----------------------------------------

Entry 3 | Date Unknown | Gikk

----------------------------------------

As I was finishing the inventory, I felt large, warm limbs touch the entrance to my area. They barely registered on the edge of my awareness. However, they did not enter, seeming to wait for something. The creatures nervously tapped their feet. I hurried out of the liminal space to see who or what the creatures were.

Three creatures stood there, a block in height. Two long muscular legs supporting a thick torso. Their skin was smooth but had the fine texture and color of stone. Segmented shells covered their backs, shoulders, chest, and waist.

The creatures had two massive eyes and a pair of large ears. The latter adorned with fine bristly hair. Their two arms ended in six-fingered hands, symmetrical with four fingers and two thumbs.

The trio of tall creatures were guarding a smaller, less mobile one. They assisted it in reaching the edge of my domain. The diminutive creature tapped the ground once with a wooden stick, catching my attention. I studied it as it tapped twice and then thrice. After a moment, and conversing with the other three, it tapped a fourth time.

I took five quick breaths, causing the mushrooms to flash in response. The small creature nodded and talked with its taller companions. They seemed to object to something and then sighed in unison. The smaller creature patted each one on their upper legs and ventured deeper into my domain.

I hovered my vision around the creature’s head, trying to figure out why it was here. The creature leisurely strolled through the mushroom field. Watching the light show as the mushrooms reacted to my presence.

Noticing that it was heading directly for the crystal, I instructed the slimes to hide it. I flew over to see them rushing out from the field and surrounded the crystal and turned black. Cutting off the light to the passageway.

Flying back to the creature, I noticed it was marveling at the mana mushrooms. Taking the time to look at their thick stalks and teal lit flat caps. The creature picked three of the mana mushrooms. I felt a significant number of orbs fill. It felt like when I used to pop my knuckles.

It looked up and saw a patch of flamorels sitting on the ledge of stone next to the wall. It wandered over and carefully touched them. I never noticed that they did not give off any heat. Then again, without a body, why would I. They plucked one and marveled at the dancing flames inside the cap.

After several moments, they continued on. Taking one or two mushrooms from each patch along the way to the crystal. The more I watched, the more I realized it was so easy to get to my crystal. All one had to do was to follow the passageway. Having the slimes hide it wasn't a foolproof plan.

When the creature found the end of the mushroom patch and the swirling black mass of slimes. It sat down in front of it. Tucking its legs beneath itself, and rested the wooden staff on the ground, pulling out one of the mana mushrooms.

They savored the aroma before biting into it. As they did, blue and purple light flowed in their eyes. Angular and curving lines formed around them, swiftly traveling down their arms and legs, crafting intricate patterns. Their shell illuminated with even more lines, creating a captivating sight. They savored every morsel as they traced a hexagonal sigil into the air. Glancing at the shifting mass of slimes. They seemed to adjust the sigil accordingly.

The slimes condensed, and I was ready to spend orbs if needed. I tried to convey a warm feeling of thanks to them. They shifted their mass quicker in response.

Finally, the creature’s eyes dimmed, and the sigil vanished. I sensed a foreign energy probing my mind. Desperately, I tried to fight back. But the energy was unfazed and latched on.

An alien consciousness enveloped me as fear tightened its grip and in a moment of panic, I commanded the slimes to consume the creature. They leapt from the crystal and onto it. Then, to my surprise, I heard a faint, raspy voice utter, “Can we be friends?”

The question echoed in my mind. It was surprising to hear another creature speak. I bobbed for a moment in shock. A sudden muffled cry broke my stupor. I told the slimes to release the creature. They complied with caution, retreating while forming a protective circle. Poised to strike again.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Gasping for air, the creature began frantically rummaging through the folds of skin under its shells. It retrieved all the mushrooms it had gathered, along with some unfamiliar crystals, a few pieces of dried wood, and a handful of dried berries. As it shakily stood up, it revealed four small, round creatures.

The round creatures looked like the one that had licked me when I was still nestled between the two boulders. However, now that I’m able to see them at their proper scale, they are merely a centiblock tall and one and a half centiblocks wide. The taller creature gently picked them up and stowed them in the folds of its skin. Then settled back down, positioning themselves to face the crystal. Bathing them in teal light.

Once again, the lines adorning their skin and shell glowed with a radiant light as they consumed another mana mushroom and redrew the sigil. It hummed with life momentarily, then disappeared. I could feel that same energy latching onto my mind. Taking a leap of faith, I relaxed.

“Can we be friends?” It repeated. “I am Bea’Don te RaatrohMm, and my honorific is ‘xe.’ Who or what are you?”

I was unsure of what to say, so I stayed silent. The creature, Bea’Don, watched the pulses of light for a long moment. “Come on, I know you’re an intelligent being of some sort. Otherwise, the Merge Minds spell wouldn’t have worked. It’s okay. I’m a friend,” Bea’Don said warmly.

After several more moments of silence, “I’m a crystal.” I stated flatly. Bea’Don smiled, or at least I interpreted it as a smile. Their jowls beneath their eyes moved up and down repeatedly, and their shell emitted a soft clicking sound. Akin to that of a furry animal that would make similar noises. The memory it evoked was brimming with warmth, happiness, and a tinge of sadness.

“Good.” They said, then took a regular mushroom out of their shell and nibbled on it. They swooshed it in their mouth for a moment as if to test it. After several moments, they swallowed it. They did not take another bite. I assume they were waiting for something to happen. While they waited, they watched the slightly shifting teal color of my crystal. Clarifying that they were not leaving.

I wasn’t sure how to proceed. The last complex creature I interacted with was the walking corpse, and that did not end well. After several moments of deliberation, I finally asked, “What does Bea’Don te RaatrohMm mean? What does ‘xe’ mean?”

“Before I answer, are you willing to answer my questions and the questions of my colony? Bea’Don asked.

“Depends on the question.”

“It’s a start.” Bea’Don sighed as they readjusted their sitting position. “I only know how to explain this to our children. Please don’t take offense.”

“Since I know nothing about this world or your species, I might as well be a child.”

Bea’Don let out a series of loud clicks and grunts. I took the sounds as laughter. However, looking back on the event, I could’ve been wrong. This seemed to relax the small creatures as they came out of the folds of skin that were under her shells. After regaining their composure, they continued, “I’m referred to as xe,’ ‘xer,’ and ‘xes.’ This is typical for naimales. However, it’s not carved in stone. The colony encompasses a wide spectrum of spirit, and how we refer to ourselves is determined by each individual.”

I thought about that for a moment. ‘I think they are talking about pronouns? I remember it was important to refer to people with their preferred pronoun. However, I can’t remember why.’ I could not remember if I had any preferred pronouns. For that matter, I didn’t remember if I had a name or sex.

Bea’Don continued, “As for my name, it means ‘Bright Bee of Clan Crystal Metal.’”

“Crystal Metal? What’s that?”

Bea’Don raised one of those strange crystals up. “‘Crystal Metal’ are crystals that are harder than molten and shaped rock. When handled correctly, we can mold it into various forms. But they always keep its gem-like shine. The finished product is called ‘Crystal Metal.’” Xe put it back on the ground and looked up to ask a question of xer own. However, I was excited to learn about changing crystals into new shapes. On top of that, if Bea’Don’s clan name is Crystal Metal, that would mean they know a lot about the process.

I blurted out, “How do you mold and shape the crystal? Do you use fire or some other process?”

“Hold your rocks! First, who are you? What is your name? What honorifics do you use? At least introduce yourself. Before rock sliding me with a bunch of questions.” Xe huffed out.

I floated there for a moment, embarrassed. Xe was right. I should have introduced myself. However, I didn’t have a name to give Bea’Don. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a name, or I can’t recall having one. Nor do I remember having a sex or gender. Does your language have a word that describes what I am?”

“That’s unfortunate.” Bea’Don readjusted xer position again. The little round creatures tried to help Bea’Don move while keeping a close eye on the slimes.

“We explain to our children that when someone in my colony doesn’t have an honorific or hasn’t made a choice, we use ‘they’ and ‘them.’ As for a name, it is a tradition to give a newborn child a name based on an aspect or something significant observed at the time of their birth. The child then has the freedom to choose their own name once they are old enough. With that in mind, I would suggest the name Gikk.”

I took a moment to let the name sink in. Gikk. It felt like a good starting point for my identity. “Thank you, Bea’Don! You may call me Gikk! My honorifics are they, them.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gikk.” Bea’Don said warmly.