Never land inside my hand; Alcinder, any

[Ripley]

Most of their time, when not spent hunting, is on the borders of Pangea. Both of them are out today. Although there is no true sense of family between them, there is a sense of familiarity. They have hunted and lived side-by-side for decades. The smaller one does feel a sense of loyalty to its mother, who is the queen of their hive, and it is easy for the larger to play favourites when so few of its children have turned out to be perfect monsters. It is easy to spot the intruder when she has wings of sunshine, and when she calls out. Another has arrived - his scent is known to the monsters (though newly so) and so they do not pay him any mind. In fact, they come up behind him. There is a few metres between them and the boy but they flank him. Their presence, often, is enough. Their master had made it clear that no one in Pangea was to be harmed (not even chewed on occasionally) and there is a unique sense of loyalty to all who call this place home. Oh, they would eat him if they could - tear his blue wings from his shoulders and devour them whole - but they cannot. So their soulless black eyes are trained on the stranger, the intruder, and though there is nothing indicating they are about to attack there is a small hiss that emits from the larger of the pair. A question, a demand, a warning. Whatever this odd creature was here to do - it was best that she not cross the border nor give them a reason to do so themselves. RIPLEY AND NOSTROMO twenty-eight eaten to date