This Life You've Kindled - X Wanderer Prompt

“Your biome, as well as the bit of biome you gave to me… I hear it’s sometimes called developed, colloquially. What does it mean for a biome to be ‘developed’, to your understanding?” Telei asked their much taller creator.

X had quickly learned this little fungi morph they had created enjoyed talking. More than that, the little esk known as Panteleimon enjoyed talking to X. They sought it out to converse with, even.

“Developed biomes are built upon humanity’s creations,” X began, then paused. In truth, that was where the explanation generally both started and ended, for most esk. But, somehow it doubted Telei would be satisfied with that. 

Telei tilted their head, the dandelion leaves poking out atop that feature of theirs tilting as well. “But you were here before the humans were, weren’t you,” and it was not a question.

X had not told them that. But Telei sought out other conversation partners too, part of why X remained so surprised they returned to it like this to speak. “If you already know the answer, why are you asking?” it responded, approaching a demeanor that might be called grouchy.

“It was just… I was thinking—“ And at this, X snorted, “—Some esks don’t like any humans at all, because they hurt the environment, even if not all humans intend to, and some even try not to.”

X wasn’t sure it liked where this was going, but it gave a slow, towering nod.

“Well, I think those esks are stupid,” the little fungi morph bluntly finished. 

That was not where X had thought this was going, and it tilted its head, minutely, watching Telei with something that might mean curiosity in those currently hard to fathom eyes. 

Telei was happy to continue at the hint, barely there though that hint was, “If you’ve been around since the beginning, like all the others, then when a biome shifts to being developed, it’s doing exactly that- shifting. In the same way oceans give way to landmasses, and plains become forests. It was always meant to happen, one way or another.”

Enthusiasm was clear in their voice. “So, like I said, those esks are stupid, because developed is a biome like any other! It’s part of nature, and it was always meant to be! Because to develop is natural,” they proudly proclaimed.

And perhaps this was why X did not mind Telei’s tendency to talk to them. Telei was many things, like small and chatty with a tendency to think a great deal, but Telei was insightful, as well. Telei found beauty in the world, even the developed biomes that some esk hardly counted as biomes, in a way that was so very logical yet whimsical all at the same time.

X felt seen by this little esk it had created. But it was curious, now. “So why did you ask?”

“Well… I was sort of wondering what would happen if humans disappeared, for one reason or another. And… You’re not wrong that humans are the cause of development so long as they’re around. But… I think, even if we had to wait for a while, that one day, since development is natural, that another species would fill the void,” Telei admitted.

“The world is in a constant state of change, but no matter what, I think there will be a place for us,” Telei finished with a thoughtful nod.

“Us?” asked X, and for once it was not only just pluralizing itself, but was also including another. “You as well?”

Telei looked with wide eyes at X, confused by this question. “Well, of course! It’s my biome too! …I guess I might have to shift my boundary one day like some do, since developing biomes are very quickly changing, but… I’d never change my biome. You gave it to me, after all. And good friends take care of gifts they’re given.”

Perhaps, X considered, Telei was wrong about one thing. The true gift in this situation was not necessarily the biome, though it may be a gift. The true gift, X could not help but feel at this moment, was Telei. 

Telei and the friendship they offered to it, their creator, as well everything connected to X, so freely. 

It was a good name that the little esk had chosen for themself after being changed, X thought. Panteleimon, the all-compassionate. 

Yes, Panteleimon had chosen a fitting name indeed. It was not too big for them, despite their small form, for their compassionate nature was larger than life.

They were so happy to be. X had wondered if they would thrive at all as an esk, considering how they had been as a human. But clearly, X had been wrong to wonder at any outcome other than this.

“That is good to know,” X spoke in its honey-sweet voice.

…Perhaps it should not have said anything. If Telei had been a hound, their tuft of a tail would have been wagging.

“Love you too, Creator!” Telei joyously proclaimed, then darted off before X could swat at the mischievous little sprite.

And maybe, if X had a mouth, they would have smiled even as they thought such. But they were certainly not telling their creation that.