Fey Tomato
The questions must be asked.1
Regular tomatoes are all the rage. They have a variety of benefits like being turned into a delicious condiment. Or health benefits like alleviating sunburn, lowering chance of disease and being a part of a general healthy diet. But they lack one thing that makes them incomplete. What if there were tomatoes that could do all of that, but communicate and do everything humans could do? Wait, that'd be creepy? No, that'd be awesome!
The eccentric little fruit then fled from her, eventually leading her to the campsite where Draconia Defense Force Team 12 had decided to rest for the night.
The second individual of the species, Tio, was discovered months later during the group's investigation of Briggs. This one seemed to materialize out of nothingness, as the wilds of Briggs have no native tomato-producing plants. Perhaps the species is a result of Igni herself? She has stated that she's capable of infusing life into plants, so the idea isn't so far-fetched...
Is a tomato a fruit? 2
Discovery
The species was first uncovered in the Aeternum Forest by Igni Patchfur. The minotaur had just recently run away from home and was wandering through the woods without a clue of where she was going. The first known specimen of this species, Clamato, then appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.Clamato goes Blegh by ObsessiveAme
Yes...a tomato is a fruit, Duaak....
Basic Information
Anatomy
Both specimens are spherical in nature and share the same body type, as well as physical features. They have a rounded body composed of leathery minotaur hide mixed with tomato skin. Their bodies are supported by four round nubs on their stomachs, complemented by a tail on the back end. They each have small, beady eyes and a pair of cow horns, along with a tuft of hair that seems to be foliage.
Extensive studies have yet to be done on the little fruits. Igni has shown great distrust in lending them over to our zoological department. Based off what we have seen and heard, the two members of the species at least have a digestive system.
They also are capable of emotional learning, so they must also possess a brain. This is further supported by Clamato's skill in drawing. Therefore, they must have two hemispheres of a brain, much like a normal humanoid would. Truly a puzzling species...
Clamato's Droppings (Not to Scale) by ObsessiveAme
Clamato Draws Gampy by ObsessiveAme
Genetics and Reproduction
WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU ASK THAT, THEY'RE CHILDREN????!!!!3
Behaviour
The two specimens both display extremely child-like behaviors. Clamato, while capable of displaying advanced intellectual capabilities like his drawing capability, spatial awareness and three-dimensional thinking, is limited by the fact that he is essentially a toddler. He seems to have no regard of self-preservation, as he lets his brother relentlessly use him as a dodgeball. When not engaged in eating or sleeping, he can often be seen wandering carelessly until he finds someone to play with him.
Tio, other the other hand, is a demented demon. He understands the human psyche on a level more advanced than we do, and he utilizes this knowledge to get what he wants. Luckily, what he usually wants is candy. This level of manipulation also extends to his brother, as he will trick Clamato into distracting others while Tio steals what he pleases from the pantry. He's definitely more intelligent than Clamato is in terms of pure knowledge. However, they both share the same amount of emotional maturity.
If a tomato is a fruit... does it belong in a fruit salad?4
Additional Information
Domestication
Neither member demonstrates any characteristics that would distinguish them as being feral. The species seems to come domesticated and imprinted onto a certain individual upon their birth. In both cases this person has been Igni, which only makes our theory that she is making them more plausible. At some point, we will have to try and recreate the circumstances of their birth.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
Clamato and Tio are both involved in the business of Defense Force 12, for better or worse. Their reports state that their presence is a positive one that increases group morale, that they've even partook in some missions to great effect! There is a faint possibility that they are connected to another organization, one that lies within the depths of the forest, within the realm of the fairies. Until we can draw a foolproof explanation, making assumptions without concrete evidence will only derail our studies.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Clamato and Tio are both proficient in the Sylvan language, the language of the fae. Tio is bilingual in that he also speaks Common. However, both of them communicate in a much more... surreal manner? Sylvan on its own is a very bizarre language that draws from Elven, but their tongue in either language seems to be an odd mix of sounds that just appear to be wiggling the tongue across the lips or roof of the mouth. The only ones capable of understanding this odd dialect/distinction without difficulty is Igni. Even other Sylvan/Common speakers struggle to fully understand it.
The sounds actually resemble a form of transmitted code? Perhaps it could be morse. Though it wouldn't align with the amount of beeps and mlems they produce during a sentence. Just what the hell are these little things? I've transcribed a segment of their communication with Igni below.
Show Spoiler
1Please, Duaak, don't do this. Not here. It's completely-
2Unneccessary....
3IGNI, HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE???
4GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, DUAAK. YOU AND GANVORTH BOTH NEVER STOP INTERUPPTING MY DOCUMENTATION SESSIONS! AND STOP WITH THAT STUPID JOKE, IT HASN'T BEEN FUNNY SINCE YOU USED IT IN YOUR EXAMINATIONS!
Scientific Name
Solanum lyconymph
Lifespan
Unknown
Average Height
1'-2'6"
Average Weight
5-10 lbs.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Discovered by
This article is a delight to read. Clamato and Tio seem like a lot of fun, and the footnotes are great. I especially like the "transcription" of their speech. I have to wonder, if Igni created them, is she aware of how she did it? And how did she create Tio when there were no tomato plants around? Did she do it on purpose? If so, why? I know all of this is beyond the scope of this particular article, but I can still hope that hints might be sprinkled elsewhere in your world.