"He's like a small child who found out he can have conversations with adults. We've been using our mutual powers to cook and clean up."

Francour focuses his large eyes on Ben and his tiny face becomes more concentrated and serious. It takes a couple of seconds, but he slowly smiles again and holds out one of his paws to Ben.

Ben! Ben, Ben, Ben. Hello Ben. Hello. Hello. You touch. Touch.

Mantis sighs, but there's a happy tone seeping into his voice. "See? It's about the level of a toddler learning to talk."