Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“So, uh…any idea what else you can ‘splice’ onto yourself? Besides the bloodsucking vines, I mean.”</span> you asked.
Donny made a thoughtful noise and stared down at his hand. He flexed it a few times.
<span class="mu-g">“Dunno. I’m eager to find out, though…”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Right, well…maybe we should go back for now.”</span> you suggested, prompting a look from Donny.
<span class="mu-r">“I think you should let Rintrah take another look at you.”</span>
Donny made a disgusted sound.
<span class="mu-g">“I told you, I’m fine. I don’t need a doctor.”</span> he said, waving his hand dismissively.
<span class="mu-r">“Trust me on this. I happen to know several people who stopped being one person, and started being another for various reasons, all because of something that they put into their bodies.”</span> you explained.
Donny just folded his arms and raised a non-existent eyebrow.
<span class="mu-r">“We just want to make sure that you’re healthy, and not in danger of-”</span>
Becoming an evil plant monster? How were you supposed to put this delicately?
<span class="mu-r">“We don’t want to see you get hurt.”</span> you decided.
Donny threw his hands up and let out a long, suffering sigh.
<span class="mu-g">“Fine…”</span> he grumbled.
<span class="mu-r">“Thank you. When we get back, I’ll let everyone else know how much of a good boy you were.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“You’d better.”</span> Donny muttered under his breath.
Ah…kids.
—-------
On the way back, Donny’s shoulders remained slumped, and he had this perpetual, grumpy frown on his orange face. Both Wong and Rintrah seemed surprised that you came back so early, but they didn’t look at all upset by this development.
However, that sentiment rapidly evaporated after you gave a report of what had happened.
<span class="mu-g">“Incredible…!”</span> Rintrah gasped.
The green alien bull was currently holding a light blue gemstone up to his eye. You had to guess that it was aiding him somehow in his examination of Donny’s health.
<span class="mu-g">“Donny appears to have seamlessly ‘grafted’ the bloodsucking vines to his new body. It’s as if he willingly mutated his cells to accommodate them.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“Such a thing is rare for any organism to accomplish in such a short amount of time.”</span> Wong observed, scrutinizing Donny with fresh eyes.
<span class="mu-r">“How’d you know how to find the bloodsucking vines, anyway?”</span> you asked.
Wong seemed interested in this topic as well.
Donny just shrugged.
<span class="mu-g">“I just knew. I could feel it in my toes.”</span> he said, wiggling his stubby, root-like toes.
Wong looked dissatisfied with that answer.
<span class="mu-g">“So he’s also capable of sensing nearby plant-life. Fascinating…”</span>
Rintrah was furiously taking notes, when he abruptly stopped and looked up at you with those dark eyes of his.
<span class="mu-g">“Hrrm. Wong, would you be so kind as to escort Donny back to my lab. The Huntsman and I will join you shortly.”</span>
Wong glanced between you and Rintrah before signaling Donny to follow him. The plant creature did so begrudgingly.
(Cont.)
