"A'right," Hawk said, standing behind Liya with his arms folded, "Luu said you gotta keep these things inside for a few days so they know where to come back to, but after that they come an' go as they please."

(Luu had peaced out in the middle of The Séance to follow leads. They are not interested in ghosts.)

"Okay," Liya said, busy undoing the toggles that kept the lid on the cylindrical basket, which was sat in her lap. Whatever was inside the basket was silent.

"...Luu also said they ain't easy to make friends with," Hawk added. "An' not to feel too bad if they don't like you for a long time."

"Okay."

"Suyan was only just startin' to make any progress with 'im."

"Okay, okay." Liya sat back with the lid of the basket in her hands, having placed the basket on the floor next to her with the opening facing away, to let the creature inside come out. "Here ya go, Pípi! Your new home base."

The creature that slunk out of the basket was nominally cat-shaped; it was fluffy, with skinny legs that ended in hand-like little paws, and a head that looked almost owl-like. As soon as it noticed Liya, though, it opened a surprisingly wide beak and puffed itself up, hissing offensively.