Hunger.

The sharktopus pulled herself along the ground, slorping to the feet of a half-elf. The creature looked up at the half-elf with little black button eyes.

My Mama.

The sharktopus gently bonked her nose against the half-elf’s legs.

My Mama pat?

Bonk, bonk — more insistent nose nudges, followed by more intense staring.

Pat?

The half-elf broke off her conversation and bent over the abomination, running her hand down the bumpy skin along the creature’s spine.

“Yes, you’re looking very cute. You want some pats? Good girl!”

Yesssss.

The half-elf’s conversational partner watched the proceedings with interest. The sharktopus was drooling in pleasure, saliva dripping from her razor-sharp teeth.

“How does that not hurt your hand? It feels like trying to rub sandpaper!”

The sharktopus wrapped a tentacle around the human male’s ankle.

My Papa.

“It does a bit, but it makes her so happy!”

The human pulled out a bent stick, and made as if to throw it for the monster to fetch.

My Papa play?

Wise to his wiley tricks, the beast shot out several tentacles and attempted to catch and eat the stick before he could even throw it.

“No-no-no stop that, put that down, Squiggles!”

Uh oh.

Spooked by the displeasure in the half-elf’s voice, the abomination dropped the stick and slorped away. Eventually she came across some other party members.

“Greetings, Lady Squiggles! I see you are looking lovely, as always.”

My Husband. Love.

A beautiful man in a billowy tunic and green leggings bowed to the beast. The beast writhed in pleasure at his address.

Joy.

A fellow abomination skittered in a semi-circle around the sharktopus, its many eyes flaring in the light as it assessed the smaller being.

“Oh, my dearest darling, that is a truly amazing dance. It’s so evocative. We simply must work out a routine together some day.”

My Wife. Love.

“You realise this creature cannot understand you?”

Hiss.

The monster snarled in pure rage at the interloper; a red-headed man with tattoos glowing on his chest.

“My lovely little sweet here understands you perfectly, it seems!”

The spider stepped between the human and the sharktopus.

My Enemy.

“She is simply reacting to our tones of voice. I would scarcely call her intelligent.”

Hunger. Enemy. Eat.

The sharktopus launched herself at the glowing human. She couldn’t seem to get her mouth to attach to his leg, but attempted to bite through the bone with great enthusiasm.

“Squiggles, stop chewing on Definitely Bad Guy! What did I say about trying to eat people?”

Shame. My Mama mad. Sadness.

The sharktopus spat out the human’s leg and flattened herself to the ground in remorse. After a moment she peeked up at the half-elf.

“Aw, how can I stay mad at you when you’re so cute?”

Yessss. Success. My Mama happy! Happy! Dance!

The sharktopus abandoned her pose of shame and started giving her most complicated dance in celebration.

“Man, it’s oddly hypnotising.”

My Papa! Papa play?

The sharktopus felt something rumble inside her, and abruptly stopped dancing.

“Clam-clams for my tum-tum?”

Responding to an unseen voice, the sharktopus wrapped some tentacles around the half-elf’s arm and gently tugged. Her doll-like eyes seemed to glisten with pure hunger.

“Aw, Squiggles, are you hungry? Do you want a treat?”

“Tum-tum go yum-yum!”

The sharktopus swept up the clams she was given and shovelled them into her maw, sending them to the place deep inside her where her friend lived.

“Thank!”

Friend.

“Otto loves you~!”

Happy.

And then, filled with the joy of it all, Squiggles danced.