She was risking her life, bargaining with an ancient predator in the middle of a toxic swamp, purely out of a selfless desire to bring a gift back to him.
To keep him company, to ensure he didn't feel lonely.
The monster that ruled the core of Xie Wangchen's soul didn't just roar in triumph; it wept tears of devotion.
'He is indeed my forest, my green forest,' Wangchen's mind disintegrated into a blinding supernova of pure adoration, his mental light-tubes waving so frantically they were catching fire.
'He looked at a myth and decided to catch it for me. If so, then I'll burn the Heavens for him and freeze the oceans. I'm unworthy of the air he breathes, but I'll slaughter anyone who tries to take him away from me.'
He watched, paralyzed by his own emotion, as Ji'an reached out her hand.
The Nekomata stepped forward.
It pressed its glowing, cold silver nose against the palm of Ji'an's hand.
