Stubborn Rabbit

Clearing his throat to announce his presence and not startle the Roobit, Mateus stepped closer to where it was grazing.

The Spirit Beast stood up tall and stared at him warily. As a juvenile, this Roobit only stood as tall as Mateus' shoulders, but the look in its eyes was full of confidence, and highly unusual.

Looking closely at the shape of the beast, it was clear it wasn't a pure Roobit - the front paws are shaped closer to a tiger's, while the eyes were almost identical to a wolf. Hybrid bloodline beasts are a bit of a mixed blessing - it's hard, if not impossible, to predict what abilities they grant, and how much Essence they require.

Still, pure Roobits are pretty much useless, and it's an Angora. With his 20 units of Essence, Mateus felt confident in making this contract.

All the time Mateus had been sizing up the Roobit, it had been returning the favour.

"I want to make a contract with you." Mateus said directly, and the Roobit huffed out a laugh.

"You think you're good enough? Hilarious." It replied derisively.

"Why do think I'm not good enough?" Mateus asked curiously.

"You're a Virgin, yeah? Beasts like me have a huge sex drive. There's no way I'm going celibate just 'cause you can't get some." The Roobit laughed, and Mateus blushed in fury.

"I'm a handsome guy! With a decent bit of money, and some new clothes, I can get all the girls I want!" Mateus glared at the beast, and it cracked up so much it fell over.

"Oh, that's a good one! I'm dying here! Go on, tell another!" The Roobit lay sideways on the ground, kicking and thrashing in mirth.

"You're a really annoying rabbit, you know that? Most humans aren't willing to contract with a hybrid beast, especially in the wild zone. Certainly not of a prey species. You can wait for a hundred years, and never get a second offer." Mateus informed the beast coldly, and finally the Roobit stopped laughing.

It stood up as tall as it could, and glared at him in resentment. In spite of it's intimidating wolf eyes, the rabbit face and curly soft fur made it look utterly adorable.

"You're right! Humans think I'm weak, so they won't contract me! You're not the first to be brought to the Nursery, and you won't be the last. Perhaps I will never get another offer in my life! But that doesn't mean I should settle for second best!" The Roobit exclaimed with pride.

"Most humans have 5 units of Essence on average. I have 20 units. If I am second, no one can claim to be first." Mateus informed the beast with a huff.

"Then why would you pick me?" The Roobit asked harshly.

"Because you're an Angora, and that's what I'm looking for." Mateus stated casually.

"Wait, what? You want to pick me because I have curly fur? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard." The Roobit stared at him like looking at an idiot.

"Pretty much, yeah. So, will you be my contracted companion?" Mateus asked again. As if he'd give up on contracting the only Angora in the Nursery so easily. The Roobit paced around the small area with a thoughtful expression, glancing at Mateus multiple times in the process.

"Well, fine, but you have to take my friend too." The Roobit finally answered.

"That's no trouble at all." Mateus answered with a victorious smile. Finally, he had his Angora.