Envy kept to the shadows as much as they could, their lilac eyes the only thing that betrayed them. Magic surged and prickled through their fur, filling them with exhilaration. They'd been trailing this wolf for quite some time now, their body melding with stone and moss alike, almost indistinguishable from the world around. They despised the way they remained here, watching her, but they found themselves unable to leave, entranced by the golden glow and the cloak that wreathed their gilded form.

The desperate longing in their heart sickened them, begging them to stay. And yet jealousy, sheer and bitter, desperately wanted them to tear their gaze away.

They had to learn her magic, and yet it seemed so useless, and they, as a tiny and inconsequential weasel, would never be able to look so grand. It didn't matter if they donned her cape and made themselves gold with magic; they'd never be that tall, or have long legs like hers... They'd always just be Envy, even if they glowed.

And so, the patch of moss in the shadow of a nearby rock remained, watching and waiting. They began to realize, though, that the wolf was searching for something. She peered into the blackness beyond them, sniffing the air, maybe catching a hint of their breath. But comfortable in their power, Envy remained, knowing that they'd never be found unless they willed it.

"Speech."

Envy saw Kin-Kin's eyes flash over them at one point, only to move on. Their stomach clenched then in giddy pride, and they had to concentrate hard to stop a toothy grin rising on their face. But it seemed their triumph wasn't to last; the wolf spoke up, introducing herself as Kin-Kin, with titles and tidbits galore. It seemed that their wonder was well-placed, but it stung that they couldn't say the same. Or could they?

Envy remembered suddenly the title bestowed upon them by the glowing monster who'd approached them under cover of darkness. It was no champion or demigod (whatever that might be) but they thought it suited them perfectly. And hey, perhaps one day they could steal the title of Magickal Champion for themselves.

Jealous One who Sees in Blackness. Yes. That's me.

Envy's subtle eyes glittered hungrily, but they hesitated for a moment. Did they really want to blow the cover they'd worked so hard to create? Their pride wrestled with inborn jealousy, but in the end their namesake won; they simply had to get a taste of this wolf's magic, and steal it for themselves.

So, the weasel slunk out from their cover, the previously inconspicuous patch of moss rising and padding towards Kin-Kin, head low and lilac eyes glittering. They waited until they were sure she was looking, and then shed their disguise like water from a duck's back, sienna brown washing the green away. "And I'm Envy," they said coolly, as they rose up onto their hindpaws. "The Jealous One, who sees in Blackness."


"Speech."

Envy puffed themselves out at the mention of their name. They bared their little fangs, although it was unclear whether it was meant to be a grin or a snarl, hanging somewhere midway in between the two. "I did," they replied flatly, meeting her gaze with a gaze that was cool and icy. their tail flicked and twitched against the stony ground. "Why?"

They stood still as Kin-Kin examined them with violet scrutiny, fur along their spine bristling visibly. Their paws folded against their chest and met her stare evenly. They wanted to snap, to say stop staring at them like that, but they also needed to keep a clear head if they wanted to coerce this wolf into sharing some of her magic. So they remained silent, even though they looked visibly ruffled.

"P-party trick-!? " they squeaked finally, flabbergasted.

A sudden burst of cruel, harsh laughter rang out in their head, a voice that they'd almost managed to block out. Almost. They were given a rude reminder of their... unfortunate situation, as Dezba rudely invaded their mind.

BAH! HAHAHAHAHAAA!! Who called your magick a party trick?! I want to meet them!

Wherever Dezba was, and whatever she was doing, Envy hated that she was listening, hated that she could put them in this situation. They shook their head and tried to force the cackling voice back to the back of their mind.

Nobody asked for your opinion! Especially not me!

Envy brought themselves back to reality. They'd hidden right under Kin-Kin's nose, and yet it was worth nothing to her. The weasel puffed angrily, announcing their shrill displeasure. "It wasn't just a party trick! I hid right under your nose! It was incredible and you know it!" And then after a moment's consideration, they brushed their bristling whiskers straight and added frostily; "...Ma'am." But Kin-Kin's next question caused them to puff up straight and nod vigorously, before promptly feigning disinterest. "Yes! What can your magic do? How is it useful?"


"Speech."

"Well, what do you think I should be called, then?" Envy snapped, rather offended since they quite liked their name. they thought it suited them, and they thought it had a nice ring to it, even if it... maybe cut a bit too close to home. Well, when they were finally happy and had no reason to wear such a name anymore, then they'd find a new one.

I think you should be called Mediocrity, Dezba answered the question before Kin-Kin could, causing Envy to bristle again. Their cheeks flushed violently beneath their fur. They told themselves that she was wrong, but they felt anger threatening to overwhelm their outward projected emotions. They allowed their whiskers to twitch in irritation but otherwise, everything seemed normal.

I'll have you know that I'm better at magic than you'll ever be. I'm a prodigy. Everyone says so.

As if! Can you command the thorns to shred your enemies, to have the potential to force every plant in these caves bow down and serve you? I think not.

Envy's lip curled slightly in distaste, wondering if it was just all wolves that were like this. They'd not met a nice wolf, yet. What use are thorns when I could use fire to burn every single one of them to the ground? they thought back smugly. What use was plant magic to them? it seemed awfully temperamental, and that was when it worked. Too much could kill plants, too. They didn't want to make pretty fields to frolic through with their friends. They wanted power. But then again, from the feel of it, this wolf at least understood that.

Kin-Kin, on the other hand, was too smug and self-centred for their liking, and she wasn't nearly as impressed as they'd hoped she'd be. They huffed out a sigh and narrowed their eyes at her. This would be easiest if they could just learn her magic and go, but it didn't seem like it was going to be that simple. Luckily for Envy, Kin-Kin continued and started to discuss hr abilities. So she was light element. It was obvious when they thought about it. But they couldn't help finding their attention stolen by the 'trinket' she was carrying. Obviously, they wanted one, but it was far too big for them. it was large enough that they'd be able to sleep in it, and they doubted it'd be light enough to carry. Their shoulders sagged slightly in disappointment, but they looked up at Kin-Kin somewhat hopefully. "Can I have something like it?"

Kin-Kin's explanation didn't really clarify things for Envy, and the failure of their spell didn't help with that. What made light so special. The weasel's tail flicked impatiently. "How? Hurry up already, I want to learn!"

"Speech."

Envy bristled angrily at the wolf's words. None of those names would ever suit them! But they suffered in silence, paws on their chest, eyes narrowed and prickling with angry tears. They stared at kin-kin with a scathing glare for a long while, until finally they looked away, it took all of their acting muscles to pretend not to care, but they managed it. "Shut up," Envy seethed through gritted teeth, and then, more to make themselves feel better, added; "I'll be bigger than you, one day. You'll see."

No you won't. Dezba's ugly presence once again reared, fracturing the weasel's fragile ego. They clenched their teeth and tried to ignore it, physically at least, whilst inside their thoughts reeled and lashed back angrily.

Do you mind? they hissed mentally, hurt barely masked with anger trickling over the link. I wasn't even talking to you...

The weasel was relieved when Kin-Kin moved on to actually demonstrating their magic, and the weasel leaned in a little bit closer to see. As the jewel was pawed towards them, they stooped to pick it up, examining it, and using a pink paw to brush off the dirt. "That's it?" Envy asked, with a cold edge of disappointment in their tone. they'd been hoping for something they could wear and use, like the sword. this was pretty, but it was useless to them. The weasel turned the object in their paws. When it caught the lights of Orion it shimmered a vibrant blue, and it was a lot like the wolf's gem in appearance. They looked up from their 'gift' as Kin-Kin continued to speak, and her words caused them to flicker with hope. Light could make things appear that weren't there? Make elements that weren't theirs? A show of anything her heart desires?

Light sounded like Envy's kind of magic. The prospect excited them enough to drop the moonstone, its worthlessness forgotten.

"Show me."


"Speech."