Welcome to Gaia! ::

"But I'd make it easier," Leila added, "and Biscuit's probably there?"

< I didn't want to think you're being dishonest, but your tone changes a lot when I mention my familiar. Why is that? >

The devourer.

< By Devourer... you mean my bird.Who's a ground-foraging insectivore. >

Friend had foreshadowed that with some of its communications a while back. Still, the problem still felt kind of ridiculous. They were upset with her. Because they'd gotten jealous.

Of her ground-foraging insectivore, who was definitely capable of eating a termite.

< I should have visited you the moment the bond started. I'm sorry. >

"I don't think of you as food," Leila replied with a baffled expression and tone. "Um, and your feelings are understandable, but... I didn't know your colony wanted a relationship?" She sent over brief images of things she thought would make sense, like soldier termites being fed by workers -- something she'd done herself for Friend plenty of times, she ended up adding, carefully scooping bits of wood pulp to him on a pin or toothpick. At the same time she was crossing her arms almost defiantly.

< I'll help you, it's the least I can do, but I've been running under the impression this was more a professional contract. > Because she wasn't a deadwood termite. < If you want something different we can talk about it when you have your treasure back and I have Biscuit back. Otherwise we're both mixing up too many emotions. >

She was having this conversation with a deadwood termite.

"Okay, then. We can review the specifics... or discuss compensation? When I'm back."

The clarification was sort of a relief.

"Just show me where I need to go."