Black Morass lacus

for @Envy <3

atilius stalked the morass like a specter. it was humid even in mid winter, gnats swarming around his face and moisture clinging to his fur like a wet embrace. the only reprieve was the pressing but mild chill in the air.

he shuddered, turning his gaze to the trickle of the stream near his feet. he saw himself in it. the prematurely graying fur along his chin. his crooked nose, the scars along the bridge. his dark eyes.

he felt something unknown stir within his belly and, without even thinking, he slammed his fist down into the water with a force that roared as the splash ricocheted.

he wasn't even quite sure why he was so angry with himself.

atilius sighed, eased himself down into the water, and as if nothing has happened, he began to bathe.

Envy was never shy about watching.

Ogling. That was the right word. Her eyes lingering on the usual object of her attraction; all those nasty imperfections.

Look at that fucked up face, hardship etched in strokes of muted red, a touch by his eye, a touch to his chest, she found herself almost jealous, not having been there to see them when they were given. Not there to fix them better than how they'd already healed. Her nails flexed against the cold earth.

This one was new, and the wretch grew curious, following him when Ione had released her for the day. While his back was turned, and his focus set on washing away the worries of the day, Envy appeared at the cusp of the water, her head crooned to the side, big-eyed as her form peered over his own while he lay half submerged.

Hey! You seem angry. she states her astute observation, social customs abandoned as she interrupts his bath.

startled wasn't quite the word for what atilius felt as the sharp call rang out from behind him. it was more like frightened. he jumped as he felt the puff of breath on the back of his neck, water rocking around him in uneasy ripples, and he instinctively lunged forward in preparation to strike.

he stopped as soon as he saw her.

this... puny little creature, all skin and bones and wiry gray fur. the guilt came colliding down upon him and his face softened. a true roman never laid a hand upon a woman.

he sighed exasperatedly, a long, drawn out exhale. it's not your business. or anyone else's. can i help you with something?

Hm. Just an observation. She shrugs, pulling back and skipping around the edge of the water, halting abruptly on the opposite end. He sighed, he tried to ignore her.

Can't have that now, could we.

Well y'could put on more of a show. She drawled teasingly, eyes of cardinal-red locked onto him now, as her head lowered down to hang between pearly forelimbs, braced on either side, tensed to—

jump.

She hit the water with a small splash, sending a small wave in her wake, shattering the stillness, the monotony he once enjoyed. No more!

Wretched silver drifted through the water, stopping once her face was right in his own, her attention on the scars that marked his face. How'd'ya get these? She queried, almost innocently, intrigue alight in the red of her eye.

she observed him. atilius felt like he was under the eyes of a vulture rather than a woman's; the blood red followed him as he sank down beneath the current once more, hungry in a feverish way and glistening in the light. he bit back a scoff, breathing out through his nostrils rhythmically. you wouldn't want to see that.

she coasted the bank with her long thin legs, all spider-like and wiry, and atilius allowed his own gaze to rove over her, this scraggly little urchin. the tips of her ears scarcely reached the height of his shoulders.

she'd make a strange lay.

her obnoxious manner of colliding with the river sent a ripple of droplets toward atilius's face. water trickled down into his throat through his nostrils. he shot her a look, dark and looming. she was pushing it.

you don't want to know.