{Video; UN: gambler}

[thescorpionking]

{Xie has gone through quite a transformation! Blame his two lovers. Dark lion ears adorn his head, looking quite nice next to his braids. There are trails of fur too (and a manticore tail!) that he doesn't share with anyone watching. But it's clear he isn't wholly human in appearance anymore.}

How poisonous is manticore venom?

{He turns and allows his tail to be seen - it is a lion tail tipped with the barb of a scorpion.}

I was thinking of making a tip for this. But what material can withstand the venom, I wonder?

Comments

[song_princess]

[Wait... Is that who she thinks it is?]

My lord?.... Is it... Because of your bonds?

[thescorpionking]

{Ah, there she is! Xie smiles and reaches up to tug on one of his new ears.}

Mm most likely! I have noticed changes in them too.

[song_princess]

[She goes to smile at him. She was still healing but doing better.]

Hoo? What changes are happening to them?

[thescorpionking]

One of them has gained scales. {Like a merman. He softens and tilts his head.} How are you feeling?

[song_princess]

What kind of scales? [She sighs softly before nodding.] I am better, my friend. How about you?

[thescorpionking]

Merman scales. {At least he is mostly sure.} I'm feeling better than ever! We should have lunch together again.

[song_princess]

Merman? I fear I never seen a merman before.

It brings my heart joy to hear that. Aye, I would like that. The same place or another?

[thescorpionking]

If he grows a tail, I will let you know.

The same place suits me. I will reserve a table for us tomorrow?

[song_princess]

I will look forward to seeing it.

That sounds, good my friend. Shall I bring something to the lunch?

[thescorpionking]

As will I! But it might be cumbersome for him.

What would you like to bring?

Video | un: runaway

[hideawayparadise]

What if I cap it with ice?

[That should help right?]

Video

[thescorpionking]

Will it last? {Is it uncomfortably cold?} I don't want to hit you with anything hard accidentally.

[hideawayparadise]

If I put a snowflake in it like I did with your sculpture it'll last. Besides you just grab me with your tail.

[thescorpionking]

If I am reckless when I grab you, I could sting you or hit you with the ice. That would be upsetting, A-Ley.

[hideawayparadise]

Ice has never hurt me my entire life. So it won't if you have it on your tail.

[thescorpionking]

Then I suppose that is a fine solution. I will still be careful with you.

[hideawayparadise]

You're always careful with me. I trust you completely though. So let's see if the ice will work.

[thescorpionking]

And I trust you. {Thoroughly.} Just seal the barbed tip with ice.

[hideawayparadise]

Okay. I can come to you now! I was just picking up another book to read in the bedroom.

[letyourheartfly]

[There are some very strange features on this man!]

I'm sorry I'm not going to be much help here since I don't know what a manticore is, but is that what it looks like to be transformed by the uh.. that magic around here?

[thescorpionking]

A legendary creature that resembles a man, a lion and a scorpion. {They are strange on their own without kizuna interfering.} For me, yes. Everyone is different.

[letyourheartfly]

[A man + lion + scorpion. That sounds hideous! Fortunately, this man on the screen doesn't quite look like the mental image that conjures up.]

Are you stuck like that? Can you be human again?

[There's some clear apprehension in his tone. He wants to go home!]

[thescorpionking]

{Rude! It's just strange, Tay, not hideous. Xie's fuzzy black ears press against his hair.}

I'm not sure. I haven't tried to change back.

{He doesn't want to - not yet anyway.}

Are you new?

[letyourheartfly]

[The ears are pretty cute, Tay will admit that much.. quietly, in his head.]

Yes, relatively. It's worrisome that there's no way to prevent this place from doing something like that to me whether I like it or not. It seems violating.

[He tries to give a smile though.]

But you seem quite relaxed about this change, even if you're worried about your tail. It really doesn't bother you?

[50000baht]

[ So Manticores are fiction in his world. But.... venom is venom. ]

I would assume glass would be the most appropriate receptacle.

[ Holy shit the guy grew a ... tail! ]