To K, IN732Q flicks its ears. [Cannot. It does not know their name,] it admits. [But its friend, perhaps. It will ask.]
When it turns its attention back to Senku, though, its demeanor changes noticeably; its ears and whiskers all shiver aggressively at the same time, producing an audible hissing noise separate from the weird sounds it uses to communicate. The transceivers make an attempt to translate it anyway: [a n g r y]
Then, with a roll of its six shoulders, it seems to forcibly center itself again.
[No honor,] it says a moment later. [Lies. Killing. Bipeds far away ask for its help, bipeds far down ask for its help, both lies. Mistakes. The others asked, fighting, killing. The God of the Deep sings, and it ended.]
The creature pauses to exhale, perhaps in a sigh. Senku and K might note that this is the first visible sign of respiration that IN732Q has shown since they started talking to it, and it comes from their entire underbelly rather than the expected top of their trunk beneath the neck.
[Alone is tradition,] it explains. [Together is forbidden. Its territory must be respected. It will not allow you again unless it is earned. This is the way of things.]
Its head tilts slightly to the side.
[Its thoughts have been earned. It will share them if they ask.]
no subject
When it turns its attention back to Senku, though, its demeanor changes noticeably; its ears and whiskers all shiver aggressively at the same time, producing an audible hissing noise separate from the weird sounds it uses to communicate. The transceivers make an attempt to translate it anyway: [a n g r y]
Then, with a roll of its six shoulders, it seems to forcibly center itself again.
[No honor,] it says a moment later. [Lies. Killing. Bipeds far away ask for its help, bipeds far down ask for its help, both lies. Mistakes. The others asked, fighting, killing. The God of the Deep sings, and it ended.]
The creature pauses to exhale, perhaps in a sigh. Senku and K might note that this is the first visible sign of respiration that IN732Q has shown since they started talking to it, and it comes from their entire underbelly rather than the expected top of their trunk beneath the neck.
[Alone is tradition,] it explains. [Together is forbidden. Its territory must be respected. It will not allow you again unless it is earned. This is the way of things.]
Its head tilts slightly to the side.
[Its thoughts have been earned. It will share them if they ask.]