Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Maximillion doesn't know what's worse- that Merella is watching, or that the man idn't moving at all. Instead of answering his questions, he's just... staring. Max slowly walks over to him, not making any sudden, startling movements. The man does even seem to notice, though, he just keeps staring at where Max was seconds before. Up close, Maximillion takes hold of the man's neck. His hand can fit all around it easily, and he could crush his windpipe without any difficulty at all. But he doesn't. Instead, he gently squeezes the man's neck, as if testing for ripeness. The old man doesn't even react.*

Hrm. Andre's Disease, in this world? Impossible. And yet... *he pauses, glancing back at Merella.* ...I'm going to do something. Do not be alarmed.

((Aiko, you have just made me lose faith in the human race's ability to read the ******** rules! I see no profile for you in any sticky.))

*Maximillion squeezes a bit tighter, and a soft protest escapes the man's lips. He drops the lead, and his eyes refocus. Before he looked fairly dead... now, as Max looked like he was killing him, he looked alive again. Well, not alive... animated.*

Reanimated, *Max whispered under his breath. He turned to Merella, smiling.* Merella, this will be Mr. Sharp. Mr. Sharp will help lead you, when you need directions. Wont you, Mr Sharp?

*The man- Mr Sharp- only moved hius eyes at first. Then his head nodded slowly, up and down.*

Mr. Sharp, sadly, has a wee sickness... *Maximillion narrowed his eyes, thinking of the seriousness of the situation.* It is a replicated plague, from our own home. Andre's Disease first attacks one's immune system, then converts it to more replicaterd virus carring microorganisms. But Andre's Disease requires a living, healthy host or it will die out quickly. I have... helped... Mr. Sharp over a bridge. The virus will trouble him no longer. ...and if he had remained as a carrier, this world would be wiped out quickly. That would not serve our purposes. There may yet be more, so we will find them. Mr. Sharp will help us.

Yes, he will. He will be a good friend, Mr. Sharp will. *he considers for a second.* ...If he tries to bite you, hit him in the forehead. If he tries to bite anyone else in public, stop him and carry him away. If he tries to bite anyone else in private... well, then... that's alright.

It's alright, Merella dear. He'll only bite if he gets a bit hungry, and he doesn't really look hungry right now. *He gave her a smile that might have been reassuring, in a completely different situation.* Anyway, I can brand him so he wont bite us. 'Twas only a... jest.

He'll dry up after a time, and then he wont drool anymore. You over-worry, vatspawn... *Maximillion ruffled Mr. Sharp's hair good-naturedly, and a few clumps of it fell out.* Anyway... he can protect you. If someone attacks you, you can shove him in front of you to slow them down.