Chapter 109

“What’s your name?”

After I got over my little existential crisis and … well after I wait for the entire day for it to contact me, I ended up branching and connecting one of my mycelium tendrils towards a nearby tree root.

I send a pulse of nutrients towards the tree and get a response from the same pathway as last time about 20 mini mushrooms growths afterwards.

I don’t even get a chance to initiate the conversation as the first thing it sends is, “I apologize for my behavior during our last conversation. Encountering you was unexpected and I persecuted you without merit.”

I was a bit stunned. Right out the bat an apology without being prompted. Moreover an apology that sounded sincere but also one that didn’t excuse its past behavior. It seems as if having it for a conversation partner won’t be as insufferable as I imagined.

Stolen story; please report.

I spent a few seconds not being sure how to respond but I eventually send back, “I accept your apology, thank you for offering one. How about we start over? You asked me last time what you could call me. I’m guardian.”

What?!

Just because I accepted its’ apology doesn’t mean I still can’t be petty. Besides I like the name. It sounds classy and I’ve already chosen it, it’ll take too long to choose another. No judging.

Before I can say anything I hit em with the, “what’s your name” bit and this time it takes a while to respond.

“My kind do not have names as such but you may call me Elder if you wish.”

That’s a peculiar name but I can’t help but ask the burning and obvious question in my mind.

“ … I hope it’s not rude of me to ask Elder but what is your kind.”

“Ah apologies I forget myself, I mostly talk to other elders and conversing with you feels much the same. And no it is not rude to ask, I am the oldest living tree in this area.”

… Oldest. Living. Tree.

Oh fuck me, I think I’m talking to a mother tree.