Action. Thought. "Speech."
The little dragon yawned as she waddled into canis. she'd been asleep for a while, hadnt she? last she remembers she was smaller, and now she was only slightly bigger! what a weird concept, eh?
she had heard rumors from friends and family about a mysterious man who would give you anything you wanted for a price, and really, that just sounded like a good opportunity to ask for a hug! she hadn't had one in a while, and surely her talents could be useful, right?
she was going to call out but as she heard another voice steal her words, she beamed, flying over to the creature annie and landing on her back.
"hi! whats your name? are you looking for the collector too? we can look for him together! watch!" she squeaked out eagerly, barely waiting for introduction.
"COLLECTOR! MR COLLECTOR!!"
The soft twang of distant music picked up, after a moment: a steady and lively beat, the sound of guitar strings ringing invitingly over the rock.
Past the piles of bones, down a trail, and there he was, should they seek the source: black-robed and slouched atop a bone wall, one hoofed foot kicking idly to the beat of his music, his attention fixed on the black lacquered guitar in his hands.
"I'm the Collector, oh yes I am, oooh," he sang, quietly cheerful, to the tune; "And tell me, friends; yes, my friends, what can I do for you-ou-ou?"
He glanced up; one crimson pinprick eye offered a playful wink.
@Annie
Action. Thought. "Speech."
"im lass! its nice to meet you!!"
she perked up at the sound of singing, hanging on tightly to annie's back as she darted off with a smile, sitting atop her head, small as she was, and waving cheerfully at the collector
"hi!! your singing is lovely! my names lass!!"
she gasped, looking down to annie. "thats what i was gonna ask for too!! what a coinky dink!" she beeped, looking up to the collector. "i'd like one too! i can paint, if thats useful!" she mreeped cheerfully, a smile in her voice and... literally everything else.
The Collector stared, for a moment, scarlet gaze flicking between the two visitors.
...What?
It took him a moment to gather himself--a moment that manifested not as hesitation but simply still and silent staring. As if he were... considering.
"Ahhh," he said, at last, "how kind of you to suggest it. But no," he went on, leaning down to gently push the flower back to its owner; "I do not need hugs. But." The Collector's voice slipped down a notch, into a low and conspiratorial croon. "I know someone who does. If you can find the one named Orthoclase-Alpha, and give it a hug--it would never ask for one, and so you must do it without it knowing, hm? A surprise hug. I'm sure you would make its day."
What was wrong with this generation of creatures..?
@Annie
Action. Thought. "Speech."
she tilted her head, looking down at annie. "hey, if mr collector doesnt want a hug thats ok! because apparently someone else does, right? we could make someone super happy!!" she beamed, looking up to the collector.
"thank you, collector sir! do you think you could tella us where we might find alpha friend?" she peeped. "we're small! it'd take a while to get through ALL the caves looking! and if they really need a hug the quicker the better!"
A flash of pinprick red, a glance at the larger one, a look at the smaller. "Oh, it wanders... dark places. Miserable, you see; the darkest in the cave."
A pause, a wistful sigh.
"Good luck."
And with a flash, he was gone.
@Annie