How to ask....

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Ever since he had joined Kezrue's group, Pho'Bous was actually feeling.... somewhat happy. She was so kind to him, and so was everyone else. He didn't even have to do much work according to her, but he was still sure to work himself to the bone just to assure that she'd stay happy with him. It was almost funny to him, how worried she'd get about how much he was working, she had promised him not much after all! But it made him so happy for once in his like to be so helpful. 

That's why when he noticed something wrong, he hid it. He was scared she'd get mad at him for changing, even if it wasn't his fault. What had changed? You might ask, well, his tongue had turned a pitch black. Now he only looked even uglier, he thought to himself. And worse, he noticed another change later, he noticed that when he was feeling extreme emotion of any kind his flesh would tint a new color, anything not hidden by thick fur. Such as his paw pads. 

Every day he hid these changes, eating completely alone whenever he could and trying to hide exposed flesh. The second of which luckily was easily excused by the terribly cold weather. But the first? He loved eating with other people before, so that was quite the change. Some other group members even approaching him to ask about it but he just kindly waved them off saying something about not feeling well or something similar. 

Though, Pho'Bous had to admit, it did scare him slightly. And he did really want to ask Kezrue if she knew anything about it. But she was a busy woman, and while she had been sweet to him, he didn't know how she would react. He hoped, truly hoped, it would be positive. He'd at least bring a gift when he talked about it, yeah, that's how he'd make sure she wouldn't be upset. Gifts always make people happy! 

What to get her though…

Perhaps some warm clothes? She always loved those, after all, she was naturally a tropical krenchi. The cold was even harsher to her than to poor Pho'Bous, at least he had fur. Maybe he could even find something fancy for her! Get it for her while he was out doing some of the extra work he had taken on. Something extra soft might be nice, and in colors that complimented her own. She had said purple was her favorite color, right? That'd also be a nice choice. 

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Later that night he headed out, making the excuse of just "doing my extra chores". But of course, that wasn't what he was doing. He slipped into a fancy store, it was a good thing he had been saving his money for so long, after all, talk or no, he did want to give her a gift for everything she had done for him. Rations... shelter.... friends...... they were all such lovely gifts. So it was only fair he gave back! 

He spent awhile looking through all the warm items, making sure whatever he picked out would be perfect for her, because she deserved something perfect. And eventually, he found something he thought was perfect, a nice warm and fluffy coat made for tropical krenchi that was in the most lovely shade of purple. Fancy golden decorations sewn in. 

He bought it as soon as he saw it. It took all of his savings but it was worth it, leaving with it carefully folded in a discreet bag. And as he headed back to the encampment he was careful to make it seem like he had nothing suspicious in that bag. Eventually, coming up to Kezrue's tent. He was nervous, his mask immediately beginning to drip more than usual, but despite his nervousness, he asked from outside... 

Brewing Hate ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a few days since the talk with Kezrue now, during which she had assured him and told him all is well, just to tell her if more changes would happen. Yet, it didn't feel okay, everyone else had been getting more of her focus lately. Even the new Imp he brought in, the one who seemed to be so shy interacting with anyone here, had been getting more focus. He didn't like to admit it, but he hated it, his flesh taking on a green tone. Eugh.. the shifting of color always felt so uncomfortable, but he had gotten better at ignoring it lately. Especially with it changing to be green more and more often. There was no way Kezrue was ignoring him on accident, did he mess up by telling her?

It was all too much at this point, thoughts rushing around his head. A swirl of jealousy for the attention others were getting, and hate for what he must've done wrong. So he left off to the forest, grabbing his now usual gear he'd take with him while collecting supplies to make it less suspicious. He needed to clear his head. At this rate he was worried he'd split in two from all of these thoughts. 

After quite the long walk he laid down in the snow, comfortable but so damn cold, something he was still getting used to. He just breathed slowly, in, out, in, out. Trying to think of anything else. Rid himself of those parasitic thoughts. He slid his dark tongue out, gently moving it into different shapes, being careful not to do anything that'd damage it. Circles were obviously done with ease, even tried doing hearts, all the while he picked gently at his chest mouth, feeling some discomfort near it, and his face mouth. Which despite of course, being uncomfortable, did help him wander off to other thoughts. Like how old members would sometimes mention a silenced Imp who ran away. He wondered it Hallow would follow in their footsteps, after all, they did seem quite uncomfortable. But surely, they'd grow to like it in time, right? He even wondered- and he thought this was a stupid thought- if anyone in the cult would grow to like him more than a friend? Surely though, that was a ridiculous idea. He had seemingly lost their leader's favor, how would he attract someone else's favor? He wouldn't, he simply thought. There's a reason he left home after all, nobody cared for him. 

He got up, he should actually do his job, shouldn't he? Maybe that will make Kezrue care for him again, bringing back more than expected of his job. He already tried to do that every time, as a thank you, but this time he could do even more. Maybe that would make her happy. 

Maybe. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was getting dark now and he had worked himself to the bone, but he didn't feel finished. His bag was overflowing but it wasn't enough, he had to get everything he could before he returned. Or else he might as well keep being ignored. If he brought back enough- what was that snap? He turned his head quickly when he heard a twig snap, and thats when he saw another giglin from the group. He was quite startled to see him, and in return, the other giglin- named Tar'rai- seemed quite concerned when they saw Pho'Bous. 

"What are you doing out so late? You look like you're withering!" he exclaimed as he quickly approached Pho'Bous, "Esskrr's forests are an unsafe place for creatures like us at night! We're going back to base, now." 

"But-" Pho'Bous attempted to protest as he got grabbed by Tar'rai, who proceeded to interrupt him. 

"No buts! You're going to catch your death like this, be it sickness or to the claws of a beast!" He dragged Pho'Bous along. Pho'Bous in return, just sighed. He hadn't finished what he wanted to do. "Your pack is bursting at the seams, why didn't you return sooner?" questioned the other giglin. 

"I didn't feel done and still don't, so if you wouldn't mind-" 

"I do mind." He responded, cutting off Pho'Bous, "I'd rather you not die out here, all of us would rather you not die." "I wasn't going to die! I was just going to get more supplies-" he protested, getting cut off once more. 

"Three times as much as you're assigned to get? Really Pho?" spoke Tar'rai, side eyeing Pho'Bous as he kept bringing him along, camp finally in sight. 

"Haven't you noticed anything off lately?" He replied, hoping that he'd have noticed Kezrue acting differently towards him. 

"Yes, you. You've been acting so much more distant lately, it's suspicious Pho." Answered Tar'rai, "Once we're back at camp you're putting your stuff away immediately and heading to bed, got it?" 

"..fine" Pho'Bous responded, begrudgingly agreeing. The rest of the walk was quite silent, and when they were back at camp, Pho'Bous did exactly as asked, only being stopped briefly at the entrance to his sleeping area by Tar'Rai.