<span style="font-weight: bold">Ambrosia</span><br/><br/>"It's sweet of you, Xarces, to worry about me," I said softly, privately. "But some people are predators," I gently touched his face with the hand he'd already cleaned, "and some are prey. Some," I glanced at the naga, "are<span style="font-style: italic">alpha</span>predators. I'll feed myself to who I wish." I paused, smirked, lips<span style="font-style: italic">slightly</span>parted, "eat whom I wish. I like you, I really do," I told him. "I've shared a stomach with you, let you<span style="font-style: italic">visit</span>mine... but don't you<span style="font-style: italic">dare</span>question my word to such a<span style="font-style: italic">magnificent</span>predator." I gave the naga in question a tiny little fingerwave. "She and I both know what my promise meant,<span style="font-style: italic">either</span>one of us might get eaten by another in the meantime - there's always someone higher up the food chain - but, if perchance we come to the right place and time together, in the future," I smiled, as my gaze lingered on the naga's tail. "I<span style="font-style: italic">would</span>let her digest me."<br/><br/>"Turning to other issues," I said, "I'm in favor of binding the guard<span style="font-style: italic">securely</span>. Or if our new friend isn't coming then maybe<span style="font-style: italic">she</span>can look after him. The approach from both sides worked last time, and I think we shouldn't mess with success. Let's do<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>again."