Fear Itself

Instantly, he straightens up, averting his eyes back to Oz as he speaks again: “Right, then! Sorry ‘bout that, Scopo. Forgive my rudeness, but it is lovely to meet you both.”

“Manifesting a phobia is fascinating stuff. I haven’t got a little friend to carry ‘round on my shoulder, but I do have this.” He opens his palm, showing Oz the back of his hand–where there’s an eye, as blood red and unblinking as the eyes gazing down on them. “There are two more where that came from. Used to give me powers. I think. But all that hasn’t worked since I first got here. Now they’re just sort of creepy, I’m afraid.”

Scopo slowly pokes their head back from behind Oz’s shoulder and chirrups in response to the other’s happy introduction.

☛ “That means it’s nice to meet you as well.”

Oz watches in amazement as Molly displays his hand from which an eye stares back at them. It’s a bit unsettling, but gods if it isn’t interesting. They’re tempted to touch it, but they’ve learned from a few bad experiences that it’s frowned upon to touch a beast’s extra eyes.