That’s exactly the tension I’m trying to get right. My intention is for the creature to offer an invitation, not a deadline.
I’d rather have it wait while the player is actively moving blocks, then demonstrate only after a period of inactivity. And if the player starts experimenting again, the demonstration should yield rather than compete for their attention.
The tricky part is making the creature feel alive without making its patience feel like a countdown. It should be there when you need a nudge, but never make you feel late.
I’m glad you brought this up — it’s a good test of whether the hint feels like a companion or just another system trying to manage the player.