[center][img]https://i.gyazo.com/2ec4f080babb056dbbf090eeac0b6c3d.png[/img][/center] THE INCREDIBLY PRIVILEGED reed cat, [i]Licks[/i], had just returned to her cohort's approximate location, a pair of large hares dangling from her mouth and dragging along the ground. She knew her cohort would be hungry after a nap, so she had spent some extra time hunting for a suitable portion. Licks immediately crouched behind some tall grass, dropping her prey as her eyes spied the strange water creature emerging from the ocean and wading to the beach towards the satchel. Glancing at her catch one last time, Licks crawled a little closer towards Gossk, her superb stealth keeping her hidden. Her paws flexed slightly, her claws kissing the soft ground. She wanted to be within leaping distance if the creature decided to attack her utterly defenseless cohort. Gossk heard Lynn's surfacing long before he opened an eye to observe her approach. In fact, he knew that Licks had returned from her hunt, due to how she liked to chase down really large prey and drag it along like some joyful little child. However, the reed cat's exact location remained unknown to him, which did prompt him to open his eyes and scan the grass--he didn't see her. [color=39b54a]'Good,'[/color] he thought, feeling proud of his pet's training and obedience. The Dracodile turned his massive head ever so slightly towards Lynn, his discerning eyes eating up the full image of her body, particular features, gait, and even the small micro-expressions betraying her nervousness and fear. [color=39b54a]'What... is this? What thing have you sent to test me now, Illorassk?'[/color] Gossk pondered, not even sure if he should think that the shark had been some kind of aquatic beastman and this thing was his minion sneaking up to finish the job. In fact, it had already stolen his satchel, so it was obviously seeking to rob whatever leftovers it believed him to possess. Gossk remained perfectly still as Lynn watched her step and, with each closer step, peered down at him with growing intensity. The behavior confused the Dracodile a little bit, making him rethink her aquatic-beastman-minion status. Maybe it was just a curious thing? He had encountered many of those, ate most of them. Except his pet. His labored breathing suddenly interrupted his thoughts and shook him violently. He blinked a few times, openly staring at her now and letting her know that he was aware of her encroaching presence. Her sudden haste made him squirm even more, but the debilitating pain stopped him and ushered from him a small, pained growl. He couldn't even shift his legs into a coiled position, and it frustrated him. [color=39b54a]'Fear, I see, but what is that look?'[/color] he questioned, his eyes squinting as she dared to kneel next to him, even with his satchel placed next to him, instead of her. That action alone shifted Gossk's perspective of Lynn immediately. [color=39b54a]'What...?'[/color] he thought, using his arms to lift his upper body a little as he eyed his satchel, and then at her as she spoke to him in Common; 'twas an odd, but useful language that he was still mastering. Moreover, he was always eager to hear people speak it whenever he could afford the opportunity. The mere fact that Lynn was using the power of word to relate to him, instead of claw, tooth, or even a big stick, calmed the Dracodile immensely, almost to the point of shock. No creature of the Wilds would do such a thing. And so, Gossk submitted to Lynn, grunting in affirmation as he looked away, which was one of a few signs of trust in the Wilds. You don't just casually turn your back on a predator, nor do you keep your eyes trained on an ally. Lynn's process of removing water surprised Gossk and as he coughed and hacked, he took note of her gentleness. It was not something that he was used to, albeit Licks was the closest thing that provided him a semblance of infrequent, but genuine intimacy. His eye followed the water, fascinated by the thing's skill in magic--in this case, a kind that he had never seen before. Her incantation amused him as well, and he even found it inspiring. Again, another feeling that he hadn't felt in such a long time. In the back of his mind, Gossk wondered if this thing was a divine creature, spawned by Illorassk himself. His pain relief was wonderfully quick and as he assumed a better position to stand up, which was sort of a half crouch, the watery creature proved skittish and moved away. That was fine. [color=39b54a]'This thing is... respectful,'[/color] he concluded. Her glances at him and his satchel were effective in getting him to check himself and get his bearings. Gossk noticed the seaweed and peeled it off. He also realized that his various skull trophies have disappeared, probably due to that damned shark; in fact, he noted the absence of each one and recalled the fond memories. [color=39b54a]'This saddens me, but it cannot be changed. I will simply make more some day,'[/color] he told himself, seeing that his savior had decided to brandish a large, metal beam that contained water. The Dracodile couldn't tell if it was a weapon of war or a tool for discipline. Perhaps it was both, only Illorassk knew. At her inquiry to his well-being, Gossk resumed rising slowly, but didn't stand completely. As he knelt before her, he still had to look down at her, given her 5' 4" height. He simply said, with a deep, half-growling voice, [color=39b54a][b]"Yess, thanks to yoou."[/b][/color] Each word that he spoke in Common contained an odd twist attached to each syllable, as though the Dracodile was substituting different sounds for others that he wouldn't pronounce. The reason why he might do this would probably not be apparent to Lynn, but Gossk was used to quizzical leers when he spoke Common. At least his fluency in it wasn't anything like his [i]native[/i] tongue, which he seldom spoke and for good reason. The posture-dependent, gesture-laden, and complex language of Rasskarr was more like watching a pair of reptiles hiss and growl at each other, with taunts and feints, than an actual civil conversation between two life-long friends. In other words, Gossk didn't speak much. Licks, sensing that everything was alright, returned to retrieve her catch. She carefully trotted towards Gossk and Lynn, giving the latter a wide berth and a sustained side glance. Just as her cohort picked up her sleeping bag and assumed a kneeling position, as he is wont to do when showing respect to non-prey, the reed cat placed the two hares a few feet away from Gossk, then sat promptly next to him to receive her reward. Petting her head and then scratching her chin with a claw, Gossk spoke once again, looking down at the notorious hunter, [color=39b54a][b]"Good, Licks, good..."[/b][/color] After storing the hares into his satchel, Gossk returned his attention to Lynn, adjusting his cowl so it wasn't covering his brilliant purple eyes that much. Though he looked at her, she might notice that he avoided direct eye-contact with her. He chose his words carefully before speaking. [color=39b54a][b]"Strange one, you restored ny, ah, [i]lisse[/i], err, ny [i]tine[/i] here... yes, so... I shaall serde you until it is, uh... 'aid [i]too tines[/i] o'er. Do not [i]norry[/i], Illorassk secures it so [i]nine[/i]... integrity grants nee strength to do this to you."[/b][/color] His oath was not as eloquently stated as Gossk thought it was, but [i]his[/i] determination was evident in his eyes, if Lynn could see. But even Licks had to stop staring at Lynn and glance up at her cohort because he sounded like he was gargling vomit and hairballs. She wondered if she should be concerned. She decided to wait anyway. Regardless, a life debt was not something that Gossk would shy from, for he had saved his own kind before and had it repaid. He knew now that the shark attack was a means to an end, to bring him here so that Illorassk might bless him with an ally--a gentle one at that. [color=39b54a]'Illorassk is good,'[/color] Gossk thought, with a nod before suddenly remembering that he'd forgotten something. [color=39b54a][b]"[i]Ny nane[/i] iss ,"[/b][/color] he stated to Lynn, placing his hand on his chest and speaking his own name in Rasskarr. He didn't feel it prudent to spend time translating his own name's meaning. He gestured towards her then, asking erroneously, [color=39b54a]"Hoo are you, uh, called?"[/color] As though to emphasize his question, Licks meowed inquisitively at Lynn, but remained at Gossk's side as she cease sitting and flexed her paws again.