This time Hythlodaeus laughs. Once again he holds up the ladybug still exploring his hand.

"Oh, I imagine these would make truly poor prey! Unless you were a small avian, of course, in which case you might have fallen for the said aposematism." He points to the ladybug's bright wings, and as though willing to play its part the bug actually raises them a little. "'Tis this manner of bright colouration meant to ward off predators. Seen in many creations, of course, but most common in marine life, I would say."

Maybe the Ancients were just nerds.