h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

[Ecg]: *Looks down, after nodding*
"I think it thinks you are its parent."

*The imp hides behind Avatar for a moment and then looks back at them, using one hand to suck its thumb*

*Avatar looks down at the imp and glares at it. He kneels down to face it.*

*with some menace* What do you want?

[Imp]: "Poppa?"

[Ecg]: "I think it's an orphan."

[Ecg]: "Lesser demon, kinda like how dwarves and gnomes are different, or or orcs and goblins. More like the difference between lizards and lizardmen, almost. My dad was writing a book on things like these. He was having some trouble finishing it last time I had heard from him."

*Hails the cartdriver*

*Avatar rolls his eyes*

~Godsd**nit, I was supposed to be done with child rearing fifty years ago!~

*as gently as he can manage* Child, I am not your father. I may resemble him in some way but...*the imp keeps staring at him* oh, the h*ll with it, come on. Maybe they'll take you in at the guild. Gods know everything else is in there.

[Ecg]: "I think it likes you. You ought to give the little-fellow a name."

*Moves the stuff so that they can sit with the little guy in between them.*

*Avatar helps the imp into the coach and then pulls himself up*

Okay, how about *he thinks for a second* Pim?

[Imp]: *The imp smiles. It doesn't have too many fangs yet.*
[Ecg]: ~Look, it has batwings. Maybe they can make use of it as someone's assistant, to fetch things off of shelves... when older?~

Paroda road nears...

Pim it is then. And now, finally, we're heading home.

[Ecg]: "I should see how dad is doing when we get back. He would probably have some good advice on what sorts of things to feed an imp"
He adds in as an afterthought.