Though not the only living inhabitants of the water-world, Aguatunesia, Aguatunesians do seem to be the only residents of said world with even the slightest interest in knowing the other sentient species populating the wider galaxy. These fishlike, aquatic humanoids, known to most as Aguatunesian Empaths, and to some as Mystic Nyts of the Sea (see Mystic Nyts of the Sea), are feminine in appearance and behavior, though it’s hard to pinpoint what their actual gender might be, as we only have the one to go on, and the Aguatunesians aren’t saying. Most individuals of the species are happy to be referred to as either she or they, though that may be because “they” share mind with all members of their community, and so any individual may be referred to in the plural. We just don’t know and are not sure they do, as they tend to look puzzled whenever the subject of gender comes up. It’s possible they don’t have gender, or understand the concept, and it’s also possible it’s just not something they think about much. Based on vague hints dropped in casual conversation with multiple human spacers, it is believed there exists at least one other biological Aguatunesian sex, though what he/she/it/they are like, we can only hazard a wild guess. Are they sentient? Intelligent? Or are they just organic drifting seed buckets? The jury remains out. Moving on, Aguatunesians are both empathic and telepathic within their own communities. When off-world, they’re able to feel the feelings of most of the living beings they run across, and can read the thoughts of other sensitives, though the quality of the “read” depends on the person being read. These psychic abilities seem to be enhanced by the ingestion of kelp-based edibles from the waters of their home world, so most of those who travel do so with a ready supply. The Aguatunesian language is a “sharing” of mental images and bodily feelings, aided by audible chirps, whistles, bubblings, and elongated and very diphthongal vowel sounds. Aguatunesians easily pick up Standard Spacer and other vocalized languages, when away from others of their kind, and in the company of those who speak those languages. Little is known about Aguatunesian culture, except that its members are loosely organized into schools and that they share the hearts and minds of their kindred. Therefore, their society is largely peaceful and, at least according to its more adventurous members, exceedingly dull. A whole lotta floating going on!

Note: Since the original writing of this entry, information regarding Auguatunesian empaths has come to light. It is believed, based on piece of stark verse composed by android Warrior-Poet Veep 7—arguably the best-known and most feared of the Vercadian Protector Droids—that individual Aguatunesian Empaths share a sort of race memory, each embodying a living history of their species. Of course, not every member of their species who travels out into the wider galaxy returns to their home world to reconnect with their school, so there would necessarily be some chapters missing. And if this is true, it is unclear whether any individual would have access to every bit of her-or-their carried memory at any given time. Veep 7’s stark verse follows:

past
lives
in
all
who cares?
they
swim