Honestly, even nine million sounds like a small number to Rondo, but he's more interested in where they live, if not on a planet. There are, as far as he's aware, a limited number of alternatives. "Do you live...here?" He asks curious but wary of prying.

"I think our ancestors must have approached it more like that. There are carvings of Oshaan at old well sites, and almost all of the older mines have inscriptions to the Earth-veth. We've just lost so much, we--ee!"

He breaks off in a squeak as the one hatchling vanishes into his sleeve, biting his lip to stifle giggles. He's staying still, careful to be gentle with the snakeling, but that tickles.