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. "I guess you're right. I really appreciate it, Envy. It'll be nice to travel with someone for a while."

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. "So, where are we going to go first? Where have you been that's super awesome? I haven't really been anywhere super special yet but you must know some really great places in the caves!"

@Envy

In the brief silence that followed, Envy looked closely at Amazon and tried to work out if the quiet was a positive one. The tears they spotted in her eyes gave them a mixed response, and Envy thought for a fleeting second that they should have chosen their words more carefully. They had helped Amazon before, but as a king they needed to be more noble. But Amazon wouldn't back-talk her king, Envy thought. As a figure of royalty and strength, they could say whatever they wanted.

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. "I mean, I'd love to go everywhere! I heard there's a cave that's just full of trees! And one that's super windy and loud! And...and one completely covered with bones!" The last one, perhaps, she wouldn't want to visit for too long. Thinking of bones and corpses made her feel a little queasy, but she pushed it away. Now wasn't the time for weaknesses. "Well, what about you? What's your favorite place? Besides Orion of course."

@Envy

Envy's eyes widened minutely, tail twitching in excitement as Amazon presented a few ideas, of all the things that she'd heard. Of all of them, Envy had only been to Eridanus- the room full of trees. The others piqued their interest. "Ah, yes, yes! Eridanus! That's the room full of trees! I've been there!" The one full of bones piqued Envy's curiosity, and the room with loud wind; they thought that they'd ventured close to the windy one, so it must have been near Orion. "Do you want me to take you there first?"

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! "Yeah, Eridanus sounds great!" She wasn't sure she'd be able to climb the trees but maybe Envy would help her up. Or maybe she could just see the area! That would be really cool and Amazon was really looking forward to visiting this cool new place.

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. "Thanks Envy, I'm really excited to travel with you, but there's something I have to do first. Something I left in Polaris."

@Envy

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. "No, that's okay. I'd like to go myself. Besides, you have a kingdom to set in order. I'll be back soon." She wasn't completely honest, however. She had no idea how long the journey would take to reach Polaris on her stubby little legs. And how long she would spend there.

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. "I should probably get some rest. I'm going to leave tomorrow and it's a long way for a lizard as small as me."

@Envy

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