[ jesus how much of that outfit is just repurposed belts... he's also kind of ?? about the glowing pulse box, but. not at the top of his list of priorities right now! ]

Thanks, you're a lifesaver! [ trots along behind her and points it out more clearly from his safe leech-free spot on the swampbank (where shrek keeps his money) once they're closer to it. ]

Iiiit's that one there! [ ... ] At least I think it is?

[ actually he has no idea WHY he thinks that, when it's not even a particularly cute box. it's just a vibe. weird. ]

[probably a good bit of it, nomura just came in like here i've collected these from other games (no)

anyway, she grabs said box, and wrinkles her nose as she comes out of the water. hands him the box. and then sits down to pick leeches off her legs. ugh.]

You know how to open it, yeah?

[ applauds and then accepts his box!!! sorry about your leeches.

he had not actually considered how he would open this box before this point, but now that she's brought it up, the answer is suddenly there in his head, even though it's weird as hell. ]

I... feel like I do...

...Kinda creepy.

Real creepy. [she agrees, amused.]

Want a leech? [don't just offer that]

No!!!

[SHE JUST LAUGHS SORRY]

You've gotta get in there somehow!

I can just give myself a papercut or something, it's fine!!

Yeah, yeah, that's true. Some guy asked to use my claws earlier for it, so that's open to you too, if you want.

[ looks at her claws like, damn, she literally calls them claws ]

Did you do it?

[they are in fact claws]

Yep. I didn't slice his face open or anything. Just a little prick.

[ honestly those are not far off from my usual nails lmao ]

Mmmm... I think I'll stick with the paper this time, but thanks for the offer!

[ and then he's going to spend an hour sitting with this locked box while he tries to work up the guts to run a piece of paper over his finger. ]

[help to be fair this is a regular human person and not her it's just as close as i could get without booting up the game]

Uh huh. [she is so tempted to just reach over and pinch him to get it over with, but she restrains herself.] What's your name?

[ if i wouldn't have to retcon it being a paper cut in other threads i would go for it!! ]

Oh! Todomatsu.

Haha, I guess I kind of skipped the introduction and went right into it...

You've got a box that's yelling for your attention and we're in a weirdo swamp with leeches, I'll forgive you this time.

[amused.]

I'm Karlach. Nice to meet you, Todomatsu.