Amazon sighed and settled herself down. This was her new home, was it? All the way here in Orion? She didn't particularly hate it, she had been to Orion plenty of times but it was strange settling down. She had limited time and she now had a spot that she would stay for any length of time? How weird. There were so many places she could go, but here she was with her new family. She, the small little Amazon, with tiny legs and a terrible sickness. She hated it. She wished she could be like the others - tall, strong, swift...if she could be like Reign! They looked like they were built for speed. Or Pride, so noble and beautiful. Anything but this pathetic, tiny lizard.

She leaned forward over the tiny pool she had found. It was a perfect little spot - there was a little crevice in the rock next to her that would be perfect for a den and a nice little pool for her to drink from. She looked into the depths and saw herself reflected in the water. Her gem was prominent against her scales, which were reddening again. It seemed like each time she tried to heal herself, it would just go back the way it was. It was becoming less and less effective.

Frustrated, she lashed out at the pool with her head, shattering the reflection before whipping away angrily. That was a mistake, though, as her head suddenly started pounding and the ground seemed to tilt under her. She wobbled unsteadily, overstepping and falling forward with a groan. She didn't get up, though. Why should she?

@Envy

Envy's long, slim form undulated as they bounded, head low, vision set, away from the throne. They hadn't been king for very long, but Pride had advised them to check in with each member of their kingdom. They could still hardly believe that it was true- they were really, and truly, a king. Somehow, the feeling felt disconnected to the feeling in their heart- Pride had made it seem like there was so much more to it than being worshipped and groomed all the time.

Envy paused for a moment to sniff at the dusty air, catching a familiar scent.

They let out a grunt and pressed on, following the smell. They knew who it was; Amazon. The little lizard was easy to talk to, so she'd make good practice to hone their kingly visage. They'd seen her briefly when they'd re-emerged, but there had been so many there- so many bowing to them- that they'd hardly been able to pay heed. It was still ablur. One moment, they were awakening covered in slime and aching with cramps- the next, they were a king. All of this had happened whilst they'd been sleeping. Somehow it was less rewarding to know that their kingdom forming had nothing to do with them. Somehow, it made them feel like it could be ripped away just as easily.

Envy shook their head, trying to shake away the thoughts. They'd come to the edge of a small pool- probably a mere puddle to a larger gembound. But it was rippling, and at the edge they saw the source. They raised their quills slightly, and approached, holding their head high with its small and glistening crown.

But something was wrong.

"Amazon?"



When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Amazon

Amazon almost jumped out of her scales when she heard the voice. She whipped around and saw Envy approaching, their head held high and the little crown glistening on their head. She hadn't had a chance to talk to her new king since the kingdom had been settled. She had just kind of followed them along. "E-Envy!"

As she watched them approach, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of admiration. Despite knowing that she was lesser then them, younger, smaller, and weaker, she couldn't help but feel so proud of them. They had told her about their own troubles, especially with their gem, and it moved her to know that someone with a problem just like hers was able to push through so valiantly to become a king.

The thought made her remember that she was, in fact, in the presence of a king. It was strange to bow before him, but she did so, anyways. "Sorry, I mean, King Envy. Um, what can I do for you?"

@Envy

Envy was surprised, but also gratified, by the nervousness that she showed when she noticed their presence. It amused them, almost, as they slunk forward to settle by her side. There was no need to stand in front of Amazon; their long neck made them tall enough- so they saved their energy. They watched in wonder and pride the effect their presence had, nodding approvingly as she bowed, the heavy tip of their tail twitching.

They waved a paw dismissively as she apologized, ever-honourable. So long as she referred to them as king in the future, it was fine- though... not that they'd admit it, it did feel a little strange. Exciting, but still strange.

"You don't need to do anything. I just came to talk," they reassured, sinking coolly down on their belly before her. Their legs were so short that the loss in height hardly made a difference. "How've you been enjoying life with the Sinful Seven? -Well. I know it hasn't been long. But... still." They waited, a little anxiously, for her response. Of course it hadn't been long. Things were still settling down. Not all of them were used to living in Orion. But Envy still couldn't help waiting with bated breath and hoped for what they were wanting to hear.



When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Amazon

It wasn't much of a bow, since Amazon's head was always so close to the ground, but Envy seemed to appreciate it anyways. The movement made her head spin even more, though, so she was a little more careful when she raised it again. They seemed to regal there, sitting before her, so confident. She was envious of them and their certainty. She remembered having been at least a little more confident in herself earlier in her life. But now it was different. She had no hope.

The question was a little bit of a surprise. They had only come to talk with her? She thought that they would rather want to talk to Pride or Greed or something. Someone important. Not her, who had joined on a whim. But, then again, they were friends, right? ...no, Envy was too good to be her friend now.

"Oh, um," she stumbled on her words for a moment, trying to think past her headache to come up with a suitable answer. "Well, it's okay. I'm still getting used to the idea of living near so many others. I traveled and lived alone, ya know? I've never really had companions before now." She felt herself get a little more comfortable as she spilled out what she was thinking, although she still avoided the thoughts that were really on her mind. "But I like the Sinful Seven. They're all...uh, well, most of them are pretty nice and cool. I could get used to this for now."

@Envy

Envy listened, catlike eyes flitting over her changing expressions and body, taking in the sight of the little lizard, who, over the cycles, had barely changed. But they thought, she seemed a little different. Less upbeat, maybe. She seemed preoccupied, if they could make an assumption. They realized that they'd been staring, and glanced away for a moment.

"I see," they said, with an edge of thoughtfulness. They took in her words, and were pleased, to an extent. They reasoned that she'd have a lot more time in the future to get used to it. "What do you mean, most of them? Is someone causing problems?" Envy narrowed their eyes slightly, a spark of frustration in their chest at the thought. No-one should be mean to anyone. As King, that was their job. Someone would be getting a kingly talking to later.

Amazon's use of 'for now' also grated them a little bit. Their spines quivered as she finished speaking. They flexed their claws against the stony ground, feeling their pads clinging to even the tiniest pores in the brickwork. "As your king, it's my job to make sure you feel at home." ...And keep you here.


When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Amazon

Amazon widened her eyes and shook her head quickly as she caught onto Envy's suspicion. "Oh, no that's not it. It's just, well, Greed makes me uncomfortable and Pride kind of intimidates me. But don't get me wrong, they're not causing trouble, it's just my first impressions. There's still some more time to get to know them." She didn't want to be among strangers, no, she wanted to like them. She thought that she might get along pretty well with Lust and Reign seemed nice as well. And, of course, Envy, but they were King now. She couldn't be friends with them like she was before.

She noticed the quiver in Envy's spines and realized that, perhaps, she had spoken wrong. She reminded herself that this was something Envy had wanted for a long time - to be a King and having subjects probably meant a lot to them. If she just up and left, they might take it personally. She took a breath and tried to steady herself. She didn't want to slip up on something and make things worse. "I know that, and I know you'll do a good job. It's just...I want to see things. I appreciate having a home and finally feeling like I belong somewhere, but you know...you know that I don't, well, don't have as much time as the rest of you. I promised myself when I was young that I was going to see everything. I don't know how long I have and there's still so much I'd like to see."

@Envy

Envy paused for a moment at the mention of the name. "Greed?" they asked distractedly, before a moment later raising their spines in realization. They remembered what Pride had told them, about Reseda and her name choosing for Pride. How, in brief passing, she'd referred to herself as Greed. Envy thought it had been a fleeting thing; after all, Pride and Lust still called her Reseda. Had she decided to change it forever? "You mean Reseda? The big lizard?" They paused, then waved a paw dismissively. "Don't worry! If she gets up to anything fishy, me and Pride will deal with her."

It might have seemed in a way like empty reassurance, but Envy and Pride had spoken of the big lizard before. And although Envy hoped that with her acceptance of their kingship they would be free of troubles, they couldn't forget the conversation they and Pride had had. The name... 'greed'... it aroused their suspicions once again. Reseda was one of their subjects, like everyone else. She was subject to their rules, and however ironic given their names, she'd just have to deal with it.

They twitched the end of their tail, the sharpened edge knocking softly against the stone they lazed on. They blinked in thought, the smile fading from their lips as she spoke of dying- of having little time left. They didn't want Amazon to leave, of course, especially since she might never come back. They knew the wanderlust well themselves. Often before becoming king they'd felt the need to explore and run, and had simply let their paws carry them to new places throughout the caves. "You know... I'd hate to see you just leave and never come back," they drawled, quills shivering softly. "You could always live here and take trips. This could be like your home base. Or even..."

Envy's quills sprung suddenly erect with excitement and they stood on four paws. "I could take you! We could go together. A king needs a day off, sometimes!" It was perfect! Envy could keep an eye on Amazon and fulfill their kingly duties of keeping her a part of the Seven- and it meant they could fulfill their own wandering urges from time to time. It was a win-win-win! Amazon wasn't gonna be leaving- or dying- without them having something to do with it. They grinned triumphantly as they awaited her response.


When I speak.

When I think.



________________
@Amazon

Amazon nodded in confirmation - the lizard made her uncomfortable, despite helping her make it to the meeting the first day. But it wasn't her problem. She wasn't a king nor was she the king's adviser. Even if she was she couldn't do much. After all, she was a tiny lizard with no magic.

She sighed and looked away guiltily. She didn't want to disappoint her king, not so soon after she joined the seven sins. But it wasn't like she was talking of leaving now. There were things she wanted to do...had to do. Like the gem waiting for her in Polaris. And all the caves left undiscovered. "Yeah, that's what I was planning, it's just..."

She trailed off at Envy's suggestion and turned back to them with surprise. She hadn't actually expected Envy to want to travel with her. She hadn't really expected them to even want her in their kingdom in the first place, considering all of her weaknesses. "A-are you sure? But your a king! You can't go travelling with someone like me! You have responsibilities and people to watch over!" She broke off and looked down again, a little embarrassed for a moment. She didn't really want to push Envy away from it. It was one thing she really wanted, to not travel alone. And especially with someone she connected with so well. "I mean, I would love it if you came along I just don't want to be a burden on the kingdom."

@Envy

The weasel felt relief rippling through their quills as Amazon said she'd planned to travel that way anyways- which pleased them. At least they wouldn't be losing any of their subjects. Envy grinned at the surprise apparent on the little lizard's face at their suggestion. "Sure? Of course I'm sure!" they trilled excitedly. They listened as she questioned whether they were really sure- and even regaled them slightly, to which they simply smirked. "That's right! I am a king... which means I can do whatever I like! Including making sure that one of my loyal subjects is safe."

Amazon's words struck them as she put herself down at the same time as placing them on a pedestal. It was oddly jarring and yet brought a bubble of pride welling in their chest.

They paused as Amazon reminded them of their responsibilities to their kingdom- so many responsibilities, and waved their tail again in a slow motion. "Well... I won't be gone long. Pride can always find me if I'm needed. And one of my responsibilities is you, anyway!" They chuckled a little before baring sharp teeth in a grin. "Listen- the others can defend themselves. Pride, Greed, Wrath, Lust.... Either they're big and intimidating or they've got, like... wings or something. But you're..." they paused. "You're you. The others can take care of themselves, but I don't think I want you leaving on your own."

In an ideal world, every single one of the Sinful Seven would remain with them at all times. Pride, they usually kept track of-Lust, too. And they liked to think they kept a good eye on Reseda. But the rest were... spotty. Envy didn't know them so well. They'd like it if each of them told them when they were leaving and where- but there were so many that Envy couldn't keep track of all of them all the time. The thought aggravated them slightly- they were a king after all. But if they could at least keep track of Amazon, they would be pleased.


When I speak.

When I think.



________________

@Amazon