Ruby-Beta returned its paw to the ground, but it noted in a moment that the stranger was still on edge, tense, and one wrong move would have it sprinting across Draco again. Alright, alright, that was okay. It could keep the act - no, push it farther.

In an incredibly cat-like movement, Ruby-Beta set its paws out in front of it and arched its back in a long, languid stretch, as if completely unconcerned with anything going on. "Yeah, I'm really not great on my paws, you know. I think it's why I don't ever have anything to do." It followed through with a forward movement, making sure to stretch out its hind legs as well, before sitting down comfortably and curling its tail around and over its paws. "The others don't like me much, I think. They never ask me to do anything to help out so I'm kinda bored a lot." It tilted its head and looked back at where the fox-creature had been snooping around. "So, uh. What were you doing back there? With the funny rocks? Are they important?"

At the question, they looked back and genuine confusion slipped into their voice. "No...should I? I don't recognize you at least. Have we met?" It really hoped that the whole "harmless dumbass act" was working, at least enough for the other to drop its guard.

Okay, it was working. Good. The other was definitely thinking the ruby wasn't a threat. Underestimating it. Hopefully, it would find a way to turn that around on it. But the continuous tense stance, probably hard-wired into it at this point, especially in enemy territory, was kind of throwing a nail in its plan. It had intended on getting it to turn around and striking then, but it doubted it would get the chance.

It had to keep up the act, though, as it tried to formulate a plan. It tilted its head, as if curious. "Oh really? I did that?" It paused, blinking a few times before it brightened up. "Oh, that must mean I did something really cool! See, I'm not soft! I saw you! I mean," it paused again, tail flicking behind it, "I don't really know why that's so impressive I guess. Aren't you just another gembound?" Might as well probe for a bit of info, while it could. It couldn't help feeling just a little bit curious about who this even was.

Eyes widened at the suggestion, both for its act and as itself. It seemed like its plan had a new direction, and it was going to get a new opportunity. Hopefully, if it didn't completely fall flat again. "Really? You'd do that?! That'd be so cool! What kind of price?"

Eyes widened just a fraction. It had guessed already that this wasn't any normal creature - it wondered why it'd been created, and by who. It wasn't new, that was for sure. Perhaps ancient. Before the Great Awakening, back when the Trials were run often. Maybe even before?

It chose not to comment on this, however. It didn't seem to want to delve in farther. Perhaps, once it was killed or otherwise dispatched, it would ask Master Vargas about it. If he knew who this was. He probably did, Master Vargas seemed to know many of the ancient creatures that had awoken in the last few cycles.

The offer was a bit of a shock to Beta, not quite expecting it to...freely offer its back to it. But perhaps its ploy had paid off. All it had to do was...watch its back. And the strike, then, would be easy. It would be too distracted to realize that its guardian had turned traitor until it was too late.

Beta had to keep it up, then, until that time. It let itself look a little apprehensive. Even someone as dumb as it was trying to come across as would probably not be too happy about letting anyone commit murder. It shuffled its feet, tail flicking a bit. "You...e-eat them? I mean..." its head lowered just a bit and its eyes flicked away almost shy. "I-if...uh...well...I guess if you teach me to be useful then I supposed I can help you out. I'm sure Master Vargas wouldn't notice if a few of the weak ones went missing." It took a deep breath and then straightened up, although they allowed a bit of tension to remain in their shoulders. "Alright, I'll do it."