[Gallagher]

The last of the angry writhing within his stretched stomach grew still. The burning discomfort, too, faded, what hadn't been forced out of healing punctures dissolved and devoured in his blood.

'Lo, I was naked, Lord, and thou didst clothe me.'

The Lion.

"I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked." He stood and looked to the minnows. A few were already gathering together. "I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls."

There, the Lion. Able to speak without speaking. Curious. "You live?"