Chrysalis

[Crinis, could you come over here please?]

[Of course Master] the tennis ball of endless darkness responded immediately.

I get the feeling that she's able to sense where I am since she manages to roll towards me despite having no sense of sight. Once she reaches a space just in front of me she unfolds a few tentacles and 'stands' up, holding her body up on a few slender tendril like limbs.

[How are things going Crinis?] I decide to lead with a general question.

[Well, Master!] she replies happily, [since maturing I've been able to gain levels and Biomass at an accelerated pace. It feels good to be useful to you Master]

[Yep, you've been a great help]

The little ball wiggles happily in front of me for being praised. Despite her image she really is quite weak to positive reinforcement….

[How have you found spending your skill points and Biomass Crinis? Has there been any issues? Do you need any help or advice?]

She pauses for a moment. [I've been a little hesitant to spend my points Master since I couldn't be sure my choices were exactly what you wanted. I didn't want to make any mistakes…]

What?!

[It's your skills and your Biomass Crinis, you spend it however you want!]

Just because they are pets I don't want to micromanage every aspect of their lives! I'm probably a bit naive about it but I like the idea of my pets making their own choices and finding their own way in life.

Is it because I'm lazy and can't be bothered going through all the menus and burning up my brains working out a balanced strategy where every member of our group functions as a cohesive part of a whole?

…

Maybe.

Still… viva la freedom! Viva la pet choice!

They can work it all out on their own! I don't need to get involved!

[So tell me Crinis ] I say cheerily, [how many points have you spent? What sort of skills are we looking at?]

[.... ]

What is this? … Somehow, even though she doesn't have a face, I can tell she's looking away from me.

[What's wrong? Have you got a few points stored up? I'm happy to give advice if that's what you want…. ]

[....]

to dawn on

… How many points have you

[.. All of them]

OF THEM?! You haven't spent a single

Master! I didn't

fine if you just spend them however you want! Do what you think will

a choice that doesn't work out!? Or doesn't work with what you wanted

…..

and thoughtful. She's become paralysed by wanting

me to show my understanding side and educate her, just as I educated

….

WHAP!

one in a wide loop and whack straight into

m m Master?!]

THWAP!

All of them!

[But!]

THWA PAAAA!

from the right, timing it so that one strikes a moment before the other, cannoning the little ball into the second blow which sends her flying to the corner of the

I'll be checking back on you in an

I relent and go through the process with her this time she'll come to rely on me even more. I

This is tough love!

Crinis! This is for your future growth and not because I

….

release my pets one day. The idea that they are essentially indentured servants, magically unable to refuse my orders kind of sits uncomfortably with my modern sensibilities. Much as the colony has come to be my family, Tiny and Crinis are also part of that family. I would rather that we teamed up and worked together

just too

up buddy, come

giant ape wearily open his eyes and groans before rolling over and gradually picking

…..

really that much of a bother to move five metres

is an impressive sight. His huge, bunched shoulders and massively thick arms are intimidating enough, but his huge fists, well

I lead

[…..]

Any minute now.

[Good]

There it is.

those skills going? Spending your Biomass

[…. ?]