Eythan laughed nervously, uncertainly, at the looming threat of having his stone shattered forever. Right then and there, he nearly rejected the task. But, out of curiosity, he waited and listened. His head tilted slightly, following his eyes to the extended hand holding a neon bit of fur. Furrowing his brows, he tried to place the origins of it, but was then distracted by some literal "fate of the world" stuff. Well, this week could perhaps turn out to be quite heavy and wild, then. Eythan quietly avoided making contact with those intense red eyes.

He was rather familiar with Monoceros and its wild wind, untameable and barely inhabited. The first task --- of what he assumed to be many, judging from the Collector's careful, slow diction --- was another bout of stealth, possibly with far less risk. The resulting thing was a little more difficult to be not seen doing, but he figured he could make a plan of action and stick to it. Regardless, he'd have to anyways. Escape plans on top of escape plans. Watch, listen, speak. Impulse wasn't allowed in fate-of-the-world shit. Despite having not even accepted the quest yet, he felt an incredible burden upon his shoulders.

"Our strength? In what trials? Do... you know?" He couldn't help but ask questions, weighing stakes and contemplating the worth of it. The reward was a concept rather extraordinary, and he had to think deeply of that. Eythan spoke quietly, asking softly, "sent into my gemstone? Like... into a chrysalis?" Or... something deeper? Trapped? On one hand, there was the finality of death (if he so chose) and on the other there was... sleeping? Being trapped?

The Collector gave the faintest incline of his head. "Our strength," he reiterated, as if in agreement. "I know." He did not, however, explain.

"As for your stone--yes. Into a new chrysalis, to be reborn. Whether your gemstone will save you from your own death, I cannot say. But this item can and will save another's life. You could, of course, always give it away," the Collector added. Unblinkingly.

@Eythan

The corners of his mouth turned into a hard line as he clenched his beak and glanced up and down, from the green bit of hair to the floor. Contemplating. Regardless, he would die, sacrifice himself to a greater cause. Already, he began to think of those he may literally give his life for. His yet unborn brother, Giggle, others he did not know, yet. He, at least, would have a choice to use this object, whatever it was, or to give it to another Gembound. But that was still quite heavy. There was no guarantee that he'd have to use the reward, should he succeed and get it.

Steeling himself, Eythan stepped forward, paws gently splashing in the pool. "Okay," he said simply, taking the green bunch of fur into his talons. Easy-peasy, right? Nobody would ever have to know.

The Collector regarded Eythan for a moment, his hand remaining extended for a beat before slowly retracting back into the folds of the cloak. He might have been watching Eythan with respect, or perhaps derision--it was impossible to tell.

His voice, however, was perfectly gentlemanly as he at last responded.

"You are a noble soul. I wish you luck in your quest. Return to me if, and when, you complete it--and you shall, as before, have your reward. And... If you find yourself cornered, do remember the gift I have already given you."

Then the space where the Collector had been was empty--as if he had never been there.

@Eythan

Eythan, no matter what he did, could not bring himself to decipher the expression upon the Collector's face. All things considered, the hybrid could only see his eyes. Narrow red pinpricks didn't offer much in the way of emotional depth. A blink later, the strange creature had simply vanished. Quietly, he said under his breath, "I should've asked him for that shit." Now, that'd be handy. Instead, he took off toward the chambers.

Arriving and descending upon his haphazard nest, Eythan contemplated for a moment as he nestled the bunch of green fur into the bedding. Then, peeling back a small bit of the carpeting, he stared down into the various trinkets the blacksmith had made for him. Eyes narrowing, he thought, considering. These new talons could offer some possibilities in the way of self-defense, in case his magic should fail (as always) and his natural claws not be enough to save him. But, they were too shiny, too distinctive. Yet, the arm guards could enable him to carry the green fur with ease, giving him an opportunity to use both talons.

His decision was made as he dragged them out, smoothing his mossy bedding back over. Tightening the leather straps of the arm guards and ensuring each talon fit easily within their metallic extensions, he reached for the twist of fur. Tying it meticulously about itself, he nestled it between himself and the leather guard.

Taking in a deep breath and scanning the world below, he dove and snapped his wings, gliding out of Canis.

; exit Eythan