Bloodrot stalked through the ruins, walking down the center of wide, paved streets without much worry. What here could have bigger teeth than him? What could have more power? Not much, he was fairly sure. If something tried him? Well, that might be fun. He was starving, though. He felt like he was always starving.
There were whispers among the other bone crushers that they weren't supposed to attack the noul, but everything was still so new that it left Bloodrot uncertain of what else there was. Why should his meals be so few and far between or minuscule that he should be hungry all the time?
He snarled out his frustration, and something went skittering in response. Bloodrot lunged on instinct, snagging something by the tail between his teeth. He dragged the creature out into the open as it struggled against him, making small growling noises.
It was some kind of... lizard creature? Bug creature? It had a very reptilian body but long, translucent, bug-like wings protruding from its back and where its ears should be. It turned a long slender neck to bare sharp little teeth at him. "Unhand me!"
Bloodrot let go of its tail with his teeth, push trapped it with a paw. "Why should I? I haven't eaten in a while."
The creatures little wing-ears flared out angrily, making it look bigger. "I am not your meal! I said unhand me!"
Bloodrot flicked the ears with his free paw. "Cute. Wonder if they'll be crunchy."
The creature flinched its head away, its ears and wings now holding tight to its body. Though Bloodrot's stomach growled in celebration of their newfound snack, he had some questions first. Dumb curiosity, really, but maybe if he learned something he'd be able to find more food like this. "What are you?"
"What, are you stupid? I'm a faery."
Bloodrot ran his tongue across his teeth and tilted his head. "Faery? Never heard of it. Are there more like you?"
The faery squinted at him, silent for a moment. Bloodrot gnashed his teeth ever closer and it struggled against him and finally spoke. "Only a few, I'm a very rare treasure!"
Bloodrot rumbled, considering. "A treasure?" That sounded interesting. If it was rare, maybe he should keep in prisoner in exchange for a bigger meal?
"That's right. I'm valuable. You wouldn't want to eat something so valuable as me. You'd lose out on all the things I can do for you."
It was Bloodrot's turn to squint. "How could you possibly do anything for me?"
"Easy," the faery quipped. "I can see better than anything, which means I could find items you could never hope to. And my paws are more deft and capable," it reached out a little claws hand, twirling it dramatically for Bloodrot. "I can do small tasks that your big oaf hands cannot. And I'm smaller, so I can squeeze into tight spaces for you. Also, I fly." Its little voice got faster and more desperate. Bloodrot leaned back and considered for a moment. That could be useful. "Could you see prey for me?"
The faery nodded quickly. "Certainly, probably. And if we bonded I could even tell you where the food was without speaking and scaring it."
Bloodrot hummed. Useful. Very useful. His stomach protested his thoughts loudly, but he ignored it for now. "What is bonding?"
This seemed to encourage it. It leaned its head up, ears flared out dramatically again. "Why, I'd be yours. Only yours. I could never leave you. But you mustn't eat me. Ever."
"Ah," Bloodrot breathed, pleased. He quite liked the idea of a little treasure that was only his. Something that helped him find food and could fly out ahead to lead the way? That did seem like something too good to eat. "You'll bond with me if I don't eat you?"
"Yes, of course."
"Okay. If you try to run, I will catch you. Our deal will be off and you'll be in my stomach," Bloodrot bared his teeth one last time in warning.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Slowly Bloodrot lifted his paw and the little faery got to his feet. It shook it's body out looking quite disgruntled, but it's translucent little wings stretched out without injury. Now that Bloodrot could see it in its entirety, he was even more confused by it. It was long and slinking with a smooth body and needle-like teeth, but its wings were a stark and delicate contrast against that. "What is your name, faery?"
The creature sniffled and looked up at him with barely disguised disgust. "Decay."
Bloodrot chuckled. "Oh, I like that name. Decay. I'm Bloodrot. You're going to make a very good pet for me."
Decay's lip curled for a second, but he seemed to settle his expression into neutrality after a second. "Yes. I suppose I will."
