
Hope Passage :::: @Drag@Luminous Beings
When the man next to Ziz began laughing, a sliver of amusement actually crept into their chuckle. Here was another fine specimen-- well muscled and strong looking-- how fantastic an idea this had been! If all of these creatures planned on traveling together, even? Well then that would make everything all the better-- so much data could be gathered that Ziz figured they would need several more books. "Such a fine occasion, in which we find ourselves thusly," Ziz rasped, chittered, and clicked at the large being next to themselves, if only to court out the stirrings of jolly camaraderie from them.
Ways of the MEATSKINS involved such vocal dances and social navigation, as they were highly social pack animals-- it was all so simple but quite flat. These creatures relied on their flabby faces, their gesticulations, and their voices-- there were no temperature, scent, double-voice musicalities, or even complex multi-armed gestures in communication with them. Sure, they exhibited a wide range of voice pitches and scents, but they seemed mostly imperceptible other MEATSKINS and uncontrolled, which was rather baffling. Flat and dry and simple-- easy but not straightforward. Sentences and sentences after exhausting sentences to relay what took only a moment for the Gi-Syn-Yi.
Just as Ziz began to inwardly sigh, anticipating the inevitable response from the big Axe Man, unconsciously their antennae quivered with anticipation, as an even FINER specimen stomped into the tent. This towering Golem was one of the first Ziz had seen themselves, though there were records of them at home-- which wasn't too surprising since there were records for nearly every creature, back home. To see one moving, though? And to see it exhibiting some semblance of personal awareness? Ziz was staring at the golem now, intrigued and curious, practically vibrating with delight, when the Old Kaimerian walked in.
Now this-- this was a Physical Sciences and Creature Demibiographcation find for the century!
Plenty of Kairmeians had volunteered for vivisection and they practically threw their cadavers about for good use, but never one to such an age. Antenna wiggling, tongue flicking, and head tilted, Ziz tried to hear and smell over the nonsense happening in the tent-- was this Kaimerian alone? Were their senses mistaking them? Surely no one would leave one such as this alone to walk the desert and-- the bared belly and weathered skin on display? That could only mean--
"My my, Esteemed and Blessed Mother," the Vrxyl began in a voice, which crept through dark caves and chilled test subjects volunteers to the core, "Art thou here alone?" Again, Ziz began a low snickering-- the sound hissing and clicking with their dry vocal anatomy.
"That is enough!" Came the voice behind, causing Ziz to turn around slowly, if only to... leave the question suspended there. Oh, their mind did wander, quite quickly to the task of how they would get that Kaimerian beneath the sand. Seeing as they could not do it, as this would sever any sort of possibility for trust within the MEATSKIN heard, they would have to scent mark her. Yes... if the Vrxyl could get close enough to the Old Mother, for a long enough time, then they could spread enough pheromone salve and scent upon her so as to start a chain-- one strong gust would send the message, more would get it, carry it, and then--
"...These terms cannot be negotiated."
"I accept these terms," Ziz spoke up immediately, bowing with two arms, as they skillfully stowed away their journal. They truly had no interest in seeing Exhusia, the queen, nothing of the sort. Their mind had become focused on the singular task of how they could manage it-- to capture the Kaimerian.