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They hadn't stopped moving since leaving Monoceros. A panicked run turned into a fearful jog, exhaustion combating the time limit that seemed to loom over their head. By the time they actually got to Canis their paws ached and their lungs burned. They paused to catch their breath, hyper aware of the time being wasted. But they could barely breath and hardly think, the air fogging up the sides of their gemstone stale from panic.

"Collector?" They called, hurriedly scanning the boneyard for any sign of him."The Collector? Where are you? It's Urgent." How often was a trade made out of desperation and panic rather than careful analysis? Was the collector aware of the power he held in such a situation?

Caves, they hoped he was nearby.

"Ahhh... Urgent, you say?" came the careful croon, and a sweep of black fabric from just down the rocky path. He stepped carefully around a few scattered bones, crimson pinprick eyes fixed upon his visitor.

"Five cycles, since last I saw you," he mused, and without tone studied the cat for a moment. It wasn't clear if he was judging them for not completing their tasks earlier, or simply thinking. Though from the looks of things, Assistant had other things on their mind.

Ahh, well. "Urgent" was always good.

"Urgent" meant that he could up the price.

"Urgent"... meant bargaining from a position of strength. And oh, how the Collector adored a position of strength.

He smiled. "It is good to finally see you again. But do not let me waste your time," he went on, clawed hands splaying forward politely, palms-up, in an invitation to speak. "Please. Tell me of your... urgency."

@Assistant

Assistant's head whipped in the direction of The Collector's voice. Somewhere, internally, The crooning, easygoing way he spoke was like daggers to their ears. It felt as though every creature in the caves should share the level of urgency that they did- although distantly they knew this wasn't realistic.

It's Researcher- The one who came with me last time- she- she's sick- dying? She fell asleep and won't wake up. Not chrysalisized. Yet. There's been seizures and she's been forgetting things and it's all been getting worse." They hoped they were making sense, and realized it was likely with their panic to not be the case, "It's been getting worse over the last few cycles. I should've gotten help sooner but it usually gets better- Do you have some sort of healing item? Anything?"

A pause for breath. Belatedly, they'd add. "Im sorry about the other deal. I'll get your info I promise. But this is really REALLY urgent."

"Ahh, well," hands parted, palms up, a gesture of openness "I do so adore being able to help those in need... good deeds, good for the spirit, all of that. But... of course, my aid is not free," he went on. But he was speaking faster now, pushing more upright, brushing down his robes. Ready, it seemed, to act.

"You understand that I must see them, see what is wrong, to help them--yes..?"

He gave it a moment, patient, time ticking by. Then he inclined his head. "Of course, urgency is always important. I will make you a deal... I will save your friend, though I cannot guarantee they will live the same quality of life. I must see what is wrong, first. And--this may be premature, until I can be certain I will be of aid... But I will demand a life for a life."

He paused.

Crimson pinprick eyes blinked.

The Collector laughed.

"Ahh-! That must have sounded far more sinister than I intended. No: I would have you create a child, and leave it with me. I will leave the specifics to you. Do we have a deal..?" he asked, eyes glittering beneath his hood.

@Assistant