Deep in the woods, in the middle of southern Cascadia, there is a nest of glowing spheres, each about the size of a baseball, with many bee-like wings sprouting from its top. An experimental theologian has found a tree that is the perfect vantage point from which to excitedly sketch and record observations in his journal.
"It was here somewhere," gripes a voice that is rapidly approaching his tree.
"I swear, I wouldn't make this up. I told you, lots of wings, it glows! If I could just find it again...maybe it's a new species of bird, maybe we'll be in textbooks. Don't trip over a log or something, you know they'll blame me."
The man has returned to scribbling in his journal, but the scaled daemon on the branch above him nods a greeting as he climbs up.
A few of the spheres start to drift over in their direction.
There's a fairly detailed sketch of a few of the sphere-things, and some scribbled cursive notes in the margins ("Some alone in woods - part of the same group?" "Nest! Fabric inside - Is this what happens to missing socks?" "According to all the laws of aviation I know, they shouldn't be able to fly!!! Magic? Can they even see?")
The nearby creatures hover in a thin cloud in front of the tree, but don't seem to be coming any closer, or to be interested in the person on the ground.
Hesitant smile. "She's a pangolin, but they are similar to both, yes. Thank you. Scaled ant-eating mammals, but much better adapted for climbing trees, rather than burrowing or swimming."
She drops down onto her human's shoulder and wraps her tail around it, then leans forward to look at the other daemon.
He gets down to a slightly lower branch, then jumps out of the tree, swinging the net at the nearest cluster of spheres. A few are trapped in the net, and they all begin to make a screechy buzzing sound. The ones outside the net glow brighter, and start to expand like balloons.
The theologian seems more excited than alarmed, even as another half dozen spheres drift over, similarly glowing and growing.
"Oh, so they are. Thank you!" He starts backing away.
One of the creatures swells almost to the size of a human head, then splits open as it approaches, releasing a burst of air and green dust. A smaller creature drops out of the enlarged skin and flits away. A few more are approaching the same size. The dust itches where it touches their skin.
"Fascinating! That's... probably a bad thing. Ready to run?" He addresses both of them.