Words spread. A name uttered in Canis becomes a whisper in Tunnel K, a rumor in Orion, a conversation in Monoceros, and ends with Researcher of the Laboratory standing among bones, one leaf in hand.

That leaf, dry and brittle as it was, had a quite interesting history. It was plucked from a tree once grown by the Kingdom of Eridanus, pressed smooth by a strange gibbon, and scratched with primitive symbols denoting topics she wanted to cover during a potential meet with the mythic Collector. It now crinkled beneath her eternally-trembling fingers.

Researcher planned out everything from the moment she learned who he was. A mysterious figure who hands out magically-powered artifacts? What a perfect opportunity to both learn and gain objects for their collection! At the core of her notes were three main ideas: Earn something, learn something, and keep it short. Oh, and no agreeing to anything that'd hurt Assistant, who accompanied her to this very mission.

"I still don't understand why you wanted to come," said the ape, turning her head to face the little black cat. She shifted her weight on her legs. They felt sore. If this encounter took too long she'll probably need to sit down. "Backup is appreciated, but from what I know this creature is not dangerous. I'll be fine."

Researcher cleared her throat, which sounded weird through a crystal. "Anyways, remember the drill. We'll 'summon' him, request a few different sought-after items to see what he has available, choose one, then try to ask him questions about history or the caves. Got that? Now, what's the word again... Collector!"

@Assistant

With a flash, he was there: a shimmer and a swish of black cloth, a knowing croon to his voice. "Here, as a matter of fact--and at your service." Crimson pinprick eyes regarded the pair briefly before the Collector's towering form swept into a brief bow, horns catching the light with rippling glints.

He straightened. "What can I do for you?" he asked, his voice a welcoming purr.

Rumors were intriguing, and easy enough to gather. Follow the whispers, join in conversations themself whenever seemed appropriate. The collector themself seemed as mysterious as they were powerful- or at least, in possession of potentially powerful items.

And there didn't seem to be a limit or specialty to this collector. Assistant was sure there was some limit- there was a limit to everything, after all. But the fact that it could even seem limitless was interesting. It meant that they'd be able to find at least ONE of the items they're looking for, at least.

"Well, there's no harm in it, right? Backup's always good, even if it isn't strictly necessary." They'd reply with an easy flick of their tail. "'sides, I'm curious about this myself. " This was true enough, but it wasn't quite all of it. They knew Researcher would take issue with the WHOLE reason why they'd tagged along.

Simply put, they were gathering research for their own reasons.

Assistant would nod, this whole spiel something they'd (almost surprisingly) paid attention to before. Summon, items, questioning.. It sounded all simple enough, right?

The collector appeared in a blink of an eye and a swish of a cloak, making the black cat step back a couple paces in surprise. He seemed polite, or non-violent at least. Not that they'd heard anything to suggest otherwise.
Though whispers of some more.. cruel demands had made their fur prickle. Hopefully they wouldn't be given any such tasks.

They'd dip their head in a small mimic of The Collector's bow- it seemed polite to return the greeting- before speaking. "Hello, Collector! We heard about you, and we wanted to um- investigate!" A little blunt- maybe? But there was no point in wasting time to get to the meat of the matter. "Researcher has a list of some things we're looking for," They'd flick their tail towards the Primate as they said her name, "But anything useful for collecting and gathering knowledge would be good, really." with that they'd let Researcher take up the reigns, content to simply.. observe. Glowing red eyes, horns, two legs- This gembound really was an odd one, huh?

@Researcher

Researcher straightened up when she saw the eponymous figure appear. She squinted. It was difficult to see much of him, given both his concealing cloak and her own dimming vision, just that he was suddenly in front of them one moment. Teleportation...? Her brain couldn't wrap around it. She quickly gave a mildly excited glance at Assistant before clearing her throat launching into her speech.

"Greetings, Collector." a muffled, clipped voice started once the feline was done. "My-- cough-- Assistant here is correct." Man, this bone dust was really getting to her lungs. "We two are representatives for a group I will not disclose. We are looking for certain tools. Since we are not fully aware of your capabilities, we will offer a list of requests to see what you have, then choose one to 'purchase' from you. Here they are:"

Her finger tapped a percussive beat on the leaves as she tried to recall.

"One: a tool to assist in the building of larger structures;
Two: a device for storing and-or transporting potentially dangerous materials;
Three: a tool for communicating over long distances, or for storing information outside a spoken format;
Or four: a device to aid in scientific experimentation on living or nonliving objects."

"And since this is a trade, we presume you want something in return, yes? We do not have many physical objects to exchange, but we can offer knowledge. If you want information on a specific subject, we can gather it for you. How does that sound?"

@Assistant

He regarded them in silence, for a long moment, looking between each of them. He didn't interrupt, but once they'd finished, that silence stretched--until at last, he cleared his throat gently.

"And... pardon me, but before we begin... may I ask whom I have the pleasure of addressing..?" There was the mildest reproach in his tone; surely introductions were in order?

Had anyone told him in advance that their names were in fact Researcher and Assistant, he would have been... bemused.

@Assistant

Researcher blinked at the Collector. "My designation is Researcher. The feline is Assistant." she confirmed. She was mildly confused. Hadn't they mentioned them already? She wasn't used to people being unfamiliar with strange naming patterns as theirs. But it was alright. She had much patience, being a scientist and all.

Designation..?

Crimson pinpricks narrowed faintly beneath the hood: a thoughtful expression, one of (perhaps?) realization. Were they older beings, then, to have designations instead of names-? But these were odd ones, and--no, he realized; no, these were far too young. Far too new, with their soft-furred bodies and alien appearances.

Perhaps granted designation by a new Master, then--a new purpose? It didn't matter; the Collector served his purpose, and he did so equally.

"Ahhh, my apologies," he crooned. "Of course, of course; I am 'the Collector,' after all. I should have realized. Hmm..." Clawed hand tipped up, one nail tapping at the other cloaked elbow. "I may well have something in mind. In particular, for transporting dangerous things. But you say your payment would be knowledge-? There is little that I do not already know; what sort of information do you carry? -Do not get me wrong; knowledge is the most precious gift of all. It's just--well. I find it unlikely you have any... new stock, as it were."

Black cloth swished as he leaned back, a professional, relatively polite, challenge: what was it they could really offer him?

@Researcher

Researcher assessed the situation. They weren't expecting that, but it was fine. "We study many different types of knowledge." she advertised. "Do you desire tools? We can invent anything you desire. Perhaps research about various plant and animal species? We have plenty of that. Of course, I doubt you want leaves..." She tapped her gem. "How about information on certain gembounds? Ones you may want 'new stock' in? Interrogation's not our specialty, but we can... adjust if it helps meet our shared goals. If nothing else, we can offer our organization's general support to you, in case you ever need a helping hand."

@Assistant

Assistant watched, fairly quiet (as they tended to be around strangers), content to simply observe while Researcher took over the negations and interrogations. They'd perk up as their name was called, but otherwise just... stared.

The idea of this gembound knowing far more than them, to the point of their offers of knowledge being nearly dismissed was... interesting. They found it unlikely that this was all talk- though maybe that was the product of being such a storied figure. They'd listen to all of Researcher's offers, ears twitching.

"I'm pretty sneaky! I could do some spying, if that interests you." They'd offer. Was there anyone who the collector would even want them to keep track of? Surely he had made a couple bad deals in the past. "We could also help you 'track down' an interesting item you may have.. misplaced." 'Track down' meaning 'steal something for you,' but it felt crude to say that so bluntly. They'd give Researcher a small glance. They weren't quite sure how the primate felt about stealing, but anything for the tools and knowledge they seek, right? Besides, if someone keeps such bad track of their belongs that they manage to get stolen, then they were practically asking for it.

Clawed fingers were drawn up, the black tips tapped together several times.

"Interesting offers. Yes-... interesting," the Collector crooned, his silky voice carrying a thoughtful hum. With a rustle of cloak he swept into motion, turning, drawing a chair--out of somewhere?--and setting it down. A moment later there were two more; he took a seat, one leg crossing over the other beneath the black cloth. One hand gestured to the other two chairs in invitation.

"I can see use in two of your offers... And so I offer you two ways to earn this prize." Horned head tilted slightly, and those claw-fingered hands steepled together in thought as he regarded each Gembound in turn.

"First: to use your words for a pursuit you might find interesting... it is scientific, for you; but for me it is an open door to business. I would ask you to 'interrogate'... oh, let's say half a dozen, others. Ask them their hearts' desires; ask them what they fear most; and ask them who their enemies are. Interviews, I should think, more than interrogation... A small sample size, to be sure, but nothing is stopping you from interviewing more." A gentle shrug lifted his shoulders. "Or, if borrowing objects is preferable, find the two most valued objects of any two creatures in the caves--and bring them to me. Resale of stolen goods is... ahh, tacky, at best; but it is a way to bring in new customers." He paused, and then, with a light and crooning tone, as if to excuse all his own crimes--and to invite them to share in his excuses--he said: "-You understand."

@Researcher