Araceli lunged at the Lord of the Forest. The Lord of the Forest grabbed Araceli's tail and with his other hand he grabbed Araceli by the chin.

"I like you like this much better," he said. Araceli pushed against him with what was left of his hands.

"I-I d-d-on't!" Araceli tried his best to speak with his new mouth. His voice sounded so strange and foreign and he had trouble avoiding biting and scratching his tongue. His mouth tasted of blood.

"If you serve me well for one year, I'll give you whatever makes you happy. If you displease me, I'm going to skin you for a new coat," the Lord of the Forest said. He released Araceli from his grip.

Araceli began to wonder where the immortal harvested the fur for his green coat. He paced a little.

"I-I ssssub-m-mit," Araceli said as he bowed slightly.

"That's a good boy," the Lord of the Forest rubbed behind Araceli's ear, though the beast was rather intent on not enjoying the gesture.