It feels the brush of mind to mind, and flares with sharpening interest. For an illithid, psychic communication is like breathing: as natural and crucial as air. It touches back, hoping to begin a dialogue that way, with unspoken meaning overlaid upon spoken words.

"Not yet. But I suppose it would be to my benefit to find out."

Layered upon this: Scout is a good name, after all, for a useful member of a team. It would be absurd to harm a creature which could be of help to it, particularly in a new and unusual place.