the sooner I'll be back. Right, Lust?"

"Speech."

@Pride

Pride dipped his head softly.

"Just do not get too close to them. The creature is violent, and mad," he murmured, too quietly--he hoped, at least--for Lust to hear. He did not want to worry the little--bird? He thought it was a bird, at least. He didn't want to worry it any further, regardless.

"So, soon-to-be-King; how do you wish to proceed from here?"

Pride shifted his milky-hazed gaze down to watch Envy curiously. Would they want a full frontal confrontation with some sort of escape plan, or a sneaky little twist of a sort?

"May I ask what your plan is?"

@Lust

The pigeon watched as Pride and then Envy started to move away with words of reassurance sent their way. The chick couldn’t help but feel anxious about the entire situation. They had learned first talon that monsters did exist in the world. And here was two people, one of which she cared for deeply while the other was beginning to grow a bit of attraction, taking off to go after one of the world’s monsters.

They trusted in Envy’s powers. There was no doubt in their mind that the weasel could take care of themselves. And Envy trusted Pride. That meant the stag had to be trustworthy and valuable as well. Surely, they would be able to handle the situation well. Then all of the Origin Caves would be at better ease with one less monster storming the tunnel caverns.

That at least sounded pleasant. That was the hope that Lust clung to so deeply. With great mental effort they pushed the fears away to send them off well. “Best of luck, you two!” They shouted after them from the edge of their stone lawn. There was more they wanted to say; concerns of safety, words of encouragement, sighs of worry.

Those were the only words to escape their beak though. The rest stayed as a muddle mess of thoughts. So instead, they simply watch the two start to walk off together to formulate plans. Then, after a bit of time, they hobbled back to their nest and settled back down once again. If only their thoughts were so easily settled as well.

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

tags: @Envy and @Pride
notes: Lust is leaving the thread at this point

original coding by wulf for template purposes

Envy turned as they heard Lust's parting yell, shooting the pigeon a farewell grin before hurrying to settle below Pride's chest. "Yes, yes. I've got it!" they acknowledged with an excited wave of their paw. "But I have some tricks- yes, tricks! -that might come in handy." They brushed themselves off, preparing for yet another display of their talents- that is, until they realized that Pride couldn't see them.

They slumped slightly in disappointment, before shaking their head.

"W-well, I hope to spy a bit- or a lot. As I say, I have tricks. I can get close without them spotting me, guaranteed. See where they live, and if there's anyone they tolerate. All useful information. And... It'd mean we could find out where it keeps the fur. Once I know all of that, I can bring you in. Someone taught me how to make light-copies of other gems- if they have anyone they like that could potentially be useful for avoiding being attacked..." Mid-speech, Envy had begun to pace once again, tail flickering and paws combing their fur. As they finished, they looked up at Pride. At this stage, there was little that could guarantee their success. All hinged on their spying operation. The little weasel felt a nervous clench in their stomach, knowing that they sounded a lot more certain than they felt. Their skill in acting could be a double-edged sword at times.

"Speech."

@Pride

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Livius

Pride

Lust

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