"<i>Well, the contract is - hey!</i>" The Matsuba began to squirm almost reflexively at the man's touch, but fortunately she wasn't quite slippery enough to escape his grasp - and besides, after a moment she remembered that she was meant to be trying to cooperate with him now, and stopped fighting back. She dipped out sight for a moment as he lowered her back into the lake, executing a quick turn underwater before poking her head back up through the surface.<br/><br/>"<i>It's basically a magical deal</i>," She finished explaining. The truth was that she didn't really know much about how it worked - she only really overhead a few stories - but she put up a good show of knowing what she was talking about. "<i>It bonds us to him. We fight for and protect him, and in return he takes care of us and helps us become stronger."</i><br/><br/>She tilted her head to one side, taking a closer look at the human now. Was he really someone who could do that? She'd already beaten him once, after all. On the other hand, he was only human... maybe that was to be expected. He certainly seemed stronger than the fishermen... and there was something nice about his eyes. He looked like someone who liked to smile. He'd also already tried to take care of them, sort of...<br/><br/><i>"And just why </i>wouldn't<i> he want to take me?" </i>She demanded, turning her head back towards her friend. Her outrage was feigned, though her pride wasn't. "<i>I'm an excellent specimen of Lilimhood, you know, and you did say he wanted a trio. Besides... you wouldn't really go without me, would you?</i>"