[ANNI-24] 1 - RUMOR

matapang’s no stranger to the rumors about them. about their strange colors, the features that litter their body undisguised, the bones, the eyes. not from their herd of course, they have full trust in their leader and their strength, but from the other folk when they’re forced to interact.

where did they come from? why do they look like that?

it doesn’t bother them, of course. a being as powerful as matapang finds no meaning in the gossip of juveniles (and juvenile-adjacent adults). one stern look from them tends to shut those in their vicinity up. the smaller folk tended to skitter away when caught speaking behind their back, while the larger ones simply turned away in shame.

-

matapang watches from afar while their herd trades goods with a clan of horn-crowns. they don’t miss the way the horn-crown merchants’ eyes lock with theirs, before whispering to the rest of their clan.

he doesn’t know why, but it irritates him today.

he proudly marches forward in his undisguised form, extra eyes locked on the merchants. their herd parts way like the red sea to let them through as they stand before them. the merchants find it unnerving, gathering the ire of such a large creature.

“do we have any problems here?”

the indignation colors their voice, a barely disguised growl escaping their throat.

the merchants quickly avert their eyes from the unsettling gaze of their undisguised eyes on their shoulders and torso, mumbling nervously amongst themselves before one of them speaks up.

“we apologize profusely. we did not mean any offense, tall one. we were simply curious about you.

the area is silent save for the wind, as matapang stares them down with all eyes.

“the next time you feel like talking about me, make sure i’m not around. i will not be so kind the next time i catch you.”

they nod to their herd, indicating that whatever business they had here is done. they’re better off trading with folk who aren’t so bold, and so stupid.