"You ever seen a Screeb?" the Hunter asked and tilted his head toward the Eliksni before him. They perched on a stack of crates, spending their break well above the hustle and bustle of the Variisis Core.

"I've heard of them through Scribe Eido's retellings, but never seen one. Are they not simply small, bulbous creatures?" the Eliksni inquired and folded both sets of his arms.

"That explode."

"Yes, but… I don't understand the fear induced by them," the Eliksni said. "Surely something like an Ahamkara would warrant more terror?"

"He's just mad that every time we encounter them, he somehow always becomes their target," a Warlock said. "It's practically serendipitous." She hopped up onto the crate beside the Hunter, who rolled his eyes.

The Eliksni chuckled.

"What about those Tormentors?" said a Corsair, placing a box down and joining the conversation. "Hearing your bones strain while within their clutches…"

The Eliksni tapped his mandible and nodded slowly.

"Agreed, worse than a Screeb," the Warlock declared.

"Okay, fine, what's the scariest thing YOU'VE seen out there?" the Hunter bit back.

The Warlock didn't even hesitate.

"Eris Morn."

There was a long pause. Someone dropped something further down the street, and the noise echoed in their silence.

"…Yeah," the Hunter said. The Corsair and Eliksni mumbled their agreement. "Fine, but Screeb juice on its own—"

A bout of groans and disgust swept through the group as they scattered. The Hunter followed quickly behind the Warlock to continue his rant. The Eliksni shook his head and followed the Corsair in the opposite direction, inquiring further about the Tormentors.