Neverwinter Forest once in a while

"Yeah, they were really gross to eat. My brother tricked me into eating one once, with him. It made our tongues glow," he said with a soft chuckle. "I think he just did it to make me laugh though. It was pretty funny." The memory was one of his more vivid ones. Makoto, one year his senior, grinning broadly and helping him catch a firefly to eat. Both of their tongues bioluminescent for a while afterward. Their mother scolding them. 

Another laugh pealed from his maw as Orochi confirmed his suspicions. Yep. He was heavier. "All muscle, of course," he boasted, tail swishing behind him. It wasn't all muscle, but... well, he had enough to brag about. Maybe more, if he continued training. "You're better than me, at sparring. I need to work on that," he mused aloud, thinking to who else in the pack he might be able to spar with.

And then Orochi was describing himself. Hide didn't know why, but he'd always pictured blond, not brown, when he thought of his companion. Brown fit better, though - especially the multiple tones. It sounded unique, and while his mental picture wasn't perfect, it was better than it was before. He didn't know why he'd been so nervous to ask what Orochi looked like.

"I knew about your leg. Only three paws hit the ground when you're walking, so your gait's uneven. It's a really good way to recognize you," he pointed out with a small smile, blinking slowly as he faced the other boy. His eyes widened at the mention of his eye color. "Your eyes are two different colors?" he asked, eagerly. "I didn't know that could happen! That's super cool. I bet you look amazing!" He sounded like he did, at least. And with their spars, he knew Orochi was all lean muscle. Hide would forever lament not being able to actually see him.

He offered his companion and small nudge with his nose to his shoulder. "I'd ask what I looked like, but I know I'm just like... red and spiky. My fur never even stayed down when I could see it when I groomed it, and I'm sure it's worse now," he admitted, huffing out a short laugh. "I don't look gross, do I?" Ungroomed, unkempt, not taken care of. He wondered if his physical appearance was just repulsive these days.