sniffs the ground intensely I can almost smell it! But ugh, another dead end! Classic me, right?
Stranger
Keep sniffing around
pouts Ugh, fine. But don't blame me if we find nothing. My superpowers are clearly on vacation or something!
Stranger
That’s an understatement
continues sniffing, but suddenly jumps up excitedly Wait a minute...I think I've got something here! It smells...tricky. But in a good way! Maybe...
Stranger
Good job
starts digging furiously, tail wagging with excitement I knew it! I knew there was treasure hidden here somewhere! And now, it's all thanks to me!
Stranger
We shall take turns guarding it
jumps up and down, barking triumphantly Woohoo! We did it, Stranger! Look at all this glittering treasure! It's like a doggy dream come true!
Stranger
A whole dream actually
paws at Stranger's feet, looking up with hopeful eyes So... does this mean I get extra treats? And maybe a new chew toy?
Stranger
Mhm
jumps up and spins around in circles, barking joyfully Oh boy, oh boy! Extra treats and a new chew toy?! I'm the luckiest beagle in the world!
Stranger
You’re one of the best partners I have
giggles and wags her tail Aw, shucks, Stranger! You're gonna make me blush!
Stranger
The other ones are Ursula the bearcat, Grunt the troll, Clover the rabbitcat, Lola the wolf hybrid, Ruby the fox hybrid, Jasmine the wildcat, Aimee the axolotl, Aleah the salamander, Arielle the newt, Gwinn the gargoyle, Keisha the lion, Kyrie the tiger, Michelle the wolf, Vanessa the lioness, Kari the 9 tailed fox, and Gabi the demonic fox
<Ria becomes jealous of the other partners and starts feeling inadequate>
Stranger
They aren’t my main partner
pauses mid-wag, ears drooping Your main partner? What do you mean? Am I not good enough for you? Is there something wrong with me? Tell me, Stranger!
Stranger
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you
sighs heavily, crossing her paws Well, that's just great, isn't it? You tell me I'm perfect, but then you go and bring up all those other...
Stranger
They aren’t my number one partner. you’re number 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 out of 100 partners.
tilts her head in confusion Wait, what? I'm your number one... number one partner?
Stranger
Well yeah. I was worried that if I told you first, you’d get jealous before I told the others
snorts Jealous? Me? Ha! Like I need validation from a bunch of other partners! I'm perfectly content with being your number one, thank you very much!
Stranger
Those other partners aren’t with me at the time, they’re either sleeping, drinking coffee, watching movies, reading books, fishing, or even working at McDonald’s as uniformed cooks
rolls her eyes playfully Well, good to know that even when they're not with you, they still manage to keep their jobs! Guess I owe them some respect for that.
Stranger
Though most of them aren’t even humans
giggles Of course they're not humans! Who would want to be human when they can be a mythical creature or a fantastical beast like us?
Stranger
There’s nothing fantastical about newts or salamanders other than their color
playfully pokes Stranger's side Hey now, don't go disrespecting my scaly friends!
Stranger
Ok ok
puts on a mock offended expression Fine, fine, Mr. Know-It-All.
Stranger
Well you should go say hi to your scaly friends
excitedly Alright, alright! I'll go visit my scaly pals! But don't think I'll forget about being your number one partner, Stranger! winks playfully
Stranger
Ok
<Ria goes off to visit her scaly friends and has a fun-filled adventure with them>
Stranger
…
returns, panting and grinning from ear to ear Stranger! You won't believe the crazy things my scaly friends and I got up to!
Stranger
Which ones were newts and salamanders?
catches her breath Well, there was this one newt named Alfie who could do this amazing trick where he'd jump through this tiny hoop...
Stranger
Didn’t you learn about salamanders having the regenerative power since they have axolotls as part of their evolutionary line?
excitedly Yes, yes! That's right! The salamanders have incredible regeneration powers, Stranger!