Reseda crept through the dank, bone-littered cave of Canis, so familiar and homey. At least as homey as it could feel to her. She only acknowledged the cave with a small glance around the room before she turned back to stare straight ahead towards her target. She had seen the place in the hybrid's mind as his thoughts landed on the Collector. She had to search for it a bit, but eventually, she managed to find it. Where there were strange markings on the wall, against the edge of the cave. She stopped, looking around, although she saw no one nearby. Was the Collector still here?

She also didn't see the hybrid. He was probably gone, though, he was, after all, on wings and probably much faster then her. The didn't matter. Things would come in time. She had been patient for cycles - she could wait as long as it took for the Collector to arrive.

"Collector. I am here." She called softly into the darkness before settling herself down to wait for his arrival.

The voice, smooth and deeply rich, came from atop a high ridge of rock just to Greed's left. It was as if he had been there--waiting--yet no scent of him lingered in the air for the reptile's tongue, and no echo of shifting movement or breath had come in the moments prior.

"You seek me?" was all the voice said, and the figure shifted to dangle robe-covered legs over the ledge. Black hooves were barely-visible hanging beneath, and the pinprick crimson eyes did not blink as they watched Greed below.

@Greed

The sudden voice caught Reseda somewhat with surprise. Her head jerked to stare at whatever the thing was that was standing just to her left. She stood and turned her body to fully face him. This was the Collector - it matched the image she had seen in the hybrid's head.

Her tongue flickered, but she detected no scent or trace of scent anywhere near him. That was strange and it intrigued her further. This was not a normal gembound. This was something else.

"You summoned me." Her voice was cold and smooth and her eyes narrowed as they locked against the small red dots. "Your messenger came to me. He said my opportunity is at hand. I want to know more."

Only now did a scent reach her: the scent of old fur, of thick musk, heavy in the air. Those pinprick eyes continued to regard her, unblinking, and there was no change to the Collector's voice as he spoke further--voice as smooth and rich as before.

"Oh, I did not summon you here. Nor do I have any messengers. Though, I think I know who you might be; and if you are who I think you are, oh, there was a message sent your way." A crooning note entered his voice. "So you wish to know more..? Tell me, what is it that you value above all else?" From behind the hood, the crimson eyes almost seemed to be smiling.

@Greed

Reseda stared blankly at the Collector as he spoke. She was not put off by the darkness so plainly obvious nor by the soft croon and the smile. But she was careful to play close attention. If this was a trick or a trap...she was determined not to fall into it. Of course, she was shit at understanding others and she probably would anyways by this did not cross her mind.

"Yes," she whispered. "I am Greed. I value everything and I want everything." But that wasn't going to get her anywhere of course. She thought about her answer for a moment before she responded. "I value power, of course, and control. And I crave the throne that Envy stole from me."

"Power... Strength. It isn't something the weasel has very much of, now is it?"

The Collector looked absently off into the distance, and if a shadowed hood could look thoughtful, well. At length, his gaze shifted back to Greed.

"A time will come, soon enough, when power is what is needed among us. Among you. Strength. I grant that strength, that power, to those who pay the cost; but it is, too, in my interests to... cultivate it." A black-clawed hand slipped from the robe's hem to gesture at the reptile. "As I said, my message was already sent. My opportunity is, perhaps, already in place. But you must be ready to take advantage of it. Though if you wish a... more powerful form of aid, you need merely ask. Though the cost of such a thing will be far higher. A task, naturally, to prove that you are worth such a boon."

@Greed

Reseda regarded the Collector's words cooly but within was a growing sense of anticipation. It seemed like this robed figure was spinning a web through the caves, a web that would rock and shake everyone within. And Reseda knew that she had to be a part of it. Well, she already was a part of it.

"Will you tell me more about this opportunity?" Her voice sounded a little more eager, or perhaps that was hunger. "Or am I to be tested?"

But there was a more important thing - the Collector's offer of extra strength, strength that, it seemed, would make her job even easier. She bared her teeth in a toothy grin, although there was no humor or happiness once her features - only hunger. "Ah, I see. What kind of task did you have in mind?"

The Collector's claws tapped at the furred edge of his robe, the hand barely slipped from the cloth's hem. "...Well, I was going to say nothing, but if it aids in the caves' overall strength... Know that there is a dragon who will claim that Envy has stolen from them. The weasel will deny it. How it is handled--by all parties--will prove who has the strength. Whoever comes out on top, well-..." The collector shrugged humorously. "...Wins. Perhaps it is a chance to push the weasel aside. Perhaps to kill the dragon, and prove one's own strength. There are many ways to handle it. Now!"

The other hand slipped out, and the Collector clapped sharply, as if excited. He sprang down, towering over Greed as he strode over, hooves clicking on stone.

"How do you feel about... killing?"

@Greed

Reseda nodded slowly, listening carefully as thoughts and ideas began to form in her head. Yes, she understood what the Collector wanted of her now. Once Envy claimed the dragon's lies, he would probably become enraged. Risking them...yes, she would stand up for the Sinful Seven. She could see it now - herself as a shield between the kingdom and Envy, proclaiming them to be a dangerous ruler - selfish, cruel, and a liar. Perhaps she could bring the wretched Bloodberries into it as well. Perhaps find a way to lure one of the weaker ones and set up an attack. Lust, perhaps, or the lizard Amazon.

It was a game and Reseda was ready to play.

But first, she wanted whatever power the Collector was going to offer and so she turned her attention back to the robed figure as he got closer. She didn't flinch and merely gazed up slowly. The question washed over her without seeming to affect her whatsoever. She'd attempted murder a few times in her lifetime so having a purpose for doing it now would make it effortless to stomach. "I will do whatever it takes to remove any obstacle from my path. After all, death eventually comes, one way or another."

The Collector listened closely, and then he placed his clawed hands together and bowed before Reseda.

"I applaud your wisdom. Not many are willing to see past the pains of the present for a brighter future beyond."

He looked again to Reseda as he shifted slightly in place, as if thinking.

"I have a way that we can both benefit. You know of the enemies of your... 'Sinful Seven,' yes? Those you would see beneath your own, perhaps stronger, rule..? They call themselves Bloodberries. Kill one of them, for me. Do this, and bring the body to your Seven, so that they may see that you are strong, and act where the weasel does not. Then bring me the stone, and I shall grant you a reward worthy of a true king."

@Greed