Charity was running them ragged. Despite Pride's offer to babysit, blessed relief from their daughter's rampant appetite and constant need for attention came few and far between. But what did Wnvy care? It meant that they were the one to praise and scold her, they were the one to teach her how to recognize authority and how to present herself as the kingdom's rightful prince. They fed her, and they groomed her, and they kept her right. If she yelled or cried or looked too tired or walked in a manner not befitting of her royal blood, then they were the one to make sure she knew. It was always the same routine.

She was, by anyone's definition, theirs.

But somehow, the way Charity squealed with joy when Pride arrived made their insides curl with upset. they longed for the day she greeted them like that when returning to relieve Pride of his fatherly duties, but as the days flashed by, blending together, she seemed only to want him more. They always greeted her with a hello and a nuzzle befitting of a loving mother, but no matter how often they scolded her for being ungrateful, she never seemed any happier to see them, and always seemed to ask for Pride.

To her, Envy mused with only half their heart, Pride was a novelty. He was mysterious and beautiful, appearing and then disappearing and returning with wondrous stories of all the things he'd done. He was something to look u to in every sense of the word- where Envy, despite their care, had quickly been outgrown and outshone.

And how was Charity to know the value of their lessons when she hated them? Perhaps one day she would understand, but they wished she'd hurry up and suck it up. They were beginning to grow frustrated, ever tightening their leash.

Charity, in her youth, didn't seem to notice. Nor did she seem to care.

Pride seemed to be the only thing she cared about.

Envy's tail flicked, scraping against the stone beneath them. Raised quills framed their emaciated frame. They watched her from where they perched, hiding the exhaustion and the envy that, more than it had before, felt like it was tearing them apart.

Speech. Thought.

Charity played at the foot of the throne, oblivious to the scrutiny and restlessness of her mother, the King. The young Prince was playing with an amethyst which, unbeknownst to her, Pride had Presented Envy before she'd even emerged. She batted it away from her with a stubby paw before waddling after it. The weasel was unusually silent; but Charity didn't dwell on that fact. So long as she wasn't being scolded, she was content.

After a while, she tired of her game, and, leaving the glistening jewel in the middle of the floor, pattered back. Realising then that the weasel glanced warningly at her, she twitched back her ears and obediently shuffled back to pick up the amethyst, laying down at the foot of the throne.

She looked up at Envy, now, expectantly. But they were still quiet. The newborn was growing antsy, and her tail beat at the stony ground. She combed the fur of her chest with one little paw, an absent gesture that she had learned from them. And even though she continued to watch them, they said nothing.

Charity's ears flicked back and she lay down with a sigh, thoughts of boredom- and how to deal with that boredom- running rampant through her mind. Finally, she looked up at them, and tilted her head to one side. "When will Pride be coming back?"

@Felina

Felina was upset. The white hare she found vanished right after she found it. She also couldn't get over the guilt of leaving a certain black kitten behind in a hole she just about fit into.

She needed to think. Perhaps a stroll in the sudden coolness that filled The Cave. It was uncomfortable, but maybe the cold was what she needed right now.

Before long, she reached Orion.The glimmering crystals made it easy to show that the female bobcat was smaller than normal for her species. A runt, even.

Since it was so quiet, Felina thought she was alone. Two scents her nose picked up proved otherwise. The sight of two figures a few feet ahead of her revealed the source of the scents. She kept her distance, wary of them both.

One figure ((Envy)) was on what looked like a throne. The second one ((Charity)) was settled just under the "throne". Felina felt something in the air that centered on both beings. Tension? She wasn't sure. It made sense to stay where she was and just observe for now.

((OOC: It's OK for Envy to pick up Felina's scent.))


@Envy, @Charity

Envy felt their heart sink sharply at Charity's question, and they quickly took in a breath to stop themselves spitting a response. But before they could scold her, a new scent on the air caught their attention.

With the openness of the Throne Room, it was impossible not to notice the arrival of a stranger. And as she appeared, a slinking feline, Envy stood tall, holding their head high with golden crown glistening. They straightened, skinny chest puffed out. They stared for a moment, eyes narrowed minutely; the cat was massive compared to them. They tried not to think about it too much, but sucked in their breath and prepared to speak.

"Welcome. You stand in the presence of King Envy, of the Sinful Seven. Have you come to join my kingdom?" The voice that spoke was monotone as though recited from a book, but not unhopeful. It was satisfyingly even, and unreadable, given their emotional state.


Speech. Thought.

Charity raised her head as their parent spoke, looking out into the darkness. She sat up, swishing her tail, and flicking her ears, the golden necklace she wore softly jingling with the sharpness of the motion. Suddenly all thoughts of Pride were forgotten as she thought about what Envy had taught her. Head high, chest out, tail up, legs straight...

She waddled over to investigate, holding her head high and trying to look noble as she declared- "and I'm Prince Charity," before glancing at Envy to make sure she was doing it right- she expectantly awaited their approval- or their scorn.

Although she was plump, she was already long and slim like her parent, and already showing traces of Pride's influence- her wiry fur longer than Envy's, and with a radiant sheen. She possessed none of their sharp boniness that told tales of a life lived on the brink of starvation. Her smooth skull had begun to develop the nubs that might one day grow into antlers. Oh yes, she was a fine Prince indeed.

@Felina