As paw and hoof were placed to parchment, the paper flared as if burnt. And indeed, left behind were black marks: a hoofprint and a pawprint, perfectly sized to Kera and to Pride.

"It's called a contract," the Collector explained, removing the two sheets and rolling them up one at a time. As he slipped them into his sleeves, he continued.

"They are papers upon which we scribe--in a language now-forgotten by most--the terms of an agreement; and then we make our marks upon them." How the Collector had drawn up the terms in advance, or where his signature had been, he didn't say. Instead he looked to the pair, clasping his hands together before him. "Well, off with you then, and return when the job is done to get your rewards. Remember--big, pink and gold, and as glowing as you can make it."

He sounded rather cheerful.

Pride listened, his sense of unease growing by the moment. He was already regretting this, really. But the thought of finally getting answers to some of his questions intrigued him, and he set his mind on this thought as he turned to Kera.

"I wouldn't mind learning about that writing, then, as well. Are you ready, Kera?" he asked her.

@Kera

Kera flinches as the paper flared, dragging her paw away and close to her chest, staring at the pad for a moment, as if expecting burns. She bent her head down again to sniff her contract again-- though found that the Collector was already sweeping them up and away.

"A contract?" Kera echoed, brow crinkling. She listened, but she doubted. "And you can read it? Can you teach us how to read it?"

Though, she supposed she'd need to make another deal with him for that.

The wolf's broad head turned to Pride and she offered a faint nod, distant, thoughtful. She wasn't so sure the Collector was someone to be trusted, but it's not like it could go that horribly wrong, right?

It was nothing they couldn't fix, right?

"I'm ready," she offered, turning to pick herself up and leave.

@Pride

"I can, perhaps... given time, and for another price," the Collector stated simply.

He watched the pair, expression as veiled in darkness as his face.

Pride listened quietly, and then shifted his gaze to Kera.

Of course... a price for everything, he thought wryly, but he did not say it aloud. "Mm--yes, I'm ready. Let's get this done; I am eager to hear what he can teach us."

Pride glanced back at the Collector, then forward; off he started, hooves clicking delicately on the stone as he made his way back toward Tunnel K, toward Orion, and the Throne.

exit Pride; @Kera

Kera licked her jowls as she lead the way out to Orion, heavily padding away from the Collector. Of course he wanted a price for that-- but what the hell was he going to want for that?

Kera shuddered to think of what plans the Collector likely had orchestrated, that he was having other gembounds do for him in exchange for glowing eyes or information or reading. It filled her with enough unease that even stepping into tunnel K seemed like an upgrade, and that shit freaked her out on a regular day.

"Me too," she answered Pride quietly, and was silent for the remainder of the journey down the tunnel.

exit kera