[ As it turns out, the Ring-Spirit is... pretty deeply asleep! So Ryou will have to awaken him after all. On being awakened, it takes the Ring-Spirit another moment to figure out why there's a leopard right there, his expression startling briefly before he recognizes Ryou. He huffs a slight laugh when he does, then motions to his ears. When he speaks, his voice is a little too loud, like he's talking over something. ]

H-haa...

You'll have to speak up, I'm afraid, the curse hasn't run its course yet. I was tired and you were taking forever, so...

[ He half-shrugs easily, as if he's explained anything at all. ]