Finding a Bear-Leader

Three days, three days.
The Anonymous Patron had given me only three days to find my Bear-Leader (a chaperon for my Grand Tour).
I arrived, despondent, at Norma Jean's front door.
She led me into the kitchen and made some soothing tea.
I explained the problem. Just as she was reaching for that infallible Oracle, the Constance Spry Cookery Book, an insistent tapping attracted our attention.
Hieronymous the axolotyl was uncharacteristically mobile within his domain, his gills aquiver.
Norma Jean leaned closer, nodding, her face illuminated by the glow from a small model Moulin Rouge, a recent addition to the extensive decor of his abode.
'But of course, my dear Found, you need search no further. Here is your Bear-Leader.
Well, Axolotyl Leader I suppose really, but nonetheless, a most suitable chaperon for your European Odyssey'
This I had to agree was true, for if I took on faith Norma Jean's assertion of mystic guidance from the pages of the Constance Spry Cookery Book, I had to accept also her certitude, that Hieronymous, in a past form, was indeed a milliner in Revolutionary Paris.
'But Norma Jean, I cannot understand him' I quailed as the flaw in this gleaming jewel of insight became apparent.
'But you shall. We shall practice. It really is not hard at all'
And so it transpired that, as you see from the photo, Hieronymous and I set sail on this grand adventure together.
He, comfortably ensconced in a specially fitted tank in my bag, myself attired in my new striped suit. I had some misgivings about the crew of the vessel, however Xavier assured me the blessings of Poseidon were with us.
The Anonymous Patron even came to see us off, having wholeheartedly approved my choice of chaperon. He arrived in a curtained sedan chair of red velvet, one gloved hand appearing to give a little wave of benediction. And so the Grand Tour began and we were bound for Greece.