"Ohhh, I see." Jake replied.

"Well, that's fair enough." he said.

"Thank you once again." he told her.

"Is there anything I can do to repay this kindness?" he asked her.

"Just name it, and I'll do it." he said further, unaware of just what he had said, and to whom he'd said it to.

Jake was silent for a moment, almost frozen in place.

"Oh, how inconsiderate of me." he said.

"My apologies." he said further.

"I'll spare you my Ramaarin name, but call me Jake." he introduced himself.

"It's the closest approximation."

"Heh, thanks." Jake chuckled.

"And it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Vanessa." he told her.

"Thank you once again for, well, essentially saving my life." he said further.

"Odds are I would have frozen to death out there." he went on.

"Didn't realize just how low my core temperature had dipped, until you gave me... whatever was in that mug."

Jake looked inside the door, and saw various things.

A bed, a drawer, a mirror, basically all he'd need. It wasn't the fanciest, but it would certainly do.

"This is wonderful." he said.

"Thanks so much." he told her, stepping inside.

He was then silent, before a large yawn escaped his mouth.

"Guess I'm tired..." he said quietly.

"Is there anything I can do for you to repay you?" he asked her.

"I mean, anything further than when you asked for my name."

Jake was silent as Vanessa said what she did and left.

"Well, all right then." he said.

"Guess it's time for me to get some sleep." he reasoned, making his way to the bed.

Meanwhile, as Vanessa walked, she encountered a human male, who looked at her quizzically.

"Hm?" he muttered.

"YOU look pleased with yourself." he commented.

"Something happen?" he asked.

The man just shrunk a little.

"So the hold's weakened a little." he said.

"...either that, or I'm building up a small tolerance to it." he went on.

"What difference does it make to you?" he then asked. "You know I've devoted my life to you, and you are my everything." he told her further, a hint of a dreamy tone to his voice.

"And... a Ramaarin?" he asked.

"Oooh, excellent." he said further.

"Been a while since you had one of THEM under your employ." he commented.

"Quite the prize to catch." he chuckled.

The man was silent, and nodded.

"Yes, mistress." he replied.

"I am devoted to you, and only you." he told her.

"You are my everything. All I do is for you, and only you." he continued.

"There anything I can do for you right now?" he then asked her.

Instantly, the male perked up.

"Yes, Ma'am!" he responded enthusiastically.

He then turned around and stepped out of her way.

"You first, as always." he said to her.

"Any plans for the lizard?" he then asked.

"Any jobs you have for him to do right away?"

The man nodded.

"Of course." he replied.

"Thank you." he told her.

With that, he scurried away quickly and obediently.

He was certainly devoted to her... something that was getting rarer and rarer for her... at least, as far as a volunteer basis went.

But she had a Ramaarin again... something she was not expecting, but wouldn't certainly complain.

She knew that as the man she'd taken in slept, by morning, it would be too late for him.

Jake had originally intended to leave after he'd paid his debt to Vanessa.

But more and more, he was feeling like his debt would never be paid. He felt he should never leave, as Vanessa's kindness could never truly be paid back.

But he felt he had to try.

Even though he was doing things that he would normally be morally against, it didn't seem to matter to him. All that mattered was trying to pay Vanessa back.

After all, he belonged here. The outside world had rejected him. This was his home, and he'd never had anything like it before in the past... at least, that was what he thought.

When he heard her approaching, he looked towards her, and immediately stood at attention when she got closer, awaiting her to tell him what to do.