It's probably just a trick of the campfire, but the cat's expression almost makes it seem like its smile is all the wider at the way Astarion describes cats as people. But... no, surely it's just an unusual feline, and a mere illusion. Daan, for his part, just quietly scowls; maybe he just isn't an animal person? Difficult to say, for what little he expresses other than disdain for this creature.

Yet, he doesn't seem put off by Astarion sauntering closer to examine him and the larvae both. He holds up the bottle, as if offering the other man to take it and observe.

"I'll admit I haven't made much effort in examining mindflayers and their parasites in the past. Not exactly a common condition to encounter someone with a tadpole, even less an illithid willing to discuss the matter." Daan considers a moment. "When I examined the body on the shore, the brain was still whole. Though maybe the person in question didn't have their tadpole for long, I don't think it's that simple. So, based on just a cursory examination, I suspect that maybe there's something odd about our batch. I'll need to research a bit more to have a better understanding. Maybe the druids have a robust library they're willing to share."

Daan doesn't sound particularly hopeful about that.