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."

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."

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."

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."