The old wives' tale that lying causes bumps to appear on your tongue may ring truer than you think when you consider the curious creature that is the Sicogue.
While it appears cute with its striking mohawk and stumpy legs, the Sicogue embodies the saying that "the Devil is on your shoulder". This is quite literal; the creature will hop onto the shoulders of those near it to hitch a ride and will do whatever it can to stay there.
Mostly this involves the host making up excuses, half truths or other perfectly reasonable lies - to themselves and to others - not to go to events, hang with friends, or take a course of action that could risk discovery of the Sicogue and cause it to lose its ride.
It does so my transmitting false information through its gazing and hypnotic eyes into the eyes of its host. While the Sicogue often remains hidden, you can spot someone under the influence of one when they give furtive, sideways glances when answering a question.
Left unchecked, the falsehoods spouted by the host weave a web that ensnares them and can risk the behaviour becoming "pathological". Asking someone to "look you in the eyes" while they speak is an effective countermeasure to a Sicogue's thrall. Ongoing exposure to a Sicogue's thrall will cause physiological changes in its host, such as tongue bumps.
Unfortunately, in our connected age, where the digital realm amplifies whispers, the Sicogue thrives. Keyboard interactions and social media obscure genuine connection, making individuals more susceptible to this creature's influence as they isolate themselves.
Ridding oneself of a Sicogue is challenging and demands courage. One must commit to telling the truth—to oneself and to others - no matter the difficulty. Each painful truth acts as a salve, causing the Sicogue to sprout a bump on its own tongue, causing a harsh taste equal to the harshness and honesty of the truth told.
As this taste builds up, it cannot help but flee, leaving a clearer path for those willing to embrace honesty. Truth may be harder, but it ultimately leads to a smoother, less bumpy journey for you in the long run.