"Ah, all right," said Rah.  "Most people don't describe those bugs as people, though.  Or are there sapient species that small?"

"The Fury does not knowing.  After learning about your peoples, the Fury is curious," the Fury said.

"Ah," said Rah.  It was an interesting question.

"Well, I've never heard of people like that," she said.  "I guess they could exist?  But, I mean, it's just us and the Xophan at this size, and Chiren got this small after the Mad Science Wars.  Even smaller people would really be super-rare.'

You feel that 987-2 considers it a possibility.

"She hasn't mentioned any," m-Taa said, "and I'm sure she would if she'd found some; she likes to tease me about how insects are more interesting than plants."

"Are they?" the Fury asked.

"I guess that depends on what you find interesting," said Rah.  "Scientist probably have different views, too."

"Ah. the Fury is not the scientist so the Fury does not knowing," the Fury said.

"That's fair," said Rah.  "Now, me, I mostly find insects more interesting, but certain plants can change that.  It just depends."

You understand that 987-2 has a hard time speaking with them.

"With plants?" said Rah.  "Well, that makes sense, I guess.  Most plants don't have brains or do a lot of thinking.  With certain exceptions..."

You understand that 987-2 agrees.

"What about you, m-Taa?" asked Rah.  "Do you pick up anything from insects?  Or plants?"

"Only sapient or near-sapient ones," m-Taa said. "Normal insects have instincts, not feelings.  There are theories that plants have a level of connection, but so far the only signals we've found are chemical, not psychic.  Which is fine with me; I don't want to feel distress when I take samples."

"Ah. Makes sense for the scuries," the Fury said.

"And there's probably an exception out there somewhere," said Rah.  "One of the Gargantua is a plant.  It would be pretty big even by your standards."

You feel that 987-2 finds sapient plants hard to read as well.

"Sometime, I'd say you should check out the Rose Goddess," said Rah, "but I've got a feeling that it's mostly 'ANGRY!  DESTROY!' if you come down to it."

"I am curious," m-Taa said, "but clearly caution is called for."

"Well, the Rose Goddess is about twice my height, fills up a radius of about five times my height, and is made of thorns, vines, hostility and raw power," said Rah.  "So not really much for conversation."

"Sounds like good enemy," the Fury said.

"Oh, she is," said Rah.  "Kind of rough on civilian populations sometimes, but not as bad as some of the others-- she's not exactly fast-moving."

The Furry nodded.

"Many heroic things to do."

"Not so many these days," said Rah.  "The Gargantuas are safely contained for now.  Giant science at work."

"So you can deal with the bigs?" the Fury asked.