Chrysalis

Chapter 79

Now that I know I can talk to my colony members, even if they can’t talk back, I don’t hold back and start to throw words at every worker I meet on my way into the nest.

"Hey, how are yor?"

Still needs a bit of work on that one.

"Hoos that work goging for yar?"

So close!

"Blice to see you ablarn".

Nearly had it!

As I wander about cheerfully greeting the ants around me they typically respond in the same way, by turning and tapping me about the antennae before going back on their way.

I’m not really fussed by the lack of response to my blather, just talking and getting the hang of my new mutation is reward enough for me.

Checking in on the brood I can see the little grubs are looking a little larger and a little less sad than they were before, pleasingly plump and growing they’ll become new workers soon enough.

After shouting "See you flater!" to the workers I make my way down to the Queens chamber. By this time I’ve gotten used to saying whatever is on my mind to every ant I see so when I walk in front of the Queen, who is standing still and accepting a grooming for her attendant workers I give a friendly wave of the antennae and say "Hey there! How’s it hambing Queen?"

The enormous ant turns her head slowly and ponderously before looking down at me with her large, unblinking eyes.

"Hambing?" she said.

....

"Uhhhh".

.....

She can talk?

The Queen continues to look down at me quizzically as I stare dumbfounded.

"Hambing?" she asks again.

This sensation of talking and listening using scent is very different to what I’m used to. When the Queen speaks I’m finding my antennae are not only able to distinguish the words she is speaking but also the difference in tone and voice. Her voice sounds patient and warm.

not make a mistake in

uh, misspoke, your, uh,

she said, before turning away and once again becoming still as the workers

as a mutation advancement or is it something that she gets for being a Queen? Does

moment I try to strike

Queen, uh. How

apparently the best I can come up

more the Queen troubles herself to turn

Are you well?"

giddy. A

uh, I’m good! I

glad" she says, before beginning to

some advice?"

again looks back to me, patiently waiting for my words. Actually talking to a giant monster ant is a little more difficult than I expected it to be, much more difficult

isn’t human and unlike me, she never was. I’m not exactly sure how her mind works, what it is that is important to her. She’s probably not even that old, I mean, technically in this

if you, uh, had any advice on what I should

I was starting to think I might need to repeat the question when eventually her antennae reached down and tapped mine before tapping

a strong core

"Uh.... Yes?" I respond.

Choose as you wish, and

not certain what evolution

amusement in the words of the Queen as she responds

and greater strength will improve the lives of our people. To the colony,

that she decisively turns away, giving me one last pat on the head with her antennae. I think I’ve gotten all the help I’m likely to get from her majesty

around I start to make my way back to

I have to say that what the Queen had

evolution makes the monster stronger, the colony itself doesn’t give a rats ass which one you pick, as long as you use

just comes

commander or do I want to

general or

I think about it

be wizard right? Like, this is magic we are talking about... MAGIC. I could lord over the battlefield like a friggin’

a

ant is

rush back to the trap network and find everything much the same as I left it. Tiny still sleeping and the traps are prepared but without

Excellent.

more time on your doubt Anthony!

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