[IC] To be inserted into Kyr timeline later

[hunting]

[Being a perma-leopard has helped Lyncis' blood cravings, but it's yet to make any decent dent on his mentality, which has been trapped in a cycle of self-resentment since he attacked Argus. That stupid dream with shadow!Argus hadn't helped either. He feels less of a danger to Barghest now, but can he really remain a leopard forever? The Caregiver had been unsure about how much time Lyncis needed.

So today finds Lyncis studying himself in the portion of the river closest to the abandoned town.]

Comments

[hunting]

How to fix things.

[thatsmycue]

Yeah. . .?

[slides off of Explotaro's back and lands on the ground next to Lyncis]

Whatcha wanna fix?

[hunting]

I don't want to be a danger to Barghest or anyone else.

[thatsmycue]

. . . huh.

[tilts his head, curious]

I didn't really think ya were ever a danger to anyone.

[hunting]

You don't understand what I am either.

[thatsmycue]

Well, what are ya?

[he asks bluntly and without any tact at all]

[hunting]

Something that needs the blood of others to survive.

[thatsmycue]

Oh.

[side-eyeing him]

And ya don't want that to be the blood of your teammates.

[hunting]

I don't want it to be anyone.

[thatsmycue]

. . . yeah. I can get that.

[it's amazing how he sobers up when the conversational topics turn serious]

So what're you gonna do about it? D'ya need help? I can help.

[hunting]

[Well, that certainly gets a surprised look]

... I don't know. What can be done about that? Staying like this was the only thing I could think of.

[thatsmycue]

Well!

[flops onto the ground next to Lyncis and leans back on his hands]

What if ya quest for bags of blood from an Echo or somethin'? Or what if ya get someone to willingly donate some blood to ya?

[hunting]

Willingly donate?

[Sounds kind of horrified]

[thatsmycue]

Yeah!

[and he is not at all horrified about this idea at all]

I mean, questin' might be easier, but if someone gives you blood, then there's nothin' dangerous 'bout that. Right?

[hunting]

I don't know. I've never tried it under controlled circumstances.

[thatsmycue]

Then try it. And if voluntary donations don't work, quests might.

[hunting]

How can I ask someone to help with something like that?

[thatsmycue]

I'll do it.

[so blunt, Pyxis]

There. Ya didn't even hafta ask.

[hunting]

What?

[thatsmycue]

What!

[blinks at Lyncis]

What's wrong?

[hunting]

It involves biting. It hurts.

[thatsmycue]

[he holds out his wrist]

Eh. I ain't afraid of a li'l bit of pain. You can bite me here.

[hunting]

Not like this. I don't know if it will even affect me while I'm in this form.

And... I don't know how often I'll need to do it.

[thatsmycue]

[drops his arm to his side and shrugs]

Can't answer that one for ya. How often d'you usually get hungry?

[hunting]

Last time it took about a week.

I don't think it's much different from normal hunger. Just what's needed to... satisfy it...