"Add to this: they're incredibly adaptable creatures. The seas are warming in my world of origin, due to climate change, which is affecting the ocean life. Some species are dying off, but the squids and their cousins the octopuses are thriving and adapting," ne notes. "There's a lesson for us there: that we must embrace change as a chance to develop and adapt and become greater version of ourselves. But I suppose you're probably bored with my parables," he adds, wryly.

"A den of crabs? Why am I envisioning you stunning them with rocks and scrambling away?" he notes, almost mischievously. "I have a feeling it was just as well that I missed out on that particular local fauna.

"Paleblood, I think the call that kind. It sounds like a beautiful blood type," he says, with a hint of awe and admiration. "And it fits your magic and your personality." Perhaps it's a trick of the light from the string lights and a mist coming in from the sea, but a whitish vapor might start to rise from the back of his neck.