"He's a little anteater!" says Bee excitedly. "I forget exactly what this kind is called. They're so cute!" She smiles down at Simonides, who is still shyly enjoying Modomnoc's attention.

"I wonder what determines their shape?" she says. "You... you said you've met Modomnoc before?" She frowns, a little confused by the question for reasons difficult to pin down. Something's not right here, but she's not sure what.