What stood before Cedric was an anthropomorphic vampire bat, though she did not sport a flat muzzle. She looked more like a flying fox than a vampire bat. Her stance was low and ready, anticipating his next move.

Cedric narrowed his eyes. He tasted like love? That didn't make sense - unless...

"I taste like love? I understand." He said simply, relaxing his stance - but not completely. The bat woman appeared genuinely surprised by his response, relaxing her own position.

"You... You do?" She asked, almost innocently.

"I'll bet many things taste unique to you. My blood would be no exception."

Synthesia. A physical condition that mixes sensory responses to the brain, confusing the five classical senses. The mixed signals could cause someone to taste sound, or hear touch. In other cases it could be multiple senses. Cedric's guess was that this woman had a form of synthesia that caused her to taste emotions. It was certainly in the realm of possibility, given the strange biology of the Korellei. There was bound to be a deficiency somewhere, at some point - and that's not including their odd fragility.

"So you do - you really do! Interesting" She laid one of her hands between her breasts, to accentuate her introduction.

"Killer." She said simply. Hm, so this was Killer - Cedric recalled Grey mentioning her before, at the start of the party the other day. Now that tensions had eased, Cedric was able to get a better look at her appearance.

Killer predominately had the appearance of a bipedal flying fox, but with incredibly long and sharp canines revealing her vampiric nature - perhaps a combination of a flying fox and a vampire bat. It was unusual for Korellei to inherit the appearance of multiple species - even Cedric knew that. Long, black, veil-like hair covered the majority of her muzzle. It extended far down, just below her waist. Perhaps her flowing hair during movement was what his peripheral spotted while her cloaking device was on. A thick silky and black x-shaped top covered her chest, securing her breasts while revealing segments of fur on her torso and stomach. Her entire body was a slick black, with almost glowing red eyes sporting slitted pupils poking out from beneath her long veil of hair.

Humanoid arms were accentuated by large, thin membranes. Unlike a traditional bat, clear paws with sharp claws formed at the end of her arms - another curiosity of her unusual make-up. An average sized loincloth made of the same material as her top protected the modesty of her groin. Elsewhere, there was no further covering. A somewhat wide silvery belt with a flat round buckle rested on her waist, clearly tarnished by frequency of use. Besides the tarnish, it appeared to be in excellent condition. The refractor belt, no doubt. She was outfitted for speed and agility, a boon boosted by her shorter height. The crown of her head reached no higher than the middle of his chest.

Killer steadied herself once more, adopting a fighting stance.

"Introductions are over." She said simply. Before she began her mysterious assault once more, Cedric saw an opportunity. He needed people, and Killer would be perfect. He splayed his hands out, successfully stalling her just long enough to get a few words out.

"Wait! I want to make you an offer."

Killer cocked her head, her large black ears swiveled back and forth as her nose twitched - scenting the air. Looking for any further threats perhaps, Cedric concluded.

"You want my blood? You can have it. I just want something in return."

"You... You're offering your blood freely?" Killer asked, seemingly dumbfounded as she relaxed unintentionally.

"Yes - and no." Cedric relaxed, pointing to the bleeding cut on his cheek.

"I've never met anyone with such precision. Only someone extraordinarily talented or skilled could land such a precise cut. I wear a metal mask, and I have long hair. Yet here I stand, blood coming from a wound. I'm forming a team - and I want you in it."

Cedric stood straight, silently praying to whatever deity that would listen in hopes that Killer would not press her advantage as he lowered his guard. He leaned his head to the right, moving his hair out of the way - he pointed to the flesh on his exposed neck, watching Killer through cautiously narrowed eyes from the respective side.

"All yours, if you join me. Just don't take too much - I'll pass out. Avoid the jugular while you're at it, I have no want to bleed out on this gross floor."

Killer's appendages twitched once more. Her ears once again swiveled about, like little satellite dishes searching for an elusive signal. She crept forward, only a few inches as her wet nose twitched diligently on her snout - convinced there was some hidden threat in the shadows, waiting to take advantage of her vulnerability. Here, she had been offered blood freely - from the succulent neck of another, no less. Killer's slitted pupils fell into slight shadow as she narrowed her eyes, her face still laced with suspicion.

To encourage her trust, Cedric sat down comfortably on the grated floor - and leaned his back against the curved walls of the corridor. He pointed to his neck again, and mentally prepared himself for whatever would happen next. Worst case scenario, she would go straight for his jugular - or simply stab a vital part of his body while he was metaphorically defenseless. She crept forward just a little bit more, her sensory digits flitting back and forth quickly and suddenly. She was on edge, she didn't want to trust his proposition - but his offer for free blood was too great for her to resist completely.

"Take it or leave it." Cedric said. A long pause, then he spoke again "If I leave my neck like this forever it'll get painful. Quickly, it's now or never. Last thing we want is someone coming this way while this... Encounter is happening."

Her eyes narrowed further - before Cedric could react she thrust her winged arms downward with great force In combination with a crouched leap - launching herself into the air and sailing practically on top of his sitting form, almost effortless. He could feel her body heat now, her piercing red gaze was strangely hypnotic - he was entranced by such a devilishly looking woman. Killer crawled on all fours over his body, making plenty of contact with his own. He closed his eyes - his guard was completely down now. He prayed once more that she would be merciful.

Hot breath caressed the side of his face as Killer inhaled of his scent - he swallowed deeply, beads of sweat forming on his brow as the tension grew between them.

"You're serious..." She whispered, almost erotically as her breath tickled his ear. He swallowed once more. "Yes."

"Okay." Cedric felt the wetness of her tongue as she licked his neck. A few seconds went by, and he felt a tingling sensation, almost like the precursor to a numbing agent. Larged winged arms formed around his body like a cloak shielding him from a cold wind in the depths of winter. It was strangely comforting, just like one would find a blanket after coming home from a play in the snow.

He felt a sharpness, it was slightly painful at first - like a kitten biting its owner in a playful manner with a just a little bit too much force. He could feel his hot blood running from the fresh incision, only to be quickly disposed of by a gently lapping tongue. She had indeed avoided his jugular, opting for the larger area of flesh he pointed out with his finger before. The pain lent itself to pleasure as a combination of endorphins and no doubt an anesthetic agent of some sort swarmed the fresh wound. The minutes felt like hours, and he could already feel himself becoming light- headed and nauseous. Was she going to suck him dry?!

Thankfully, it seemed this was not the case as she finally finished her feeding. She released her bloodied kiss, and lapped the pouring blood for a few more moments before withdrawing. Cedric gently lifted his left hand up to apply pressure to the wound, but the blood still flowed. He opened his eyes to meet with piercing dark orbs that no longer was clouded with scrutiny, but rather was now slicked with admiration. She backed off just a few inches, covering her muzzle with a paw - revealing her deadly sharp claws. A single drop of blood fell to his pant leg, quickly becoming absorbed by the spacer quality fabric that formed its material make up.

"You are... Perfect." She said quietly through a loudened whisper, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Cedric coughed, slightly startling her. He swallowed once more, its effects barely pliable through his cotton-dry mouth. He dry gagged to the side as his nausea became more prominent.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Did I drink too much?" She asked, steadying his swaying head with an affectionate coddle between her furred paws. Killer's voice was no longer carried by suspicion or doubt, but rather now carried by concern and affection. Cedric slowly blinked his eyes, feeling unusually sleepy. "I think... You might've..." Cedric whispered, fighting for consciousness.

"Come, rest." She said, carrying his head to her breasts. What was exposed of them had a thin layer of fur covering dark skin, forming a furry pillow. The silkiness of her black top had a certain coolness to it, he felt as though his head was now resting on a heated silk pillow. He wasn't sure how much time would pass, but he was exhausted. Mentally, and now physically thanks to the fresh lack of consistent blood flow to his brain. He hoped he wouldn't lose brain cells thanks to this, he thought as he chuckled lightly - the loopiness of lack of blood already attempting to imprint itself on his personality. He closed his eyes, he should be fine - just needed a little extra rest to give his body time to replace the missing red blood cells valiantly conscripting hemoglobin to transport life-giving oxygen.

Cedric awoke, reaquainting himself with his bearings. A gentle paw was stroking through his hair, he felt the coldness of the Ravager's flooring slightly seep through his pants, the parts of his body covered by his trench coat was still nice and warm. Cedric realized he was sleeping with his head on something soft. He embraced it for a few more minutes in comfort as the paw continously stroked through his hair and beard. Finally, it was time he opened his eyes. He looked straight up onto a reddened gaze - Killer.

"You're finally awake, darling." She cooed. Cedric blinked. Did he agree to something he didn't realize?

"Darling? Did I make another offer?" He whispered almost painfully. He really needed water.

Killer nodded, "No, but I'd rather be nowhere else than here - with you now."

Cedric narrowed his gaze, her pupils were not formed in the typical heart shape he was used to. Was she not affected by the Phage? Was that even possible through blood? He hadn't even considered that possibility!

"Why?" He asked, still not wanting to move from the comfortable embrace.

"Your blood, it was so sweet I couldn't stop. You gave it to me freely. Your love, there could be nothing else more - we're meant to be - just as the witch said." Sharp canines made themselves visible through a muzzled smile partially obscured by her silky black veil of hair.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Cedric rubbed his eyes for a moment - did he hear that right? It sounded like low Korellei, but her sentence structure and word choice... It seemed broken up, strange. Yet, the words still flowed easily just as anyone else's would when speaking low Korellei. Was his brain not working right?

Killer thumbed through his hair gently, never relenting. It was slow and methodical - it felt as though she was giving him a message. Was this what it felt like when you pet a dog or cat? It was incredibly comforting. No wonder they liked pets so much. Soreness from his neck sprung him from his musings. He clasped it with his left hand, blood no longer flowed from the wound and it seemed as though it had been cleaned. There was no bandage, but there was minute scarring where her fangs had punctured his neck. It had healed already? Cedric rose from his pillow to a neutral sitting position. He looked back, Killer was comfortably kneeling on the cold, hard floor. It seemed she had positioned his head on her thighs as he slept. Killer looked to him expectantly, grasping her shoulders with her paws - forming a cloak of dark membrane under her long veiled hair to cover the majority of her body.

"How long can you hold your arms like that?" He asked.

"Indefinately." She smiled.

"That's impressive." Cedric replied, messaging the back of his neck. He really needed to cut his hair.

Cedric took a deep breath and sighed, removing one of the last two bacco sticks from his pack resting his pocket. One pack left after this one, he concluded ruefully. Cedric placed the tip of the bacco stick in his mouth, but before he could grab his lighter to light it Killer was already lighting it for him. She was so fast! Cedric blinked again, trying to register his new acquaintance's speed. He couldn't calculate it, physics was not his strong suit.

"It's fine darling, I'll light it for you." Killer cooed. Light it indeed, she did. He inhaled, coughing slightly. Killer handed him a small canteen - where did that come from?

"You had a canteen on you? I didn't see it before." He mentioned, accepting the pre-opened canteen thankfully and drank deep - the cool albeit recycled water finally flushing his dried mouth.

"I left to grab it when you fell asleep. Many of the crew sleep now, the night timers are always lazy or sleeping on the job. Don't worry, it's mine. I didn't steal it "

Cedric nodded, gazing about the corridor.

"Nobody showed up at all?" He inquired, finding it hard to believe.

"There was a couple. I scared them off - now they think there's a ghost in this corridor." Killer giggled, her hair gently waving in response.

"I see..." if Cedric had more energy, perhaps he would have laughed. The image of the encounter was too comedic in his mind. He took another long sip from the canteen, and attempted to hand it back to Killer.

"Are you sure you do not want more darling? I can easily get more."

Cedric looked to the canteen and then back to Killer. Sure, why not. They sat in silence for a few minutes as he had his fill, finally handing it back to her empty. He somewhat felt bad, but she did offer and it was easy to get more. He cleared his throat, feeling much better than he had before.

"Why do you keep calling me darling?" He asked, they had just met! Perhaps there was a cultural or personal reason for it, one that he may be able to exploit.

"Why? Because we're mates of course." Her ears rolled back as she licked his cheek. He already had something going on with Grey, yet after one little encounter Killer here is head over heels for him? She didn't exhibit Phage symptoms - so why?

"We just met. That hardly makes us mates." He said tactfully, shifting his voice to a serious but unberating tone. He didn't want to offend her, and it felt odd - why should he give a damn?

"To you, maybe." She replied, resting now in front of him as he relaxed and smoked his bacco stick, "To me, it's meant to be."

A sinister smile crossed her muzzle, "I'll kill anyone who challenges that."

Cedric sighed thoughtfully. If she attempted to harm Grey, he'd need to reconsider her affection. Cedric decided to test her apparent loyalty.

"You won't lay a finger on Grey, understand?" He commanded, he didn't care if that offended her. He was serious.

"Of course. Anything for you darling." She replied quickly, confusing Cedric. That easy? He peered deeply into her scarlet orbs once more - no heart shaped pupils! He gave up, he could use this to his advantage. The power of having someone answer to your every whim without question - it felt good. Great, in fact. Yes, she would be an excellent asset. If he wanted to meet his goal and solve the mysterious of the Phage, morality was not an affordable option.

"So..." He tested. Killer was looking to him at full attention, drinking in his every word and action. "You'd do anything for me?"

"Anything, darling." Killer smiled once more, placing a paw on his waist, and slowly shifting down. "Absolutely anything. Im yours."

Cedric puffed on his cigarette thoughtfully. Killer as a personal bodyguard or companion? He couldn't have gotten any luckier! She was fast, agile, and skillful. She managed to precisely cut a small section of flesh with a quick movement, avoiding his mask and layer of hair. She was a perfect assassin, a perfect weapon. He had found the first member of his own personal squad. He would have Grey command the second squad, her military experience would make her an excellent sergeant. All his life he had been withdrawn, kept to himself. He avoided his terrible mother on a regular basis, and his only friend was long gone. He had an opportunity here, he had already been blessed by fate to be harder, faster, and stronger than everyone else he was surrounded by. His science was their magic, his body was their supersoldier, his existence was their mythology! Even now, he was blessed with a perfect follower - and possible future companion. He favored Grey, he really did - but Killer... Killer could end Grey easily. He needed nine more. At least half of those in his team he would need undying loyalty from. However, that was hard to come by.

The Ravager was a pirate home freighter, many were out for themselves. Even defending their freedoms together was only out of their own self interest. More numbers simply made the task easier. There was comraderie here, but he questioned its validity. Cedric rose from his seated position, followed shortly by Killer. "Okay. Well, what time-"

"Oh-four thirty. Four hours and thirty minutes into sleep time." She preemptively answered his question - ontop of everything else, she was smart. Perhaps it was meant to be with her...

"I just slept, but there's nothing else for me to do until breakfast. I'm still tired, but I can't afford to rest. Killer, do you perhaps know anyone else considered... Less savory by the crew that would be willing to join me?"

Killer creased her brow thoughtfully, supporting her muzzle with an index and thumb-paw. Finally, she nodded - when she used her wings as a cloak, it created an air of mystery about her. It felt strangely satisfying. Cedric shook his head and held it for a moment, these thoughts - they felt unnatural. Yet, they were as they were. He was deeply attracted to Killer - why?! It felt so right. Perhaps he was still confused by his blood loss, his brain wasn't in the right place. That must be it. Cedric's eyes felt sore, he rubbed them gently and shook his head once more - blinking rapidly as tears formed in their ducts.

Killer placed a gentle paw on his shoulder, "Darling. Are you okay?"

Cedric blinked a few more times, the soreness slowly fading. "Still woozy, I think."

Cedric's body felt hot to her touch, and he stumbled slightly. Killer deftly caught his swaying frame, offering a surprising amount of support. Was he infected by something? Was something about her poisonous? Sweat formed on his brow and palms as she supported him. It felt like his body was fighting a flu infection, without the stuffed nose. His body ached, and a gentle tickle spread throughout his loins. An aphrodisiac? From where?

"Darling." Killer cooed gently, "You're not well. I know you have a goal that's important to you - I can feel it. However, maybe you should rest first."

Cedric was breathing heavily, fighting back a rising need to please Killer. "What, you can feel it? I- fuck..."

He stumbled to his left side, supporting his body with an outstretched arm to the neighboring wall. Together with the wall and Killer's support, he was able to let some of his weight go freely.

"Steady Darling, steady." Killer comforted, allowing him to take all the time he needed to steady himself. His eyes ached again, like something was stretching his pupils. He stood still as he leaned forward, breathing heavily in response to the flu-like symptoms. The tickling sensation in his body spread throughout, filling him with arousal as she drew closer to him. He wanted to take her right here and now - but what about Grey? They were still in the corridor - in public! No, he would not damn it! Whatever this was, it would not beat his willpower. He refused. He was a stubborn bastard, and he would take full advantage.

"Killer..." Cedric's breathing was rapid and difficult to control. He stomach churned, his eyes ached, his neck wound sored. His mast pressed unmfortably against his underwear. Cedric took a single step forward, almost falling in the process.

"Darling, you need to go to medbay. You're not well! I will support you, just let me. Keep moving, keep pushing forward. I won't leave your side." Cedric could hear her words, but it took a distinctive effort to register their meaning.

"Yes. Take me to medbay. Please." He pleaded. Of course he'd be stuck showing vulnerability shortly after meeting her, he hated it. Right now though, she was his only saving grace. If she wanted to eliminate him, she could have done so easily already. Probably even before now, he considered.

The process was torturous, Cedric felt as though he was brushing through hell itself. A single step, another, another. Slow, steady, cautious. Every step flicked his nausea, every movement sent his world spinning. Every inhale refreshed the soreness in his eyes. The inside of his mask was slicked with sweat, and his clothing began to stick to his skin. Only the euphoria from his sexual desire was able to dampen the symptoms. Killer rarely spoke as she assisted him against the wall, even she began to pant heavily from the struggle. When they made the distance halfway, Cedric turned his head to check on her, and realized that she was suffering from similar symptoms. Her nipples poked behind her silk black too, and her breathing was rapid - but consistent. He felt a connection, almost like a feedback effect.

"Killer." He rasped, "Are you suffering too?"

She gently nodded, "I feel as you do. Everything. But I must take you to medbay - I must. Willpower, nothing else. We must stay stubborn."

Her words resounded through Cedric - that's exactly what he was thinking! Willpower and stubbornness, they would get them to their goal. Why did she feel it too?

After several more long minutes of steady progress, the corridor branching into the Medbay was finally visible. Cedric felt an urge to speed up, to end his torture quickly. Killer sped up in response, supporting him steadily. He felt an intense aching sensation in his left arm, he couldn't help but notice that Killer was using her left arm to support him this entire time. Did hers ache painfully as well? Was he feeling what she was feeling?

They turned the corridor, and through teared eyes Cedric could see the door to medbay. A little more, just a little more. One more step. One more step. One more step. Move, damn it! Cedric would not fail, he refused. The door to the medbay began to open as they approached, and Cedric could see the familiar form of a male corvid stepping out. He could hear Killer growling to his side, which sounded more like a deep chitter.

"Take him into medbay. Now Tender!" She commanded.

"By the Goddess, what the hell happened to you two? Oh, Killer... I - yes, this way. Quickly." Confusion and fear cloaked Tender's voice, but he moved with a distinct speed no doubt honed by his time in the medbay, however long it would have been. Cedric didn't look forward to confronting Bengal again, assuming he was still in medbay from before. Cedric felt support from his left side now as he shunned away from the wall. Unlike Killer, this poor corvid was clearly struggling to support his heavied weight. He couldn't see now, his world was spinning too fast - like he was drunk. He could barely make out a thin folding table that hosted a several office items, holopads and notes and such. He unintentionally shifted to the left as he attempted to keep his balance. Tender was unable to support the shift, and Cedric collided with the table, knocking its contents about.

Cedric fell to his knees as he desperately attempted to grab onto the table for support, unsurprisingly a large snap resounded throughout the medbay as it gave out underneath him. He smashed into the ground, blood pouring hot from his forehead. It wasn't even painful, instead just turning him on even more intensely that he was before. He would hold, he had to hold. Cedric lifted himself to his hands and knees, remaining motionless as the movement sent his nausea over the edge and he vomited on the floor in front of him. Desperate to not soil himself from the vomit, he lurched himself to the right side - landing on his back. Cedric gazed wordlessly at the spinning ceiling, idly giggling. He rolled over to his belly firther to the right away from his accident, crawling for a reason he could not register. He just wanted to move forward, he needed to move forward. He crawled desperately as his eyes grew heavy. He was quickly tiring.

He felt multiple paws on his person, and voices he did not recognize were clearly distraught. His mast cooling on the floor through his pants also sent his aphrodesia over the edge, creating a mess inside his clothing. He couldn't even enjoy it, something was horribly wrong with him! It was as though all the hormones in his body were completely out of sync and confused with each other. This aphrodesia wasn't from some poison, it had to be coming from his own body. A surge of testosterone perhaps? He wanted to think, but it exhausted him to do so. Forward, thats what he needed to do. Crawl. Forward.

Various paws attempted to grab him, forcing him to his feet - they failed as he resisted. They would not impede his goal! Nothing would damn it! Forward!

Cedric crawled a few more inches before he felt a supreme grip on his torso, hoisting him aloft to his feet with great strength. He leaned back, his legs too weak to support his frame. He could only look up to see the underside of a familiar muzzle as the world began to engulf itself in blackness.

"Grey..." He whispered. "Help."