Their soft laugh reverberated around John’s skull. “You have no idea little one, no idea.” They paused again before continuing. “The hallmarks of a successful human colony are innovation, expansion, and population growth. My colony however, is stagnant. It’s been over a millennia and the only growth that has been happening at all has been from me. I am the only one adding to the population, and it’s not for lack of mated pairs, that I can assure you. A happy healthy human collective should, eventually,,, make,,, more. And of course I would never accuse my dearest Jean of intentional falsehoods!” They paused again, gathering their thoughts. “He says that they are content, that all their needs and desires are being met, but if that is true why are they stagnating? I’ve seen humans persist in the most unforgiving environments, so why not one that has been so perfectly optimized for them? It must be something I am missing, some hidden element or environmental factor I’ve overlooked.” As they spoke their voice softened, shifted from the cold condescension to a warm and almost loving lament. “It’s not enough that my humans persist, I wish for them to flourish. I want them to prosper and be well, but I am not allowed near the village. You however are, you can see things from their perspective, talk to the mass directly. You will find this missing element, this source of discontent, and when you do, I will restore you and your Arthur precisely where I found you, exactly as I found you.”
John pondered the proposition before laughing a heavy warm laugh, "this doesn't surprise me that you can't see what humans need, gods never could. I know I couldn't."
He wrung his hands together before answering, "I will agree to these terms, however, if I find your element that you're missing, you have to agree to let the ones who wish to leave, leave."
