With his Life not in danger Carter's anger boiled over.

“So I'm just insurance?! Not even your first choice?!"

She was unfazed. "Indeed, I had hoped for a warrior, not a runaway slave. If I locate a more suitable man before that time you may leave.

Indeed you may try to leave regardless, but I would not recommend it.

You made it this far, but all the unwed monsters in the surrounding woods are aware of you by now. If you leave my territory you will eventually be caught, and they are unlikely to be as diplomatic about this as I am."

“You..." he trailed off, his anger evaporating at her lack of emotion.

“However I am willing to protect you from them, as well as from any humans who may be pursuing you. I take it the master you escaped from is the one called ‘Jiro'?"

Now he couldn't help but ask.

“How did you know that?!"

“You spoke his name before you fell unconscious, saying he would no longer order you around."

"Oh..." Carter felt Like blushing, but at least it was clearer how she had surmised he was an escaped slave. It didn't make him feel all that good about being essentially imprisoned though, even if it kept him safe. Yet at the same time he had no idea of where to go if he could leave, so perhaps playing along for now was best. As he considered this she spoke again quite suddenly.

“Taki.”

"What?" he questioned.

“My name," she replied. "It is Taki, Taki of the Viridian Mantis clan.

Does knowing my name put you more at ease?"

It didn't really, though his consternation at her Lack of understanding of the emotions he was feeling did make it harder to focus on his anger. "Carter," he sighed, "no last name, they never gave me one."

“Then you may take my clan's name if you wish."

"Is being forced into her family supposed to make me feel better?’

“Yeah, I guess that doesn't sound so bad, Carter Viridian..." he remarked, trying to sound more accepting than he was of the whole situation.

“You don't need to fake your sincerity," she stated suddenly. "It is unimportant if you like this arrangement, so long as you see sense to abide by it."