[Third - Person]
We are back in our all to familiar cave. The Protoss is currently kneeling on one knee in front of the Squirrel. Its face was scrunched into a conflicted as well as confused expression.
"Will you be my friend?"
This simple question threw the Protoss into a rather conflicted position. It did not understand what it is supposed to do. It did know what a friend is. Somebody who is very close to itself. Someone you would unconditionally trust, someone you can expect to be there in troubled times but also someone who would expect help from you, should he face a similar situation.
As apparent from its face, the Protoss was unsure of what the benefit of a friend is. Sure he or she would help you should it be in trouble but it would have to help his or her friend as well. What if the timing was bad? Will it have to drop whatever it is doing?
"Is being a friend that much of a problem?" Asked the Squirrel, as it could see the trouble on its face.
"I just don't fully understand the concept. I know the benefits and deficits, so...what makes you want to be a friend?"
"...Interest, I guess. I like the aura you project. I feel comfortable around you and I don't think you would harm me so I think being a friend is being interested in the other person and wanting to spend time together."
"Is it that simple? What about the commitments?"
"They come naturally, don't they? I mean if you like someone you will automatically want to help them once they are in trouble."
"..."
"I presume you don't like me then?" asked the squirrel, while its face slowly became sorrowful.
During its short time together with the Protoss it was more and more intrigued by the strange creature. It had soft skin that was comfortable to lie on. It was the first being it could really and truly talk to without the other party being aggressive. Which has to be owed to the normally rather low intelligence of normal beasts.
"It is not like I have anything against you it is just that I don't understand the need for friends."
answered the Protoss. And it truly did not understand. The race of the Protoss has, since ages, been a solitary race. Feared by those who do not understand them, chased by those who greed over their bodies. At all too rare occasions did they meet one of their own, only to part for their own specific goals.
"I know of the term friends. And I think I would not have a problem with being your friend but I simply don't understand it. Aside from being a friend I only know of allies. People who temporary or for a long time act towards the same goal. Where is the difference? It is not like being friends is an endless concept." The Protoss was confused about the need for friends isn't it easier to be allies. All commitments are cleared and there are no unnecessary conflictions.
After a short contemplation, the squirrel seems to have come to a conclusion.
"How about a soul pact? I know that you don't understand the concept of being friends so let's start as allies. We are already on the same foot. You and I both wanted information. We both got the information we need and both want to leave the cave am I right? I want to follow you. I believe that I can become stronger next to you as well as see more than I can see by myself."
"Soul pact..."
Silence took control over the cave, no sound emitted from both creatures. No wind interrupted their thoughts. Slowly but surely the silence became oppressive. The squirrel began to fidget. It did not know why it was so strongly attracted to the other being. The warm aura just called for it. It already experienced the benefits and it certainly wanted more but it didn't really know why it was...yes. Careless. It long ago abandoned those instincts. Sometimes they were helpful but after it became smarter it noticed that instincts, or at least most of them, were more of a restriction. If it had let instincts take control it would certainly have not become the squirrel it is today.
"A soul pact seems interesting. Having you as an ally is not a bad choice. Nobody would expect you to be a spy, much less kill someone."
The Protoss seemed to be quite happy with its analysis. Totally oblivious to the slightly hurt expression of the squirrel but this expression swiftly faded and was replaced by a happy expression.
One step at a time was what the squirrel thought. At some point, the Protoss would understand what a "friend" is.
(Until then I have more than enough time I can spend with her.)