The crysilias, which in the beginning had been comfortable and safe, had started to overstay its welcome. Now, it was constricting, the serpent within couldn't breath. Worst of all, there was a gnawing in her center, one that no amount of writhing was dispelling.

Breathing, hunger. Both which she needed to survive, she needed to fulfil to live. She twisted in her newfound prison, eager to break away, rip it to shreds. However, she found herself with no assistance, her whole body lacking limbs that might make the task easier.

She thrashed the best she could, and within the nearly clear containment, a dark mouth yawned open to eat a way to freedom the best she could.

Since being reborn, the weasel hadn’t ventured far from Orion- not even very far from the throne really. And especially not very far from Pride or the other strong Sins. But the wanderlust had gripped them once again, and the weasel had become antsy, yearning to run, and bounce, and wander like they had before. More than anything, they missed the gush of magic through their being- and so after much deliberation, King Envy returned to Polaris, glittering golden crown atop their head.

They’d come the long way round to assure that there were no nasty run-ins- but even so, now that they were here, the weasel felt their heart constantly skipping, fear driving them to patter on, weaving through the rocks with urgency. This was the place they had died, and they realized now that it would never feel the same. And so they didn’t linger long. After a bounding run along the riverside, they began to return- only to stumble upon a chrysalis. It was unbroken, but creaking its readiness. The weasel stopped in their tracks and rose onto their hind paws as they prepared to give the young one a royal welcoming party, crown glistening proudly and green fur well-groomed.

@Kaida

Crack!

The neonate fell forward out of her casing, breath bubbling, and my...she was big. Even young, the serpent clearly had a big size as she writhed around. But that wasn't a thought she was considering at the moment. Thoughts spun around her head, birthing words for any feeling she felt. She was frost...freezing...cold! Her cranium...braincase...head hurt!

Not noticing the other creature nearby at first, the snake raised her head groggily and gasped in abject shock. Another casing was around her. Another chrysalis? Much much...large...bigger than the last? She wasn't sure she could wait long enough to grow into this one!

Finally, her tongue flicked out for the first time, and the scent of another hit her like a blow. Instantly, her head whipped towards Envy. One part of her relished the meat in front of her, the gnawing could be fulfilled easily with food. However, another, bigger part of her registered fear in a possible enemy, and she responded accordingly. Raising off the floor, she hissed. An odd sensation filled her mouth, electricity leaping to try and connect to the other jaw in her panicked threat display.


@Envy

Envy raised their head a little higher in expectation as the chrysalis cracked, sending the newborn serpent sprawling, oozing almost, onto the cave floor. It was a snake; in fact, an almost familiar one. Envy puzzled briefly over the feeling before recognizing where they’d ‘seen’ her before. Of course! They remembered the sudden appearance of Wrath- the blind snake in their kingdom. They liked Wrath- felt something of a connection to her, probably down to the semi-shared difficulties of their gem.

They looked up suddenly as the snake let out a hiss, spines prickling upright from their back. They bared their teeth, swaying to meet her motions, and tail giving a nervous whip back and forth. They eyed the newborn warily, but didn’t retreat- lowering their head, they used a paw to pointedly adjust the bejeweled crown that Pride had made for them. Even though they felt a small flower of fear blooming inside of them, a king had a royal visage to keep up.

They watched, then, the sparks of magic- unimpressive at best, and shook their head disapprovingly. ”That’s no way to face a King!” they shrilled commandingly. ”Pride won’t be pleased when he hears about this. I suggest you treat me with a little more respect! You don’t get a free pass just for being new, you know!”

Envy had met plenty of well-mannered newborns in their time. At least, they thought they had. They’d also still hated every one of them. But more out of jealousy than anything else. But now they were a king! They had a head above this baby snake already. And if she tried to eat them, well, she’d end up with more than one spine to think about. Envy rattled their quills, letting out a faint, rasping hiss of their own.



@Kaida - OOC: by the way, for rolls! Often peeps will mark their post with an “attempt” note at the top of the post and then post it to see what the results of the roll are, then edit in the IC results after! It should make things easier and it’s so much better for fights!

Speech...Words? The creature was speaking! The shift in attitude was astounding, the hissing quit, and her eyes filled with a certain softness. Some kind of comfort filled the young serpent, who started to wind down and tilted her head, tongue flicking up and out in sheer curiosity. "King?" She burbled in a slurred tone, "Issss you?" Their name was King? Was that it?

While knowledge was slowly making its way into the new one's brain, she wasn't truly intelligent about these matters yet. The fact that she was slowly deciding to herself that this creature must be called King should have been evidence of this. "K-King. I isss Kaida. My name." Somehow, a spark of pride flitted through her, her hissing wasn't invading her words too badly that time!


@Envy

The newborn could talk then. That was a good start. Envy gave the snake a brisk nod, careful not to jerk the crown on their head onto the ground by accident. The quills down their neck began to lie flatter. ”Yes! A King. I’m King Envy!” the weasel introduced themselves and grandly splayed their stubby forelimbs as though expecting applause. This was of course, despite the fact that snakes didn’t have arms. ”Ruler of the Sinful Seven!”

Seemingly in a thrill of excitement, their quills once again perked up. They cocked their head slightly, rounded ears perking, as the snake gave a name of her own. They straightened for a moment, seeming to consider the information they were given for a second before offering a nod. They couldn’t help wondering where these kids always seemed to get such fancy names from- they seemed to be pulled right from the ass of oblivion half the time. Whereas Envy’s was, aside from some of the other Sinful Seven, one of the most literal names they’d ever heard. They hated it, but they were stuck with it now. ”Kaida. Got it,” the weasel offered, showing no sign of their inner scorn. They were getting good at this kingly business. They decided to continue the trend. What was it that made newborns happy? ”Are you hungry, Kaida?”

Envy marvelled- almost a little disgusted at themselves- that since becoming king, somehow they’d done more for others than before. A king wasn’t meant to work! But they liked earning new followers far too much for their own good, and their insatiable wanderlust didn’t do well for sitting around and being groomed all the time. No matter. They were sure that everything would fall into place as more time passed.

@Kaida

Ah. The ssseven." Kaida repeated, although she had no idea what this Envy meant. Was it seven creatures? Because that didn't seem an impressive pack...group...whatever. She couldn't just try to run away though, without figuring out who these seven were. She didn't want to be eaten if she ended up angering this king. "I underssstand." No she didn't though she could pretend, couldn't she? Her voice still had a element of fear, especially when Envy's quills stood up, but she didn't dare attack. What if the Seven attacked her then? She would if she had a...friend? Was that the word?

And then. A mention of food.

Kaida's head shot straight up like a dog. "Food? M-meat!?" Her eyes glittered, and her tail lashed briefly like a dog's, already eager to fill her stomach.


@Envy

"You've heard of us?" Envy was surprised that the young one had heard of their kingdom- they hadn't been together long, after all. But she'd just hatched... Envy realized that she was probably just trying to act smart. They grunted softly, the edge of their mouth twitching- but they didn't press the matter.

They grinned as the snake became suddenly excited at the mention of food, though Envy couldn't help a shiver run through them themselves at the thought of eating. It was more a shudder of disgust than of pleasure. They did have the grace to look slightly sheepish as the little one made their dietary interests clear, as it wasn't what they'd intended, to say the least. Though Envy would never admit it, they'd never hunted in their life. They hadn't even eaten since they were born. "W-well... food. Not, ah... Well, you'll see. it's better."

Then, Envy sucked In their breath and began to harness their magic. Their fur glistened and shimmered. There was a moment of pause, before a hollow pop echoed in the air In front of them. Envy twisted and bounced off the energy surging through them as a couple of handsomely curved yellow banana, popped into existence and tumbled to the ground In front of them, the sweet scent meeting their nostrils in a moment. They looked at Kaida proudly and sat back on their haunches expectantly.

When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Kaida

Better? Could whatever this king have in store for her be better than meat!? Kaida's eyes widened noticeably and she curled in place as she awaited what she assumed must be a miracle food if it was better than meat! Just the thought made her gasp when Envy used their magic, and then she paused.

What was this ugly thing?. Kaida looked up, around, and then back at the banana, tongue flicking out curiously. Still, let it not be said that she didn't try to bite into it...it just was terrible the moment she did so. Her tail lashed, and a hiss escaped her jaws as she sent a surge of static into the banana, letting it smoke satisfactorily as electricity surged between her jaws and flung it at Envy. "That not food!" She snarled furiously, Awful! Awful!" One second she had been grateful, now she was spitting in rage. Really, it would not be the last.


@Envy

Envy was taken aback as the snake rejected their gift with violent disapproval after barely giving it a go. "Alright, so you don't like it. There's no need to be a dick about it!" Envy shrilled indignantly as they smelled a sweet, mushy scent of burned banana. "At least pretend to like it." They felt a little sick despite the pleasantness of the scent, and at the same time, hunger gnawed at their insides. When they were sure that the serpent had finished sparking, they crept nearer and clawed at the yellow skin.

"Besides, that's not even the good bit." They managed to paw open a slit, exposing the paler innards- but after that, they backed off in disgust. The thought of eating anything at this point was hard to stomach- but they could at least absorb it- although they didn't think that'd lead to the desired side effect. Determined to try, Envy poked the spike of their tail into the fruit, and felt it disintegrate into a gross mush.

But it was worth it- a moment later, they felt a tingling sensation in their skin, and when they raised their paws to take a look, they found themselves glistening. Triumphantly, the weasel stood tall and proud and hoped the snake would regret spurning their gift.

When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Kaida