"A joke. A relative of mine was called that..." Something happened within the worm. It reared on its hind segments, tripartite mouth opening to expose rows of little knives. Its little roar was half squeal, a growl that rose abruptly at the end quickly out of human hearing.

"Stop!" I understand how you feel. But we must bide our time. The worm obeyed, no longer looking as if it were going to lunge at him, but it was far from quiescent. "I'm sorry...it seems being scanned distresses him." Her smile was all sweetness but her interior state was closer to the worm a few moments ago.