Link was showing us one of his new robots when the animal with teeth arrived.
I assume Deni will ask him at some point if he is too old for flying machines. That they must be a direct violation of Mr Chamson’s rules. I have the same thoughts. Link zooms them over the tanks, and their whizzing blades and grinning faces stress me out. The occupants never get too close, bar a rogue purple tentacle in 539 whipping the air.
Last week he told me off for having my shift untucked. He insists on a uniform check every day. How crazy must the stains on Deni’s clothes drive him? Her occasional smells of overripe banana? Yet despite all that, off he goes with his toys around the Stitch. I know communities of adults who enjoy them exist, but this is my first encounter with one in real life. Can they not let go of their childhood?
I have to remember how well he knows his stuff. Like with all those teeth.
We do not get emergency arrivals too often at the Stitch, but they cause full action stations when we do. The rainbow crayon lines turn scarlet in angry diamonds. A new tank is essential They can splash around in the holding area for a little while, but this is a dangerous long term option. Especially with what appeared today.
I do not have another similar reference point in any other tank. The creature was longer than a tipped up vending bear, with teal scales, and a dozen sets of legs. Feathers hung from each ankle like tiny sets of wings, leading up to a barrel shaped body. A long, beamish snout pointed triumphant like an Ibis exploring the air. But most of all, so many teeth. All of them oily and shiny at the same time.
Link’s robot reversed and whizzed back to him with a few turns of his watch. He ran over, one hand raised, shouting for us to stay back. This was no problem. Our new arrival snapped that huge mouth together three times, huffing and grunting on each exhale. The holding pool reached no further than twenty-four scraggy kneecaps, and I worried it was going to jump out, and drag one of us towards the sky.
Deni wandered after Link, and patted him on the shoulder.
‘With teeth…that large…you wouldn't have to worry about…..’
Link pushed them back.
‘Not now Deni. Can’t promise it, but she may just need to acclimatise. Get 592. ‘
With a hacking noise, the animal opened its mouth again. Three smaller versions plopped into the water, each a similar translucent blue.
‘592!’ Link shouted, a different man to the one that flew his weirdo airplane round before.
592 is on wheels. Between Deni and I we had it over in minutes. Most important of all was the hatch embedded on the side. With a flick Link had all four swimming free.
I am sitting next to them on my lunch break. The babies follow their mother around in a loop. And if this wasn’t what I am here for, I do not know why I am here.
Do I really want to leave?
Clip: Such amazing creatures in this clip! They remind me of the Butter Mouse. And what is that gorgeous colourful structure at the end? Perhaps my favourite clip so far.