#they sprawl out. they sit. they lounge. they groom their own stems. they sing and chatter and vibe

[oops-prow-did-it-again]

Pikminology #2: Social Structures

Something I fear I may not have discussed as much as I should have thus far in my notes is just how social pikmin are!

Granted, I was a bit distracted with my emergency situation, despite my intrigue with them, but… only recently has it occurred to me how intelligent these creatures are, in their own bizarre, unique ways. I was just relaxing for a moment, before the sun began to set, and I noticed that some of the newly-grown yellow pikmin were eyeing the older reds. Normally, I’d think nothing of this, but today, I decided to pay attention.

I noticed that the yellows taking interest were the really young ones—freshly sprouted from earlier this day. They chattered at the reds, plucked at their noses, and all the while, the reds let them! They even sang a little and sat down, as if to relax for a massage. After the yellows were satisfied examining their red friends, they sat down, too, and began to examine one another’s stems. The reds groomed the yellow’s leaves, plucking away any browning edges or mites, while the yellows seemed to be watching and learning! Then, the yellows awkwardly returned the favor. Soon, everyone was chattering and ‘singing.’ It made me aware that pikmin sing in such a variety of noises and notes… I wonder if there’s meaning behind it, or if they simply sing whatever feels best for the moment?

I’m no biology expert, of course, but… I think these little creatures have much more going on inside their heads than I gave them credit for initially. I suppose in some ways, that makes me feel better, too; I have no doubt now that if they didn’t want to be helping me, they wouldn’t be. It puts into perspective some of the other behaviors they’ve shown me, too, like grabbing at parts of my suit randomly. I thought at first they were playing a dangerous game of fascination with the zippers and baubles on the outside of my suit, but now, I think they were trying to groom me like they do one another’s stems! I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I prefer the inside of my suit.

I wonder, though, do they think I am some kind of bizarre, large pikmin? Or am I not the first creature like myself they’ve met?

...Questions for later. It is getting dark. As cozy as the pikmin do look cramming inside of their onion, I do sometimes have the guilty wish that they could come with me instead.

It gets lonely hovering in low orbit at night. Not to mention, harrowing, doing so in a ship in such disrepair...