The Compromise

Years flew by and Floura's children were different.

The humans considered Kreo their leader and looked to him for everything. He took the role in stride, welcoming their concerns and desires. He listened and did his best to help. Often, he looked forward, trying to stay two steps ahead and improve their quality of life. Kreo molded himself around his followers and became the one they trusted and relied on. Fana, however, they grew wary of.

To them, Fana was the black sheep of the herd. She rarely interacted with them, only bringing food or necessary resources. They'd thank her, and she'd give her welcome before heading back into the wooded area. As time passed, so did her expressions and visits. She became more distant than before, even from her brother. When she returned, a harshness layered over her eyes and thoughts. The humans feared her for it, believing something in the woods was draining her.

But Fana knew the woods weren't at fault for her behavior. She also knew that herself and Kreo weren't the only ones to change. Floura had as well. The land and natural world she'd provided them with was beginning to disappear. At first, the trees were able to withstand the use, to continue reproducing and replacing the lost ones. Other plants were able to do the same as well as the wildlife. But as the humans reproduced, their numbers grew and so did their wants.

They were no longer satisfied with all that had. They wanted more. They wanted more homes, more space, more food, more everything. Kreo may not have noticed, but Fana did. Floura was going to die if things continued as they were.

Where the humans resided, the grass was dead. Shelters dominated most of the land, but where there was space, the humans carved well-trodden paths. The soil then grew loose, unable to home seeds for an ample amount of time. The civilization was scarce of animals, unless they were contained in too small, fenced in areas. Those animals went without socialization and adequate roaming space, only to be used for what they provided. What were they given in return? Malnourishment, neglect, and an early death. Fana felt their desperation, their desire to leave, and find freedom.

Now, she finally understood why the wildlife avoided humans: they were destructive. They were consuming everything they touched only to leave behind damage. When the land became unusable, they left it behind for greener planes only to repeat the process. Fana watched, hoping they would learn. But what she saw was their short-sightedness and inability to focus on the needs of those surrounding them.

Fana finally returned to where the humans resided, after several weeks. This time, she brought nothing with her, except a large feline that glided beside her with watchful eyes. It still surprised her, how little wildlife there was abruptly, even the towering trees diminished to nothing. She could say nothing because she was just as responsible for the creation of this civilization. But she could change things.

The humans looked towards her, pausing in their activities, with a wariness glazing over their eyes. She knew they feared her. They did little to hide their emotions, wearing them in a multitude of ways. However, she was not interested in befriending them like her brother. Not when this was the result of their needs and wants. So, she held her head high and continued forward, towards her brother's shelter.

Kreo told her that he would always be in the center of the village, as this gave him ease of access to any direction in case of an emergency. It was also the only one with a flag, stained by fruit and hanging high in the air, so that his followers were able to locate it with quickness. He was their center both physically and mentally.

Her brother wasn't there, but instead a little girl stood by nearby, her eyes fixated on Arctic before sweeping over Fana and halting. They widened and the little girl looked down, continuing with what she was doing.

Fana walked closer, kneeling in front of the girl. She knew the girl was scared, as they all were. "Can you tell me where Kreo is?" She asked, making sure to lower her voice so it wasn't so harsh. The girl timidly looked at her, as if she was waiting for something else to happen. Something bad.

"He's out helping the others hunt for food." The girl whispered. Fana clicked her tongue in frustration, looking up to the sky. He wasn't just enabling his followers. He was one of them.

"Thank you for your help." Fana forced a smile as she stood and turned to Arctic. "Find him." She didn't need to say more. Arctic rubbed against her once before running off, to find her brother.

Fana felt his rage, boiling over and seeking her out, before she saw him. Arctic was the first to show, her brother not too far behind.

He looked different from their last visit. His hair was cut, once as long as her own. Even his cloths appeared different, looking as if they were crafted using an unnecessary amount of material. And the face scrunched in anger was certainly new to her. She was used to his frustration, but anger was another realm.

Kreo didn't bother with pausing, but stormed into his house, knowing Fana would follow. And she did, because she cared more for fixing their situation than his anger.

His house was simple compared to those of his followers, whose were covered with needless decorative items. Kreo's held little to nothing. Fana was surprised. Maybe his followers hadn't taken him from Floura. Yet.

"What do you want, Fana?" His words were blunt, without emotion. Pain seeped into her heart as she looked at him. At one time, they were inseparable. They were not two, but one person. What happened in between then?

"I want to discuss what is happening. Your followers cannot keep taking from Floura." She kept her own words level, masking the hurt. She wouldn't let him know anything aside from what was needed. She would match his bluntness with her own. They were no longer close.

Kreo pinched the bridge of his nose, looking out a window with his back turned towards Fana. "You cost us a hunt to discuss this? Floura will continue to gr-" he started but Fana was quick to intervene.

"No, she will not. Your followers are going to kill her! And then what? What will they do when there is none of her left, hmm? This is a compromise, brother. Both Floura and your followers will benefit if they slow down their use." Her voice raised in volume, desperation unveiling itself.

"We can talk to Floura." Kreo tried, frustration and anger coloring his face. It was enough having to deal with the human's endless problems. Now, Fana was creating another.

Fana narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "I've tried and am sure you have as well. We've both received silence. She is gone, Kreo. She cannot give you more land. You know this."

The tension between the two swirled at their feet, like a predator, waiting for its' chance to snap. "I cannot stop using her resources. They'll die out." Kreo replied, some of the anger dissipating. He was finally looking beyond his emotions and at logic.

"No, they will not. You don't need to stop, just to slow them down. They will be sad and upset, yes, but they will not die. If you believe that they can coexist, then you will try. If you do not and think your followers can do nothing but destroy everything in their path, then you will let this continue. Please, do the right thing."

Kreo finally turned, looking into his sister's eyes. It had been some time since the two of them shared words for longer than a few minutes. This was a different side, a side he wasn't used to. Her hair was wilder, more unruly and longer than he remembered. The scars that covered her body were painted over by dirt and grass stained her deerskin cloths. She was outspoken, angered, and unwilling to back down. Were things outside really that terrible?

"I will see what I can do..." he tried, but Fana shook her head, pursing her lips.

"That is not enough Kreo. You have the ability to do more than try. You are who they follow and learn from. So, teach them what is right. Do not let them rid us all of the world that gave us life." She too now spoke in a gentler tone. She missed her brother and wanted everything to be better, not to fight.

He was quiet for a moment, searching Fana's eyes. He believed that things were as bad as she said, he had to. Would he be able to convince everyone else? They rarely ventured into the woods, fearing it. Would he be able to teach them its values when they knew nothing of it? "I will take care of this, Fana. I will show them how dire the situation is and ask for their cooperation."

Fana wasn't happy with his phrasing, with him asking for their cooperation, but she would take it. This was a compromise and they both had work to do.