<strong>"I've already tried dispelling the magic worked into this collar, but Ezel isn't a fool.  The pain that came with the attempt knocked me unconscious for hours before waking up with a migraine that lasted for two whole days.  I suspect he has worked a contingency into the collar that binds my life force to it; successfully dispelling or removing the collar in any manner other than is intended will likely mean my death."</strong>Junpei couldn't help but wonder what sort of mess he had now gotten himself into as the mage went on a tirade and the monk continued treating him like some household pet rather than the wild arcane being he was.  His yellow eyes narrowed to slits as she once again referred to him with such a demeaning nickname.<strong>"I'm not Mr. Snuggles, my name is Junpei and~~~~"</strong>Before he could continue that train of thought, Zoey's fingers found that perfect spot behind his ears causing him to stretch languidly with delight as the last letter of the word that was cut off droned smoothly into a rumbling purr.  The dweomercat was pacified for all of five seconds before he realized what was happening and pulled his head out of the woman's grasp.<br/><br/><strong>"Gah!  Stop that!  I am not a kitty, so quit treating me like one!"</strong>