[video] Searching for parents

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch looks a little harried and stressed today when the video feed begins. There is a little axolotl clinging to a front lock of his hair, gently chewing. He either doesn't notice or doesn't care as there is urgency to his gaze and tone. ]

Should anyone encounter a pair of ambystomae - I mean, axolotls - with a carnivorous tendency, please abstain from killing them immediately and inform me of their location. I need to return their child to them.

[ This won't stop anyone killing the many axolotls involved in the search but he has to hope he finds the parents before they're accidentally killed. ]

Comments

[emet_sulk]

[ A deep sigh. ]

Perhaps. But I don't think it feels daunted at all by the journey. If anything, it seems perfectly content to eat and explore.

[ He pokes the axolotl in the stomach. It wiggles breifly but opens its mouth and drops into his waiting hands. Keeping a secure but gentle hold on the creature, he shows it to her. ]

They are carnivores it seems. I do not want to imagine what will happen if the adults are left to terrorise the population.

[hellofishies]

I would want to eat and explore too if I was it!

Do you think reuniting then will prevent terrorizing?

[emet_sulk]

I don't know. It may not. They may choose to rampage a little longer as a lesson against stealing their kin. Since they seem to lack command of whatever common tongue is spoken here, I can only hope the child can convey the story to its parents.

[hellofishies]

I could try telling it something! Sometimes I could talk to birds back home. Or fishies. But sometimes understanding of intent is universal. Maybe they will sense you didn't mean real harm.

[emet_sulk]

[ He raises his eyebrows - not to doubt her words but in mild surprise. Does she possess something like the Echo...? ]

Well... You can try with this child first, perhaps. I wouldn't want you to be attacked by those invading.

[hellofishies]

I wouldn't want that either. I'd feel bad if I hurt them.

[emet_sulk]

[ He rubs the baby axolotl's head gently with a finger then puts it down in front of him. It stares at the shellphone screen (not quite at her since it isn't looking at the camera), blinking slowly, smiling that gormless smile. ]

It should understand you on a basic level, I believe.

[hellofishies]

Then I can try to talk to it!

[emet_sulk]

[ Well. Being a baby, one probably shouldn't expect coherent sentences. But if she concentrates, she might get a sense of it being...hungry? As it makes garbled squeaking noises.

Emet-Selch just glances between the axolotl and his shellphone screen, waiting. ]

[hellofishies]

[ She's really concentrating on this. White eyes glow as she tries to see about anything there. It's harder with some distance but hmm ]

You should get them food.

[emet_sulk]

[ He rolls his eyes and sighs. ]

I have done nothing but feed this creature since we found it.

[ He leans past the camera with one hand still holding the axolotl securely, rummaging for something. When he sits back, he has a small plate of raw meat strips. The axolotl wiggles excitedly and sets it down so it can eat. ]

[hellofishies]

It's a growing little buddy! Those need a lot of food! Or maybe you're not giving it the right food.

[ Did you think of that??? ]

[emet_sulk]

I'm not about to butcher someone to satisfy its craving for manflesh.

[hellofishies]

Oh. That would be bad. Maybe there's something else it likes too

apologies for late tag!!

[emet_sulk]

Red meat seems to be its preference, as you can see, but it will also accept seafood. Which does not surprise me considering their tribe's home.