#cordyiceps

Everyday work was particularly difficult today, goodness knows why. Standing next to the theatre, Zasp is trying his hardest to write down in his notes what exactly he was doing today, and it was not very easy when his hands were shaking and he was somewhat swaying on his feet. He felt like bugs must be eyeing him as if he was drunk.

He let out a stressed sigh, he feels lightheaded. He still has work to do though. He didn't like how much things were getting to him either. He felt bugs looking at him every now and then, and it was making him want to hide. They probably thought it was funny that he was struggling with such simple things. Maybe they were finding it amusing that he was hurt, with the bandage covering the harsh cracks on the side of his head.

Why did it bother him?

It shouldn't matter that bugs treated him the way they did. It wasn't like he meant much. He was an outsider. He didn't need respect, or sympathy. No one was obliged to care about some wasp like him. He didn't expect anyone to even like him.

And yet, someone apparently did.

A squeak left the wasp at the sudden voice, jolting to sit upright and look up at the owner. There was a part of him that was relieved to see that it was Leif. Then there was a part that really wishes the other hadn't found him in such a state. He could feel he was shaking, he only hopes it isn't noticeable.

"I'm...fine. Don't worry about it. I was just getting ready to, uh...head back."

He only meant to rest for a few minutes. Instead, he's been sitting in the grass for quite a bit longer trying to get things to stop spinning. There was a sharp ache in his head and it felt abnormally hot. He knew the weather had been warming back up, but this didn't feel right.

The voice is unexpected and the wasp is startled back into reality as he looks up to see Leif, and he feels anxiety grip his chest. He looks exhausted, like he hasn't slept in days, and he stutters while he tries, pitifully, to not seem as ragged as he obviously is.

It had been quite some time since Zasp had last gotten the chance to hang out with Leif, since the talent show they'd last attended together in fact. The wasp glanced up, tilting his head. "What brought this on all of a sudden?" he asked. If it was in reference to Mothiva being his inspiration, well, he couldn't call himself surprised considering she and Team Snakemouth had never exactly been on the best of terms. Since the Golden Settlement's harvest festival, in fact...

It was no real secret that wasps did not do well in the cold. Naturally, it made them tired, sluggish, which was unfortunate for this one. He had work to do. He had requests to catch up on. But every time he tried reading his own handwriting in his notes, it started looking foreign until he tried again. Fair enough, it was a lot more sloppy than usual.

Zasp's antennae twitch when he thinks he hears something, but it doesn't fully register until he looks over and blinks at the moth approaching him. Leif... Wait, Leif. His wings gave a short buzz under his cloak when he appeared to snap into awareness finally and he looked around the current area anxiously. He only relaxes marginally after that, before he turns his attention back to Leif with a tired confusion.

True enough, Mothiva usually has her wasp glued to her side, but there were times that wasn't the case. Much to his dismay, but someone had to do the errands and they both knew it wasn't going to be her.

What Zasp isn't expecting, while his gaze is focused down on a written list of reminders in his hand, is his name to be called by a familiar voice. He jumps with a buzz of his wings as his attention snaps to Leif, and his expression goes from bewildered to firm irritation while his eyes narrow. He merely huffs and turns his gaze back down when he speaks. Thankfully, there's not much left to do until later, so sparing some time here won't hurt.

The dream demon sat cross-legged on the edge of the dream gate’s fountain, hands positioned as if grasping a flute, a gentle breeze ruffling the many trees nearby. Given the current season being that of winter, the dream gate had changed to match, with a light dusting of snow covering the entire area and any water, including the fountain, had frozen to a near mirror shine.