Oliver hesitated, thinking.

"I don't... remember. I don't think he did," he answered Serek, quietly apologetic. "But if what he said's true, it takes over their minds. Like, it's not their choice. But I don't know how it works," he repeated worriedly. "If it's even true. Reji had guards, big guards, and they did seem kind of... not all there? But she was sharp. She didn't seem like, messed up in the head." Oliver could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that Reji's "larger guards" (likely Sergei and Azrael) were "not all there;" they were large, and not particularly talkative. Still, had he realized that this was just how they were, he'd undoubtedly have been stammering apologies.

"I can ask us in Monoceros--I mean. Shit, I wasn't meant to say that," he added, softly. Whoops. "I promised I wouldn't, 'cause we had to hide from Astraea. And I don't think they're fighters, but I can ask if they can help? They have magic, at least. So if there's a fight they could defend you, anyway."

Dragon rumbled, thoughtfully.

"Better to have allies and not need them than need them and not have them. Bring anyone you can, tell them it may be terrible and deadly or it may be nothing but we'd rather not take the chance. Tell them that Dragon, of the Children of Rot, requests their aid. I don't doubt that they see me as an old, solitary lunatic, so that should get their attention well enough." He snorted, amused at his own words.

"Meet me at the offering pile, then. I will guard it, and seek the Children. Don't waste any more time." He paused, and then added--"It may be nothing, after all. But if it is something--if it is as dangerous as it sounds, and I don't know if it is, because I most certainly do not trust Astraea--but if it is something... be very, very careful. I have no intention of throwing my Children to one terrible master to escape another." This was said with sudden protective fierceness.

For any of Dragon's other failings, for all his lazing in the murk, he did take the responsibility of watching over his remaining Children of Rot very seriously.

He waited to see if Serek or Oliver had anything more to say--and then spread suddenly-sprouting draconic wings, wisps of red and black hurtling around him. Horns stretched from the crown of his skull as he lifted off and turned, sweeping away into Cetus.

exit Dragon; @Serek

Serek's herbivorous ears flicked with the insides pointing down for a moment. Mind-controlling was really not on the agenda. The idea of huge guards gave him concern- as if they were doing something wrong to need guards.

He hadn't noticed the slip until Oliver directly pointed it out, and he offered a soft shrug in return. He wasn't going to rat them out or anything, and certainly not to Astraea. "Magic may help if the fungus's messed up like you say." How could one resist mind control? Arcane magic..? He may need to consult with his mother.

He dipped his head. "It's better to be over-prepared, yeah. I'll tell them you're asking for them." His eyes rested on Dragon's for a moment with soft wariness. "I'll be careful. I promise." He stepped back, watching as the swathes of draconic energy enveloped Dragon.

With him ready to go, he nodded to Oliver. "I know you guys aren't fighters, but we might need all the people we can get. Thanks for telling us about this." He made to leave, too, head turning away. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

With that, he began to jog away, opposite to the way Dragon had soared.

@Oliver
;exit unless stopped

Oliver bowed his head a little, and then stood, slouching some with his regular half-submissive posture.

"Okay," he answered softly. "I'll come back as soon as I can. Hopefully not alone, but-... no promises," he added.

With that he turned, and--finding himself rather awkwardly trailing behind Serek--stopped. It occurred to him that they'd be safer together, but... he hadn't been invited. He'd just... follow along... once the other was more ahead. This way, if Serek ran into danger, he could help; otherwise he'd stay out of the way.

exit Oliver