"Your lusus is the giant monster that takes care of and raises you after you first pupate from grub to wiggler," Karkat says, annoyed that he has to explain such a simple concept. "Don't aliens have them? Do they just leave you out in the wastelands to fend for yourself? And what the hell's a tet?"

He sighs. "Look, he's wounded and not right in the 'pan, all right? I'm not sure if he even remembers how to fight."