"You're completely right. I really should... live in the moment and stay grounded."

  Shifting his gaze away from Min, Xi P carefully surveys the rainforest. Though the term "rainforest" typically refers to tropical rainforests, it essentially just describes any woodland with extremely high rainfall. According to the guide/pilot, this might be the coldest and least dangerous temperate rainforest in the world. He can't say how hot tropical rainforests on Earth can get, but he definitely wouldn't be able to handle it.

  The temperature here is pleasant enough, though the humidity is a little high. His fur feels damp, which he finds slightly uncomfortable.

  The bird calls echoing from all directions sound fresh and new, not a single one he's heard before. And that is exactly how it should be. Occasionally, moving objects catch his eye in the trees. Judging by how close they come, they seem remarkably unafraid of people — or perhaps they are just curious about his appearance...

  "Xi P, look at this!" Min's voice calls from beside him. Xi P turns his head to see Min pointing at a spot where there is a... bird?

  The spot where the bird perches isn't obscured by leaves, and the sunlight reflecting off the ground is a bit harsh, making Xi P squint involuntarily. This bird is fairly large by Lierus' standards. It's mostly green with some brown markings, and looks incredibly plump!

  "That's a parrot. One of the top predators in this rainforest, besides us two." Min elaborates.

  "Despite being birds, these creatures possess astonishing combat prowess. There's ample evidence that in extreme situations, they can take down…" Min trails off abruptly, fixing Xi P with a meaningful gaze. "Are you sure you want to hear more?"

  Xi P nods, his eyes fixed on the parrot.

  "They can hunt foxes." Min slowly finishes.

  Ignoring Xi P's reaction like he'd swallowed something foul, Min adds: "It's happened before, not here though, there are no foxes here. Why are you staring at me like that? You don't actually see yourself as a fox, do you?"

  Xi P has no doubt that Min is saying this on purpose, and that last line is just pure sarcasm. He really dislikes Min drawing parallels between him and a fox. After a moment's thought, he recalls a phrase and says it as solemnly as possible: "Don't build your happiness on someone else's suffering."

  "Fine, fine, I'll stop." Since that's the case, it'd be better to change the subject. "Well, do you know this island has a fascinating history? Until relatively recently, there were no mammals here at all."

  Min has just started, and he sees Xi P's ears turn sideways towards him. He knows he's captured Xi P's attention.

  "So all the ecological niches — well, the positions within the ecosystem — were filled by birds. That led to an extraordinary diversity of birds here."

  "But a significant number of them are now extinct, after humans arrived on the island. Other invasive mammals took their places and seem to be thriving even better than the original bird inhabitants of those niches."

  "Which makes me wonder if something like 'mammalian supremacy' could emerge in the future. I find it an interesting coincidence that mammals are so highly evolved on both planets, and the intelligent life forms are all mammals. If people are willing to extend the definition of 'mammal' that far."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Xi P anticipates his point and chimes in: "To not discuss life forms we can't classify. So, if birds dominated a planet, there emerge a bird civilisation. How would they grasp, manipulate things? With wings?"

  "They'd just have to wing it." Min mutters under his breath, surprised that Xi P has picked up on his line of thinking.

  Jokes aside, Min can still answer seriously: "In that case, their wings would definitely evolve to manipulate objects. Though wings evolved from forelimbs in the first place, reverting back does sound odd. Plus, I wonder how they could still fly with developed brains unless gravity is extremely low."

  Xi P appears to be gathering his thoughts. Another dozen seconds of silence pass before he asks again: "Your kind evolved from monkeys, right?"

  "Apes!" Min nearly jumps at Xi P's words. He can't stand it when people confuse apes and monkeys.

  Xi P merely nods, then turns back towards the rainforest, showing no intention of saying more. What thoughts swirl in his mind remains unknown.

  Somehow, seeing Xi P stop talking, Min blurts out without thinking: "Then what about you? Did you evolve from something like foxes —"

  Before he can finish the sentence, he cuts himself off abruptly. But it's too late. Xi P is already trembling with anger…

  ***

  "We should be going. We've rested long enough." Min says once Xi P finally calms down.

  "Alright." Xi P nods, rises, and the two continue onward, "Though I'd say, you were the one resting."

  The parrot, startled by the two "huge" mammals rising and approaching it, swiftly takes flight. It seems that even a lifetime as an apex predator hasn't cured it of its fear of large creatures. This always reminds Min of an interesting principle: generally, the fear induced by size is proportional to the volume ratio between the two parties. Yet, once that ratio exceeds a certain threshold, it becomes inversely proportional. He vaguely recalls reading about this in a paper that tested various animals' reactions to coloured sculptures of creatures of different sizes; Though the results were logically sound and convincing, he could never quite view that paper with a normal mindset...

  The path ahead becomes slightly easier, though this is mostly due to Min's growing skill in navigating the jungle. Xi P seems in much better shape, with barely any marks on his clothes. This makes Min wonder if astronaut training includes mobility drills in complex environments. Shaking his head to dismiss these absurd thoughts, he glances upwards. Leaves and branches block most of the view, but from the sliver of sky visible, the light seems to have... dimmed?

  It's late afternoon; dimming light is normal. But this seems to be happening far too quickly. Min turns to Xi P and asks: "Can you climb trees?"

  Xi P gives him a surprised look before nodding: "I thought you all could."

  Clearly trained in this, Xi P swiftly climbs a tree. Without needing to be prompted by Min, he scans the sky. Not only has the brightness dimmed, but vast swathes of cloud have shifted from pristine white to grey. This unmistakably signals rain, especially given the local biome.

  With a few agile movements, he lands steadily from the tree and quickens his pace. Min follows with long strides. Neither of them says anything, but they both realise what's coming — rain!

  ***

  Once he reaches the path, Xi P reattaches his hooded cloak. Min can now see the clouds overhead, too. They appear to be somewhere between stratus and altostratus, and it's almost certain to rain. Min's stamina now dictates their pace; he is already walking as fast as he can. Xi P even suggests carrying him, but considering Xi P's height and how it would be rather unflattering in many senses, Min declines.

  Yet for the next stretch, even as they near home, the clouds merely brew, brew, and brew some more. Not a single drop falls. They only grow thicker and heavier, eventually transforming into full-fledged rain clouds. Such prolonged brewing dulls their vigilance. Unconsciously, their pace slows to a normal walking speed.

  It is only when the rain suddenly unleashes itself with thunderous force, drenching them instantly, that Xi P yells something. Min doesn't catch the words, but the tone leaves no doubt — it's a string of choice expletives. They quicken their pace again, no longer caring if anyone notices Xi P's double-jointed legs. They finally dash through the doorway, their clothes just a few seconds from being completely soaked.

  Ignoring the silver fox that immediately rushes to his side, Xi P swiftly sheds his hood and cloak. He's certain the fur on his head is soaked to the roots, and it feels truly unbearable.

  Seeing Xi P dash towards the bathroom, Min, however, doesn't immediately head to change. Instead, he freezes in place. When Xi P pulled off his hood earlier, the soaked fox head revealed beneath looked... truly lovely.

  "Stop that. Grey alien, not furry, grey alien..." He immediately banishes the thought from his mind, cursing himself under his breath.