[holovideo - charm]

[weenwoon]

[ Out of nowhere you are treated to a holovideo of the charming ambystoma. The creature seems aware that it's being observed (much like a pet when you point your camera at it), tipping its head curiously.

Whoever is taking the video points a finger at the ambystoma, and a proud voice announces: ]

I approved that.

[ No further context is given, but the camera does follow the ambystoma for a little while more as it frolics around. ]

Comments

video

[heartofsalvation]

[A bewildered blink. Is that...?]

Ah. Yes, those have been spawning at a fairly steady rate. I've yet to confirm if it's because of the giant one we placed in the forest or due to some other circumstance, though...

[weenwoon]

[ Oh hi Elidibus! Hythlodaeus gives a wave. After all, they're practically coworkers (by proxy). ]

A giant one? Now that I would like to see! A natural development or conscious design?

[heartofsalvation]

I created it, actually! To serve a certain purpose in the woods. It should still be there; I check on it from time to time to make sure nothing is amiss.

[Or that no one mistakes it for a monster and decides to kill it.]

[weenwoon]

Oh? I was not aware you are familiar with their concept... yet I suppose 'tis no surprise with your diligence.

[ He chuckles, clearly endeared. ]

But a purpose, you say? Colour me intrigued. They are more suited to aquatic environments rather than arboreal.

[heartofsalvation]

They are indeed, which is why I tweaked the design a little bit to reflect living in a forest rather than near the ocean.

[Isn't that... basically an eft...]

I intended it to serve as a guardian for the fae that live in the brambles, in case anyone may wish to harm them by setting fire to the patch, for example. Erichthonios was quite worried when someone issued a threat, you see...

[weenwoon]

[ Wao sugoi that's an incorrect application of a concept! Being the nice person Hyth is, though, he won't say that out loud. ]

If it was a forest-dwelling creature or a guardian you needed, surely there was a different concept you could have picked... Or was there some particular reason why you chose the ambystoma?

[heartofsalvation]

[He's not wrong tho.]

I don't have knowledge of every concept, you understand, and there is no access to the archives here to look for an existing one.

[Why does he remember it so clearly? What an odd thing to pick out from memories that are only half-there to begin with...]

We needed to improvise. 'Twas the best I could do with what I had...

[weenwoon]

[ He hums in agreement. Well, can't argue with the fact that they don't have the archives here! ]

Oh, I never meant to scold you. 'Twas simply a curious choice. Say, would you be willing to show me where it lives? I would love to see firsthand how it's getting on.

[heartofsalvation]

I don't disagree on principle, but I would say the alterations have worked out fairly well for what it is. Anyway, I'd be happy to take you to it! I should think you would be a better judge of its adaptability than I.

video

[coordinatroll]

[ Mitama lets out a soft gasp, followed by a giggle as she watches the creature wander around. ]

Aww, what a cutie! What's his name~?

[ Naturally, she assumes it must be a pet... ]

[weenwoon]

[ He smiles at seeing her happy; though he was not the genius behind the ambystoma, it's still good to see it appreciated!

Unfortunately, he is not extremely familiar with the idea of a pet. ]

These are called ambystomae. Sweet creatures, are they not? Rather playful, too.

[coordinatroll]

[ Well, she supposes it still answers her question in some way. ]

That they are! I've never seen an animal like this before. Are they part of the local fauna, or does it come from your world?

Video | Charm

[beshackled]

[And what a delightful creation it is. Calming and benign. Entirely unlike the morbols also lurking about now.]

I... hope it is not too much trouble that we created its larger kin here without official approval from the Bureau of the Architect, given the new environment. Though I'm certain we made only the one...

It definitely wasn't a breeding pair...

sorry for late, work ate me ;; also thank you for tagging!

[weenwoon]

[ Oh Erich, ever so formal... Hythlodaeus can't help smiling at that. He waves a hand reassuringly. ]

Come now, you could hardly have obtained the permission in this land. And I would have given it regardless! Have you been observing it? How has it adapted?

[ There's genuine interest in his voice. Despite how lazy he may seem at times, Hythlodaeus does care about his work, especially when there is an element of the unknown. ]

Though if it has been able to propagate without a mate... that raises some questions. If this specimen is a juvenile, [ he points at his ambystoma again ] we can wait and see if it grows larger. Which would imply there is a breeding pair somehow.

It's fine. I'm having a Work Savage run myself.

[beshackled]

With the number of smaller ambystomae about, even if there wasn't a breeding pair before... 'tis likely there are several now.

But, to answer your question... it has adapted rather well, though we do supplement its aether. Creation magicks... do not seem to last here.

[weenwoon]

... Why, I wonder. Is something siphoning the aether away?

'Tis fortunate we have the esteemed Emet-Selch around, though. With his power there is no need to fear running out of aether.

How long will it take until awkward face changes. Place your bets now!

[beshackled]

Would that not... trouble him...?

[Would he not be disgruntled to be treated as an aether supply?]

Maybe Erich should have thought before asking Hyth about his ~best friend~!

[weenwoon]

Oh, do not take his grumbling too seriously! He is a kind man, and very sentimental besides... merely not very good at being honest about it. And if he ever refuses, you could let me know and I would speak with him.

[beshackled]

He... did seem concerned for me, in a way.

[Warning him away from caring about the 'mortals' too much... though the use of the world mortal as something to contrast against them raises... questions. He's not certain what to make of it at this point. He'll have few more pieces to that puzzle in the very near future.]

voice;

[scythedance]

I must say, it is quite cute. Erichthonios sent me a video of these creatures just awhile ago... So you are the one that created them? Or at least... Approved of their creation?

voice as well!

[weenwoon]

Oh, did he now? I am delighted to hear my work is appreciated in this land! Though, alas, I was not the one to create them, but I did help with the design somewhat. The ability to levitate gives them more opportunity to escape predators!

[ He sounds pretty excited about the little creatures. ]

[scythedance]

Oh? They can levitate as well?

I do wonder if they could live on my farm... I would not mind having these creatures around. They seem like a wonderful specimen.

[weenwoon]

If you provide them with the requisite conditions, I've no doubt they would thrive. But do be careful! A friend of mine once had to climb up a tree after an ambystoma.

[ He chuckles, clearly amused by the memory. ]

[scythedance]

I would not mind that. I am rather tall, so I may not have trouble, but none the less, I do wonder why your friend had to climb up a tree. Are they perhaps a slippery sort of bunch?