Gabriel bowed its head deeply in acknowledgement, a deceptively warm smile forming across its furless face. It spent a moent considering the answer to their question, perhaps a moment too long. But they'd already agreed. "I'm studying the effect that sickness can have on greater Gembounds, so that I may one day cure it, and thus bring our kind to new heights." Gabriel told them with a bow of his head. If there was one thing that Gabriel would not do, it was withhold information after his subject had asked.

"I can't guarantee that you won't feel... slightly odd... within a few hours of receiving it, but in all likelihood there won't be any lasting negatives." Gabriel thought back to the wolf who now bore great wings and scales thanks to its intervention. If that happened again... it knew that there would be some power-hungry creatures would jump at the opportunity that arose. But if, like the lesser Gembounds, the fox simply... well, Gabriel knew that he needed more willing test subjects before it could say for sure. Many more.

It wondered again what would happen to the fox.

Well, they'd soon find out.

Gabriel's stomach churned with nausea, bile rising in its throat, its lips beginning to glisten with green-tinted saliva. "If you're ready, I'll begin."

Gabriel moved in close to the fox, slowly enough that he would easily be able to move away if suddenly reluctant. it opened its jaws slightly, sharp canine fangs connected by strings of saliva, and examined Rimese's neck. Had Rimese remained still, where he was, Gabriel would then place his paws against Rimese's shoulder for the leverage needed to sink sharp fangs painlessly into the fox's scruff, breaking the skin, but only just.

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Rimese
notes: here

Seeing the warm smile made him relax slightly, but at hearing the words, he tensed just a bit. Sickness? Was it going to make him sick? He was starting to have second doubts, but figured it couldn't be that bad. It wouldn't inject him with something lethal, surely. Besides, he'd already agreed to help. It would just be rude for him to back down now. As it spoke again, he relaxed once more. As long as there weren't any lasting negatives, it should be fine.

He watched the dog as it slowly grew closer. The fur along the back of his neck ruffled, and he suddenly felt as though he had to get out of there, but he forced his paws to stay where they were. It said there wouldn't be any lasting negative effects. He had to trust it! It had already helped him, so he should help it! Seeing the green-tinted saliva really didn't help, however, especially as it opened his mouth, showing sharp canines. He closed his eyes and swallowed, preparing himself. In his head, he repeated It'll be fine, it'll be fine, it'll be fine almost like a mantra as he waited for the strike. He almost didn't even feel it as the dog sank its fangs into his scruff.

@Gabriel

Gabriel let its small jaws grasp the fox's scruff for a moment longer, remaining poised in its intimate embrace as the vile concoction flowed from one being into another. Then, finally, as quickly as he's stalked forward, it was over, and done, and Gabriel let itself sink back onto all fours and back away, hastily lapping the red tinge from its lips.

Once more, it bowed deeply to Rimese, one paw stretched out ahead of it. "You've done the caves a great service," Gabriel told them, touching the tip of its thorny crown to the stone beneath their paws. "...and I am in your debt. Should you ever have the need, I am at your service."

Slowly, Gabriel rose up from its bow, its curled tail wagging behind it. Then it backed away. "And now, I'll be on my way. I bid you good luck, my friend."

And with a flash of its white plumed tail, the hairless dog had whisked away into the darkness, taking the bejeweled bone and leaving Rimese alone with the sickness it had given him.

-exit Gabriel-

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Rimese
notes: here

Rimese was tense as the dog bit him, and relaxed as soon as it was over. His eyes were narrowed as the dog bowed. He was starting to truly have second thoughts about this, but it was too late now. It was all said and done. He wondered what would happen. At the moment, he didn't feel anything. Would it come later? Would anything happen? He flicked an ear as it spoke again. In his debt? He didn't know how that could come in handy, but he didn't say anything.

He followed it with his eyes as it rose and then left into the darkness. Now that he was alone, he could think more about the sickness. He didn't really feel anything. It caused him to grow anxious. Was something going to happen? Would anything happen? Was something happening that he just wasn't feeling? He wasn't going to just drop dead, was he? He looked around him, wondering if anyone else was nearby, if anyone had seen what had just gone by. He didn't see anyone else. He really was alone with some sickness inside of him. Hopefully things wouldn't be too bad.

He began walking in the opposite direction of the dog, no longer wanting anything to do with it.

-exit Rimese-