The Legacy of Unpleasant Spiciness

<Sense of smug satisfaction>

The way clears through the corridor of the Guild Station, as Unpleasant Spiciness, the first Vourac Cartographer in the history of the station, trundles their way merrily through the crowds. Freshly returned from their very first expedition, they're making a flighted-insect-line towards the bio-engineering lab of Kaila Syvour. Any passers-by equipped with a Vourac translation device would receive an air of satisfaction as the Vourac marches onwards on their mission, depositing spores into the station's atmospheric scrubbers as they do so.

Nestled in a satchel on their side, something moves.

<Anticipation of revealing a surprise>

<Burgeoning friendship>

The door to the bio-engineering bay hisses open one short shuttle ride later, and Spicy steps through.

<Triumph>

And catches sight of a security officer, holding aloft a piece of paper.

<Sensation of ground giving way beneath your feet>

“Oh, hullo Spicy. How's t'expeditionin' going?”

The security officer's words are roughly translated to match the Vourac's physiology, and a few moments later, a series of mycelial puffs airburst about the laboratory.

<Great success>

<Feeling of mundanity>

<The all-too-familiar smell of ink on paper, in which one has to apply too much thought for such a tedious task>

“Ah, lot o' paperwork, eh? Well, been good ter see yer. And you, keep yer reports up ter date, we've 'ad enough of keeping a close eye between you an' the cyberneticists.”

With that, the officer leaves, and Kaila turns back to the Vourac.

<Faint sense of guilt>

“Oh, a little white lie won't hurt them. So, how did it go?”

<Triumph>

<The feeling of joy welling up inside as you look upon an adorable creature>

<Stinging pain as something bites your hand>

“Oh, you got it! Oh, bring it out, I'll get you a plaster”

Kaila scurries off, as Spicy reaches inside their bag, pulling out a tall, thin rodent, placing it on the table in front of them. The creature, a find Spicy made on their recent survey, stands up tall on its hind legs to survey the lab. Informally, Spicy named this one <Pain response in left manipulating appendage>.

“There we go, I'm coming Spicy, let's see what we have here!”

As Kaila approaches the workbench, plasters in each of her hands, the door sweeps open once more. The security officer walks back in.

“Nearly forgot, Thealynara told me–”

All four of them freeze, as the officer catches sight of the rodent peering back at them.

<Plummeting feeling of being caught out in a lie>

“'Ere, what in bleedin' Vee's name is that!”