The world was starting to get a little woozy as their conversation went on and Amazon found it harder to concentrate. But this was too important for her to give in to her sickness. She powered through it, letting Envy's words anchor her and the thought that they would travel together be her ground. For a brief moment, a small shining second, the future did not seem so dark. She had something to look forward to now, something ahead that wasn't more sickness and her own impending death. She would be back to moving around, seeing new places, and spending all of that time with one of the few true friends she had made. She wanted to meet so many and see so much.
Her eyes watered with emotion at the thought of being a loyal subject of Envy's kingdom. She had some purpose, even if it was just swelling the ranks. While Envy's comment about her certainly stung, she had to admit they had a point. The others were capable creatures and she was just a sick little lizards who's only defense were her tiny spikes. She couldn't just wander off on her own again, especially not now that her condition had gotten worse. Having Envy at her side would keep her safe. She nodded.
Excitement once again set in. There were so many possibilities in store for her, so many places that she still had to see. She remembered that Envy was experienced and had probably seen a lot of the caves already.
Envy thought for a moment. They hesitated, briefly opening their jaws to speak, before stopping with a grunt and a shake of their head. "It'll be nice to spend some time with someone who's..." They stopped themselves. What could they say? Someone who's their own size? Someone who's weaker than them? Someone who made them feel better about themselves? Somehow, none of those felt like they'd appeal to their pride, or Amazon's. "You... you know. More like me. And doesn't rub things in my face all the time."
They grinned as Amazon's excitement mounted. "Well, where do you want to go? I bet there's places even I haven't seen!"
When I speak.
When I think.
@Amazon
Envy's comment about Amazon felt strange. Someone like them? But she was nothing like Envy. She was tiny and weak and sick and they had become so strong and mighty, despite their size and their own hindrances. She wondered what other words for her that Envy had thought about before coming to their decision. She could think of some and they both saddened her and made her even more envious. She just wanted to be normal, living a normal life. Envy had made something from theirs. Could she do the same?
As for where she wanted to go...there were so many possibilities. She thought for a moment about the cave she had heard of and her eyes started to sparkle at the thought of seeing them.
Envy was excited at the prospect of more exploring, and combed their chest fur with vigour, the tip of their tail flicking excitedly. Amazon's question made them pause though. A favourite place? They'd never really considered it. Their home, their hoard, would probably be it- but that was still here in Orion. And Amazon said other than Orion. "I... well, I dunno. But I found a cave that's really warm, full of warm pools and steam. That place was pretty nice. I bet you'd be able to relax there. And a swamp- but that place was cold, and wet and sort of creepy." Their spines quivered. "I liked Eridanus, though. I climbed the trees!"
When I speak.
When I think.
@Amazon
Amazon stood a little taller with excitement as Envy grew excited as well. The prospect of adventuring suddenly seemed super close and Amazon couldn't wait to get on the road!
But then she remembered the gem, waiting for her in Polaris. She went quiet for a moment, her eyes going a little misty as she realized that she needed to go soon. It had been almost a cycle after all.
Envy felt themselves shiver with excitement at the prospect of heading to Eridanus again; it had been so long since they'd been there, and now their paws had changed! They'd become strangely sticky and Envy found that occasionally, it was hard to put things down. They bet they could climb so, so high now! "I bet there are a lot of secrets hidden in the forest. I can show you a few!"
Excitement seared through them as they remembered the enormous skeleton of the snake that Astrea had showed them all those cycles ago. Such an enormous creature- something that they were so jealous of- and yet... it'd make a great tour destination. They imagined briefly the wonder on Amazon's face when they showed her, and imagined telling her about how they'd seen the beast itself, breaking out- enormous- how they'd almost been squashed flat but hadn't been.
Envy was lost in thought as the lizard spoke again, and they looked up at her with a small "hm?" when they realized she was speaking. "O-oh! of course, I didn't mean right now," Envy sputtered after a moment of thought. "I have to tend to the rest of my kingdom first."
They paused, an awkward feeling prickling their fur and rippling through their spines. "Polaris?" They didn't know how they felt about Amazon heading out on her own. "Want me to take you?"
When I speak.
When I think.
@Amazon
Amazon shook her head at their offer. Even though getting a ride to Polaris sounded great, she knew that she couldn't have anyone with her. She wanted to do this alone. It was going to be something special for her. While she really did like Envy, they wouldn't understand the importance of what was going to happen. How could they? They didn't have children and they weren't dying.
She felt her body shiver with weakness. The symptoms were growing worse by the day - she felt almost feverish, her muscles exhausted and her head spinning. She couldn't have it like this when she was travelling.
Envy looked long and hard at Amazon after her response, falling silent for a moment other than a soft rattle as their spines collided. "If you say so," The weasel said reluctantly after a time, flicking the heavy tip of their tail. After a time though, they spoke again. "If you say so. But... if you don't come back, I'll come for you."
When Amazon spoke of leaving, Envy tensed for a moment, as though they wanted to say something else- but after a few moments more, they nodded. "Okay, I--... suppose I'd better get moving, too. My kingdom is big, and I have a lot to do. A king is... always busy. I'm an even busier weasel than I used to be!" The small green creature appeared to perk up.
"I'll see you soon. And if I don't... well, I'll see you when I find you." The weasel's gaze lingered on amazon's for a little longer than it perhaps should have but after that, Envy quickly turned away. It took them the blink of an eye to skitter off at a bound, short legs blurring.
-exit Envy-
When I speak.
When I think.
Amazon gave a small dip of her head in acknowledgement. Whatever pride she still had was not bothered by Envy possibly having to come and get her. She knew she was small and weak - obviously her king was going to worry about her. Besides, if she did end up getting into trouble, she had to admit, the prospect of getting rescued would be a comforting one.
She stayed silent as Envy proclaimed themselves to be even busier then they used to be, simply choosing to gaze at the weasel a little longer. They were so brave and so strong now - they certainly were so much better then she had remembered them before. And probably worlds more amazing then they had been when they hatched. She jerked out of her thoughts, however, when she realized that Envy was still staring at her, silent. For just a moment, she felt tension in the air between them, not the bad kind at all and it made Amazon shiver. However, before she could say anything, Envy had turned and was gone.
She stared after them for a moment before she turned and slipped into her crevice, feeling the world start to go hazy. She pushed out a bit of magic to counteract the symptoms before settling down on the cool rock floor. Tomorrow was the day, or whenever she arrived in Polaris, that everything would change.
*exit