The food arrives. Despite how hungry I was, I'm skeptical about this. Delian's words were riddles and rhymes. It boggles my mind. Delian bites into his eel. The serpent usually devours its kind. I take out my chopsticks. I start eating. Mm... not as spice as I thought it would, but my mind is preoccupied enough.

"You have questions, I assume? Your mind smells more pungent than perfume." Delian takes another bite.

"Alright... what aren't you telling me everything?" I say through mouthfuls.

Delian ordered another side of potstickers that had arrived previously. He takes one up.

"I so love these things, like humans with less sting. A baby wrapped on the inside and a tasty flesh where it resides." Delian smiles.

"You're creepy." I say.

"And you are Willow." Delian says.

I take up a potsticker. I dip it into the chili sauce.

"I will tell you because the hour is near. The world will be dire and fall my dear." Delian says.

I feel his tail wrap around my leg. I feel it moving down it.

"By this movement of the tail, are you implying intermating?" I ask.

"Do you think I am?" Delian asks.

"I'm not sure." I take another bite of my ramen.

"What do you think I dare ask you?" Delian asks.

"What... what do I think?" I look down.

"Yes, what do you think." Delian smiles.

"... I think I need your help. I think I'm losing everything. I don't know what to think." I say.

"Let me help you." Delian smiles.

"What do you mean help me?" I start drinking my soup. 

"I will help you for a cost. You look as scared as a baby lamb who is lost. I will help you find your home, but your body will be my roam." Delian pays the check.

I let out a breath.

"Okay... we have a deal." I say.