Effluvium backed away from the corpse. The small form of Creosote wasn't worth it at this point. Especially with the other creature looming over it. It didn't want to fight for it, if that creature would attack it in turn. Fish didn't work together, at least. A brief thought crossed its mind. These might be greaters.

Effluvium did not eat not-foods. Its train of thought derailed fast. Effluvium felt the telltale tug of claws in its side. Effluvium's eyes bared its teeth at Karambit. These creatures wouldn't leave it alone. Then, for the first time, it spoke to them.

"OFF!" It demanded in a growl-scream. "OFF EFFLUVIUM!" It roared. Effluvium attempted to shake, to rid itself of the newborn bug creature. But as Effluvium moved, things went awry. It wasnt paying attention, and it lost its balance, falling to the sand. Its muscles shifted as it fell, and the claws of Karambit dug deeper between the bundles of muscles. A scream of rage left it. Effluvium wanted out. It wanted out NOW.

"When I speak."

When I think.

@Karambit
@Creosote
@Terror

Fracture my spine

Its parent’s demands did not penetrate the happy fog that ensnared the gangly insect creature. Growls, screams, and displays of teeth warped into affectionate responses. Heart—wherever it was, whatever it looked like—soaring, it stubbornly held on and swapped one droning noise for another.

“Rmmmm… Fluvvvvvv.” The change was not an improvement. “Vvvvvvv—”

A sudden drop, and its legs were yanked down. Previously suspended in air, it fell like an anchor, body of flesh and keratin crashing into a moist back. The meat squelched as the collapse drove the creature’s claws deeper within.

“—eeeeee!”

If this were closer to an ordinary child’s reaction, the shriek might’ve been better approximated to a shout of, “Weeee!” Addled brain even further rattled about by the change of altitude, the entire situation appeared to it an absurd version of a piggyback ride. Unbothered, it pressed flat against the older monster, sucking in the revolting stench of rot as if it were a particularly fragrant perfume. Uncaring of mouths and consequences, it nuzzled Effluvium, consumed by the desire to drown in the comfort of its parent’s scent.

Then its mandibles sought a bite. Because that’s exactly what children do to their loved ones. Of course.

And swear that you're mine

"Get up,"

It was tired.

"Get up!"

It hurt.

A few of it's eyes blinked open, blearily staring up at it's concerned sibling. It stood, wobbling in place, leaning against Terror if it allowed it to. A quiet whimper escaped it. "H-hurt..." It whined, limping forward. As hurt and tired as it was, the need to escape the horrible monster that had done this was worse.

It lumbered forward, slowly, haltingly, but persistently. Occasionally it'd falter, falling to the ground and struggling back to it's feet.

I let my horns grow longer
I observed my skin get redder