The Collector was admiring a new specimen brought to him, examining the creature's four wings, brilliant green plumage and regal posture, raising his eyebrows behind a pair of glasses with golden telescopic lenses. The burly, blue-skinned man offering the strange animal crossed his arms proudly and the bird squawked, the pitch of its song causing immense pain to any within earshot and shattering a crystal goblet full of wine on a nearby table. Tivan uncovered his ears, laughing loudly and applauding. Money exchanged hands, and he forced the gorgeous bird into a soundproof glass cage on the wall with several other bizarre-looking creatures. Once the container door had been shut and the bird no longer able to be heard, Lyanne slunk out from the shadows to join her master. He smiled and scratched her head gently as he sat down to do both his monetary and inventory accounting. She emitted a happy purr and lay at his feet as he worked in his books. He removed his telescopic lenses, folding them back together and placing them on the table next to the broken goblet with a frown.
"CARINA!" he shouted.
The pink-skinned Krylorian ran over with small but quick steps, bowing at her master nervously.
"Clean this mess," he ordered, tossing a soggy set of papers in her direction.
"Yes, master," she mumbled, sparing a hateful glance at Lyanne as she turned away.
Tivan sighed and reached for his pet again. She lifted her snout to meet his hand, rubbing her head against his palm and allowing his fingers to slide through her purple mane. She had filled out nicely, her coat glossy and lustrous once more, her mane and tail full and flowing, her muscles taught. She made a stunning addition, but he could not bring himself to cage her – she had become his most adored pet, elegant and obedient, attracting more business and attention when museum customers or clients came to call. He did not always boast of her former connections, however; though she had been implanted with an advanced tracking device and Knowhere was heavily guarded, he did not want to tempt some of his more unsavory visitors, or, least of all, nosy Asgardians. He respected them, but did not want a single one sniffing about looking for their former prince's companion, mute and mindless though she was. He scratched under her chin and she purred more loudly, closing her eyes and resting her head on his knee.
"Ah!" he said, "I almost forgot again!"
He jumped up with a flourish and reached into a nearby cabinet, retrieving a small, dusty velvet bag.
"I was going to wait until you had been here a year, but after looking through your papers again, I realized I missed your birthday last month. Earth time runs differently than here," he said, gesturing to the plush bag with grandiosity. She looked at it with mild interest, expecting a treat like an obsequious dog (which was not an inaccurate comparison). Tivan rolled his eyes and gestured for her to stand, which she did, speechless as always. He had read through her information, finding out that before the Earth group HYDRA had done whatever they did to break her, she had once had fully-functioning thought and speech capabilities. He regretted somewhat that should would never be able to reason or talk again, but decided it was probably for the best. It was much easier to keep her obedient if she didn't have the intelligence or passion to fight back. Opening the drawstrings of the rich bag, he reached inside and procured a gem-studded leather collar large enough to fit around her neck. Inscribed on the inside of the neckband was Taneleer Tivan's name and the galactic coordinates for Knowhere, while the silver tag that hung from the belt bore Lyanne's name. He looped it around her throat and clipped it, the tag hanging against her collarbone. She looked at it quizzically, disappointed it was not something edible or useful, but sat back down at his feet and licked his hand all the same. He chuckled and stroked her fur while Carina looked on from the shadows, wringing a cloth in her hands.