“Explorer’s log 111425: The hunt for the elusive hypnos lamiatus remains inconclusive. Reported sightings from the nearest city forty miles out appear to have been overblown, or confused with an anaconda or other large reptile. Thankfully, the weather is clear, so I can get away with a simple tarp tied between two trees.

“Sigh… this is disappointing. I know I shouldn’t have expected legends of a hypnotic half-snake half-human to be true, but… wow, what if, huh? It’s like something out of a weird wet dream-”

(rustling sounds)

(quick breathing)

“Ah. Hello there, little one. I couldn’t help but hear my name.”

“Oh… oh, there it is. I see it. Its voice is…”

“Captivating? Mesmerizing?”

“Ngh… so it’s true… it can…”

“She, darling. She can…”

“Hypnotize… people…”

(tightening coil sounds)

“Hm hm! That’s right! Well, not just people, but yes, people. And while my sultry voice is usually meant for ensnaring smaller prey, that doesn’t mean I can’t… have some fun with you tonight. You will join me, will you?”

“Mmmm…”

“Good. Now, you won’t need that tarp tonight. Not while you sleep with me…”

(Voices get more distant and disappear)

~

“Sigh… you could have stopped the recording there.”

“No, commander, I couldn’t! I was stuck up in that tree, and in a… well… you know…”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were in love with that thing.”

“No! It was the hypnosis! It’s not my fault I made all those… sounds…”

“Hmph. You can explain away that blush on your face all you want. But I guess you did ultimately get footage of the hypnos lamiatus. That’s proof enough.”

“That’s it? You don’t need any blood or tissue samples, or…”

“Is that an offer I’m hearing?”

“S-shut up! But… if you were to send me back out there… well… I could probably…”

“Tch. Fine. I’ll write it up as your next assignment. Just remember to ask it about a tissue sample while it’s smoking its post-coital cigarette.”

“Commander, I-”

“Dismissed. Check back with me tomorrow.”