The basodrille /ˈbæsɪdɹɪl/ is a cerise and white stranger with thin, dark extensions at the tips of its jaws, tail, and fingers. It can be further characterized by its jagged, hard jaws,^𐊉 which are strong enough to crush bricks.

The basodrille's surface is much like a synthetic human dermis. When touched,^𐋇 it tightens against the firm tissues beneath, which resemble the foam of an office chair cushion, albeit denser.

The strain's voice is identical between individuals, and sounds like a woman's voice. Artificial, yet only just so — the cadence and tone recall that of a telephone operator. In its speech, it primarily borrows phonemes (and some full words) from the daily language spoken^⼂ within its territory.

The basodrille appears in administrative offices that contain both a reception area, and at least ten desks. It does not appear within abandoned or derelict spaces, though it does like outdated furniture, electronics, and decor more than it does new. As long as conditions^Ꮎ remain unchanged, infestations tend to be recurrent.

The basodrille's generation is abrupt,^Ⴃ flicker-fading into existence with a resounding twang.

Newly generated basodrille are 70% the size of their mature peers, although their proportions and behaviour are no different. Young basodrille age gradually, becoming fully mature at just over three months of age.

The basodrille possesses a surly and ill-mannered (but not volatile) temperament. Through a small territory, it paces in paths that gently follow the locale's daily routines. When in motion, the stranger stalks forward with an unraveling and extension of its long fingers, its steps neither hurried nor short, but instead overreaching. Each footfall is accompanied by a backwards bobbing of the head, which grows more pronounced in older individuals. Carrying itself from desk to hall, and desk to cabinet, the basodrille simulates the actions of the space in a scattered, abridged manner.^𐑖

It does not engage in any such impression for any length of time, however, nor does it tend to return to a behaviour that has already been performed. In addition, though it is equally dextrous as a human and shows no difficulty in manipulating the world around it, the basodrille does not utilize its hands^Ꮊ in strictly human ways.

When at rest, the thin, dark tendrils of the basodrille's lips and fingers roam^Ⴡ independently of one another.

The basodrille speaks to its companions often, in what seems to be an involuntary act. Each basodrille limits itself to a number of phrases, which, in turn, are influenced by the phrases spoken by its companions. As such, its conversations tend to be branching, but ultimately repetitive. Though one lone basodrille emits only several utterances per day, groups of basodrille spend hours at a time engaged in chatty displays.

The basodrille bullies^𐑕 its companions.

The bullied basodrille reacts only minimally. It may look surprised or offended for a moment, but quickly returns to its own pursuits.

Each basodrille engages in these interactions numerous times a day, and is particularly cruel towards juvenile individuals, and knocks them to the ground over and over, or holds them down and places its weight upon them to crush them.

The basodrille causes no lasting harm with these actions, nor do victimized individuals hold grudges.

The basodrille treats sensitives the same way it treats its companions; it bullies^𐑗 them.

Though the basodrille is light enough that it can be pushed off, it is preferable for the sensitive to endure physical contact, as any resistance causes the muscles to soften and detach from the bone.

All bullying behaviours last for less than three minutes, after which point the basodrille grows suddenly disinterested, and returns to its routine. Bullying recurs in three to five minute intervals, growing less vehement each time (from yanks to rug burns, and shoves to pokes), until after five to eleven ribbings, further bullying behaviour towards all sensitives disappears completely.

When not engaged in bullying, the basodrille is tame enough towards sensitives to tolerate all handling. It especially allows a sensitive to place a small, round item (such as a golf ball, walnut, or cherry) into its mouth. Guided by gentle pressing on the part of the sensitive, the basodrille cracks down upon the object. Performed successfully, the individual begins to express one of four behavioural subtypes.^𐑔

When attacked by a sensitive, the basodrille appears surprised. Despite a jaw strength that could break bones with ease, the basodrille does not utilize its maw as a weapon. Assault by a sensitive tends to be greeted with confusion, stupefaction, and then surrender.

A basodrille near the end of its life span gravitates towards other individuals in a similar stage. The pair loses any remaining antagonistic tendencies, and focus their attention towards each other. When it is time for them to die, they walk shoulder-to-shoulder and lie down in unison. Their death snaps them out of existence with the same degaussing shimmer that marked their birth.

The basodrille cannot die on its own; it must either wait until another basodrille reaches the end of its lifespan, or die of unnatural causes. A singular late-stage basodrille bullies itself with weak punches, half-hearted pinching of the skin, and limp slaps to the face, as it displays a silent but exaggerated mockery of distress. When the lone individual is attacked during this stage, however, it does not seem relieved, but instead curls its tendrils around itself and gives up, shuddering in fear. Once it dies, it degausses and fades away no differently than its coupled peers.