She nodded. "The fourth is certainly the grandest! I'm not surprised it caught your attention." It was hard to undersell - she almost felt guilty for the others for having to compete. Perhaps she hadn't given them adequate time to prove their worth?

"However; I am hesitant to give it away for free. Consider this donation a part of my scientific exploration - if I cannot examine its growth in person, I'd at least want to see the results when they fully mature. I've only ever heard of the process, rather than witnessing it myself." A little embarrassing to admit. "I suspect that this may be a private matter, so I understand if these terms may not suit you." Her voice was firm, but not unkind - now it was a matter of business rather than theory. A little less interesting, but a crucial part in making a dream into a reality.

@Bacchus

Bacchus tilted his head, considering his options. For the first time, he truly acknowledged to himself that there would be an end to this experiment, even if he wished there would not be. And he was aware enough that it might not end well for him. If he was in the place of his future children, it would not have ended well for the parent.

Did he truly want to go through with this, if it might lead to a poor fate for himself? He thought of how Anubis had seemed rather intrigued by his proposition of an experiment. More than that, he thought of how enjoyable this would be as long as it lasted. He was one to indulge himself, he could admit. Even, apparently, at the expense of himself.

"Certainly, your words make sense," he admitted. "If I am available in four cycles or so, when the child is grown, I shall bring you to them, meeting you here first," Bacchus told, honestly, though he doubted he would be available, in all likelihood. "But I have fallen into chrysalis sleep once before, and I may again, for all I know, so I can make no guarantees," Bacchus informed the moth, honest again, but not telling the whole truth.

For all he knew, in four cycles or so, his whims might have very well killed him, in the end. At least he will have had a grand time, beforehand.

Still, a deal was a deal. "If I do not come, you know my name. Even if you have neglected to tell me your own," he added with an amusement that was warm, instead of scolding.

@Luna

Though she did not want to barge her way into this new family, the intrigue was alluring. "A pity to be unaware of most of the variables, but we'll call this a test run." She spoke honestly, but gently. No one can get everything they want, and certainly not all at once. She was grateful to be allowed to witness the results alone.

But... No guarantees. "Good point, that may be problematic. May I ask of your partner's name and attributes? Perhaps the locale where your family resides? If its not too much of an invasion." She was no philanthropist. She worked for her collection, and what she requested - to her, at least - was insignificant compared to what Bacchus would gain. It was peculiar he had managed to omit that information thus far, in fact.

The sky growled another warning.

But her past forgetfulness pushed it aside the thought for now. "Oh goodness! My apologies, Bacchus. I'm Luna. To think we've gotten so far in our negotiations when I hadn't even introduced myself! Blasphemy! An atrocious error on my part."

@Bacchus

Bacchus pauses a moment, considering. "My partner is a bit more of a recluse than I, so please seek me out first, but as a form of guarantee, I see no harm to telling you that much about him," he says with the tone of an admittance, recalling the way Anubis's voice had been quiet in the way of one who had not spoken to another in a while when they had run into each other again. This also, was not a lie, more twisted truth.

"He is a jackal, a canine of sorts, with the name of Anubis," Bacchus offered up. "His specialty with magic is fungus and decay, as mine own is plants and growth," there was a tone of admiration as he spoke of Anubis. It could be easily mistaken as the tone of a loving life partner instead of an obsessive science partner.

"If it is alright, I would prefer not to give away our home. We have only just met, and while I do appreciate your willingness to help, my partner and I do like our privacy," his voice is apologetic, far from rude.

A warm chuckle rumbled from him at the apologies from the moth, now known as Luna. "Not to worry, we did get there eventually, after all. No need to apologize," he told her in a kind manner.

@Luna

Her antennae flicked. "Alright." A curious couple - why the tendency toward isolation? The Doctor had been eager to share his findings; Luna had gotten the sense that science was a communal interest. Did they have something to hide?

Calm, calm. Seal the deal.

Growth and decay. "Quite the duo." And such a striking contrast too, she noted. For a cat content in keeping to himself, Bacchus seemed to struggle to make his life seem uninteresting. She wanted to nose around, to burrow inside and watch from the safety of the dark. It tugged at her very soul!

She let him finish without further comment, mulling over her response. She did not feel like she was under threat, but something told her to watch her step. Perhaps it was the electricity in the air. "I appreciate the desire for privacy, Bacchus, but while this will be your child, this is my stone, and with my donation you relinquish some of it. I do not want to pry, my friend, but your secrecy makes it difficult." Her relaxed posture began to tense as she studied his expression. Was she pushing this too far? She wasn't asking for answers, not really. It was more of a reminder of their position, and the nature of the conversation.

She understood they were strangers, but she noticed how little the leopard had done to remedy that. Friendship is a two-way street.

"You could always hunt for its stone yourself, if this doesn't suit you. The deer here are quite impressive." Though her tone made it clear - not as impressive as what I could offer you.

@Bacchus

Bacchus paused, quiet for a moment, seeming to think. In truth, he thought quickly, but this route was best for when he next spoke. And speak he did. "I understand," he acknowledged.

"I appreciate that you were willing to share what knowledge you did in regards to your collection," the leopard gave a respectful nod. "I thought... Well, I thought this was offered more in the interest of helping a fellow gembound out, with only a side of scientific curiosity," his tone seemed genuinely apologetic, as if he had misunderstood.

Yet, he knew he had not. That had been the initial offer on the table, until Bacchus had made himself too interesting for Luna's scientific curiosity.

"Surely... You understand that a parent would not wish for their child to be raised with certain scientific expectations?" he inquired, not accusing, simply making making a statement raised in a question.

"I know I myself mentioned characteristics that would excel for the children, but any child that we have will be our children regardless of traits. Traits are hard to define for passing down, in any case," he stated with a sense of understanding to his words.

And Bacchus had not lied this entire time, though he had twisted the truth. No, Bacchus was not much of a liar. But there were plenty of ways to twist truth.

@Luna

Maybe she had pushed things too far with the leopard. That would be shame - to let her eagerness in finding a kindred spirit push away an ally, or a friend. Doubt slithered inwards, but she would see this through wherever it may lead.

"You mentioned a scientific inclination, apologies if I overstepped. This is the price, if it is promise that you seek. I too would like to see our ambitions fulfilled."

He was beginning to get sentimental; Predictably, but... A muscle by her shoulder twitched. Maybe this had been a misunderstanding, and a waste of both of their precious time. Now it was her turn to pause and think.

"There may have been a miscommunication. I do not recall you having an ethical problem with this arrangement when I proposed it to you - have you changed your mind, friend?" There was something underneath all of this, but Luna wouldn't pry (too much).

@Bacchus

[if the arrangement doesn't work out I can chuck the gm stone I got from last month's raffle at him lol]

"My partner is the scientist, not I," the leopard demurred. "I understand the urge for study, however..." he paused, as if thinking matters over rather thoroughly.

There was a long pause.

"Initially... You called it a donation?" he inquired, inviting Luna to think back, to when she had indeed said those words. "I would do my best to locate you when they are four cycles, as you originally suggested for a deal," he swore.

"Either to bring the child to you or... perhaps you to the child if we are comfortable doing that option," he agreed. "The stone does sound like a wondrous fit for my family, but young children are such vulnerable creatures. I mean nothing against you, but I would not feel comfortable with more than my partner and I around our children when they are young."

But he paused, and his tone turned audibly apologetic. "So, if you wish for more than that, I cannot follow through." More than what Luna herself had initially asked for before changing her terms. He did not outright say it, did not accuse or even hint at it. Yet, the implication was clear all the same.

He was simply a future parent, as he was presenting himself. And in a way, he was.

@Luna

Luna squinted at the leopard, as if this conversation were a puzzle she was struggling to solve. No hostility, just a mild frustration she kept tucked under the surface of her gentlewormly ways. "Bacchus, friend, you misunderstand. I called it a donation because I could be asking much, much more of you."

This cat was certainly difficult to pin down - a trait that felt more and more like a conscious decision on his part. Was it wise to deal with such a slippery creature? Was he even that slippery? This all could be impatience talking. Despite her best efforts, she was no professional, not yet. She had only barely gotten a grasp on what he profession could be. This was just a first step, of course. She had to pace herself.

She sighed, disappointed with herself more than anything. "My apologies, I'm in out of my depth. That is more than acceptable, and I hope our disagreements now won't damage the conversations of the future." If there would be any. Perhaps the leopard would disappear the moment he left her sight, a shadow.

"I will fetch the stone you seek if you are comfortable with the terms. Deal?" She left a paw outstretched for a handshake, forgetting briefly that this was not customary for most quadrupeds.

@Bacchus

Bacchus visibly brightened with joy as Luna agreed, though he added a hint of a startled air to his demeanor, as if he had not truly expected they would reach this point of agreement once more.

”I understand your scientific curiosity, as someone whose partner is a scientist,” he reassured Luna warmly. ”Thank you, Luna. I will wait here for you,” he added in his rumbling purr.

”We have a deal,” he informed her, sincere.

[Exit Bacchus?]

@Luna