Lion Head Mesa the serpent goddess

qiao’s expression did not change as she watched the male eat her offering. 

good. 

she appreciated the brief hesitance, recognizing then that an unspoken pact had been drawn between them. to this she raised her paw and spoke a quiet incantation, ending with a stamp in the snow. 

you have been poisoned. she remarked in a manner almost clinical. in a half hour’s time you will become violently ill. but you will not die.

she leaned forward, her hackles bladed and eyes hard. never steal from me again. 

qiao drew forth a bolus of greenery from her pouch. to denote it was not poisoned, she took a chunk of it between her teeth and swallowed. eat this tomorrow, it will assay your pain. come find me when you are fit for work.