>> Hmm, just how many animals can this unnamed soup shape-shift into? <<

Quite a few.

>> Your blue canid link isn't working and I really wanted to see the picture because you're description of said canid was captivating.<<

Fixed, thanks.

>> Love the teal deer and blue ferret though! <<

:D

>> Whoever the unnamed soup is, they seem to know that they'll get away with thieving in animal-form instead of human form which is seriously clever.<<

Yep. Also, he's not actually comfortable with stealing, and feelings differ considerably across forms.

>> Does the unnamed soup also have some kind of hypnotic power or were they working with the surprise that Ansel had at seeing a blue canid?<<

Not exactly. Most of it is surprise.

>> It was kind of in the same vein as Macavity making his way into Damask's headspace and Maze taking a while to realise which was amusing.<<

LOL yes.