King Elk Forest the sweet relief of knowing nothing comes for free

he listens to her description, not sure what to make of it: some creature he's never heard of, a silver bird? it's difficult to believe but mona wears the evidence on her neck that something happened -- as strange and unknown as the collar is, he's willing to believe pretty much anything happened, no matter how far fetched. the poor girl looks so distraught (why is it every time he speaks to her he catches her in the middle of a crisis? he's not equipped for it) delight makes a sympathetic whining sound. 

"there's gotta be a way," he says soothingly, hoping he sounds more sure than he feels. cautiously he takes a few steps closer, giving her room to stop him if she doesn't want to be crowded, but wanting to see if he can examine it a little better. "does it hurt?" delight asks, eyes flicking briefly to her face in worry -- if it hurts they'll have to work more quickly than if it's just painless but unwelcome.