[ Alex doesn't dignify the statement about Remi, taking the shield in hand. He's pretty sure he's had more experience with shields here than he ever did even when he'd really thrown himself into medieval reenactment training. At least the clothing here is more comfortable. ]

It does make sense that they'd be connected. As much as most animate life here seems adapted to subterranean life, these have been the only two burrowing mammals we've seen. Also the only mammals- for lack of better taxonomic classification given the venom and tentacles- that we've seen.

I've trained Crow to let us know when there's a scent trail as well. I'm going to be hungry for a day or two, but he'll be reliable. [ He nods down to the cat/bird creature, who looks up from licking his paw when he hears his name mentioned, tilting his head upward at the humans around him. He chuffs slightly, as if knowing this task is below him, but he's deigning to co-operate for Alex's sake. Someone has to keep his pet nerd safe, after all. ]