Effluvium stalked Canis. A trail of red mucus in its wake, along with crumbles of bone. To Effluvium, this place was full of free food. There was hardly a second that went by where it did not attempt to pick up a bone in its jaws. Three cycles had passed now, and Effluvium was a hulking creature. Nearing six feet. Its jaws had devolved into a mess of multiples.

Its random, smaller limbs were now gangly and long, and grasped at bits its jaws could not pick up, throwing them within its jaws. Crunching once, before swallowing. In the cases where the bone fell apart in its jaws, it licked up the dust and shards. It did not taste as good as meat, but Effluvium was anything but picky.

But Effluvium was here for a reason. Not the mindless consumption of bones, although it enjoyed that. It had heard not-foods mention a being they had gotten items from. One who could get them anything (meat) they desired(meat). No questions asked. The Collector. Although it had no idea where to begin searching. Just that it lurked around the room of bones. Effluvium wouldn't complain about a room full of free food.

It paused in its quest for bones, raising its head. It wanted meat. Eyes blinked. Collector was here. Here somewhere. A limb threw what was possibly a vertebrae into its jaws."Lector," It began, voice a deep grumble, as its jaws worked to form words. Pale shards of bone dripped from its jaws."Collecter. Collector."

"When I speak."

When I think.(Will never be used)

((here comes a nasty gremlin))

"Collector. Collector." "Collector!"

A cloaked figure swept into view from behind the nearest pile of bones, a sizable - and fresh - femur clutched in his clawed hands. The Collector turned it over a few times before regarding the meat-beast that'd wandered into Canis. What an interesting manner of creature it was, too! Hulking, putrid, gorging itself on bones... it made him wonder -

Pinprick eyes squinted in a slight smile, and he crooned, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

@Effluvium

Effluvium had not expected the fast response. Nor the towering creature, to be the Collector. Its' jaws clamped once more. And then, its eyes caught the gleam of creamy ivory against the Collector's dark robes. Twirling hands grasping a femur. Effluvium dropped whatever bone scraps it had on hand. They all smelled like dust and old things. Effluvium could smell that bone clearly. It smelled like food.

The creature shifted from foot to foot in anticipation. Eyes zeroed in on the bone, rather obviously. It wanted to eat it. It took a few lumbering steps towards the Collector. Torn between waiting for the Collector to toss the bone at it, and attempting to take it for itself. Not one to deliberate, Effluvium quickly got to the point.

"Effluvium want meat." Effluvium paused. "Big meat." A clarification. It was almost giddy at the thought. Effluvium would be given big food.

"When I speak."

When I think.(Will never be used)

@Game Master Navy

The Collector waved the bone around a few times, watching Effluvium eagerly track it with beady eyes. With a flourish - and a whoomf! of furs - the femur vanished down a sleeve. No need for distractions where business was concerned... and what business that was.

He steepled his fingers, claws tapping against one another with a hum; perfectly masking that brief shock of overestimating a Gembound's intellect. "Big meat, you say?" Eyes squinted again, an eager grin flashing in what dim light made it into his hood, "ah, I might have something to fit the bill, Effluvium."

"It would be a grand feast - to savor without interruption," the Collector crooned, "an all-you-can-eat-buffet, if you will; and, all that it requires is that you bring a companion just as large and hungry as you are." A beat, and he added, "after all, two's company."

@Effluvium

Effluvium raised a paw, reaching. A strangled noise wormed its way out, as it watched the bone--its food escape down a sleeve. It growled, angry, stomping a foot. The growl petered off then. The collector's words sung to Effluvium. Big meat. Collector was going to give Effluvium big meat. Who needed bones, when one could have big meat? The creature licked its chops with a collection of tongues.

The Collector spoke of a grand feast. A never-ending source of food. The description had Effluvium salivating thinking of it. The bundle of flesh, nerves, and blood vessels that made up its tail gave a single excited shake.

"Yes," It said. "Effluvium bring friend. Friend and Effluvium eat." It didn't want to share its food, but afterwards Effluvium could take the feast from it. Panting, it turned, running back along its trail. Not even bothering to pick up the bones along the way. Mind ablaze with the images of never ending meat. Like the alligator's food, but bigger and better. Yes, Effluvium would find a friend to eat with.


"When I speak."

When I think.(Will never be used)

;exit nugget unless stopped

@Game Master Navy

Needlepoint teeth flashed in a grin; the Collector loved working with eager beasts. It accepted his offer without hesitation, and quite nearly marched off in an instant.

Hooves clicked, and he suddenly swept out in front of the meat-creature. "Ah, ah, ah!" he crooned, extending a piece of parchment with one hand, "I'd like you to sign this - put your... erm, paw here... The Collector indicated towards a line marked in black ink.

"By signing this, you'll be promising to attend this dinner - though, I'm certain you won't allow my preparations to be a waste of time," he held the contract out once again.

"- and consider this an appetizer, in good faith." In a smooth motion, the Collector withdrew the pearly, fresh bone from the same sleeve it'd disappeared into. He hardly bothered to aim as he tossed the femur underhandedly.

@Effluvium

Effluvium stopped short. The collector was ahead of it once more. Effluvium grumbled, sniffing the paper. Not food. What a contract was, why the Collector carried around a flat inedible sheet, and why the Collector was intent on having them sign it, all went over the beast's head. But they would oblige the collector. It raised a leg, shifting its balance. It's hand splat against the paper, and it dragged whatever fingers hit it down the line, leaving a wet smear.

"Sign." It mimed. It snorted. Of course Effluvium would attend dinner. It licked its lips, thinking of the food The Collector had prepared for it. "Effluvium attend dinner."

The collector tossed it the bone. Immediately one of effluvium's jaws shot out, grabbing the bone. It fumbled, but locked it between teeth. Tasting the pearly bone, chewing slowly. Collector was a good not-food. Effluvium trusted it. This was a small taste of what was to come. All Effluvium had to do was bring someone. Effluvium still did not want to share. A synapse fired.

If Effluvium brought someone that didn't talk, Effluvium could eat it before it ate Effluvium's food. Then Effluvium wouldn't have to share. And it would have double meat. It wouldn't even have to tell anyone it had a dinner. Effluvium could hide it. It gurgled, excited. "Effluvium do," It said, and bounded off, towards the entrance to Canis.

"When I speak."

When I think.(Will never be used)

@Game Master Navy

((Exit nugget to get mauled by dragon bats))

"Sign" indeed - as soon as the beast's mitt started to smear the paper, there was a furious red flash. Every bit of the print (smears and all) was inked onto the page. It was apparently and miraculously dry, as the Collector rolled it up and squirreled it away with no issue.

"Excellent - wonderful! I do hope you'll enjoy it when you return," he boomed once the verbal promise was made. He stepped politely out of Effluvium's way and bid it adieu with a wave, "ta-ta!"

Needle-point teeth spread into a broad, clear-as-day grin behind its back.

Then, without so much as a click of hooves or rustling of furs, the Collector was gone.

Exit Collector