Chrysalis

What the heck has been going on Tiny? I mean seriously man… You haven't upgraded anything? Haven't spent your skill points at all? The only skill that look like you didn't already have it is 'fancy feet' and what the heck does that do? Have you been dancing behind my back, have you? Little bit of tap here and there?

...

Sigh.

I use my antennae to rub at my temples in an effort to ward off the impending migraine I feel coming on.

I really thought that the pets would be able to handle this stuff without me interfering. Even if Tiny couldn't I was sure that Crinis would be fine. After all the effort I put into enhancing her intelligence …. Still nothing.

Nothing!

With Tiny.. I'd mentally prepared myself for a lot. Nonsensical upgrades that made no sense, no synergy or evidence of even a mild amount of thinking. I'd prepared myself for that. To find that he hasn't done anything at all somehow hurts my head worse than those other options.

I don't think he hasn't done it because he doesn't understand the idea of spending Biomass or skill points. His mind is slow, that's for sure, but I doubt that he can't understand how to upgrade himself. Centipedes and Dragon Wolf Cubs can spend Biomass, I know they can, I've seen them with upgraded body parts. There is no way they can do it but Tiny can't.

No no. The reason he hasn't done it is because he can't be bothered. It's too much hassle.

This lazy ape!

[Tiny, lean down here for a moment, would you?]

Puzzled, the giant ape leans down, bringing his bat face a little closer to mine.

…

THWAP!

I whip my antennae around and smack them into his head on both sides!

[Go spend all your points! Right now!]

[ ….. Why?] he sounds dissatisfied as he rubs at his bruised cheeks.

….. Stubborn gorilla!

but it would be better if I could give him motivation that would make him try harder to spend

….

you spend all your points properly, you'll be

...

interest lights up in

forward eagerly towards me, hoping

too. Maybe enough to fight that scary thing in the

for a moment as he thinks hard before rushing to his feet and pounding his

[OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!]

It's a good idea to spend all of your points!

roars in his mind as he turns

….

BACK HERE YOU APE! Spend your points, don't go fighting!] I cry as I chase

little while but I manage to calm Tiny down a little and reinforce the idea that spending points good, leaving them unspent bad. I get him settled in one corner where he sits with a glazed expression on his face as he trawls through the various menus. I don't envy him, he has to go through upgrade menu's

still vaguely wobbling in the corner as she also grabbles with the problem of upgrading herself. She won't have nearly as many skill points or Biomass as Tiny to chew through but the fact that she is yet to spend a single thing makes a little worried. Even with my orders hanging over

for me to spend

spend and another fourteen skill points. The Biomass will go quickly but the skill points I'll need to spend a little more time on. I've got enough that I can branch

Alright then!

Biomass first!

+5 which will leave me with seven points to spend. I think I'll spend the extra six on my acid gland. The fact that I can spin magic now shouldn't take away from the ease of use and deadly restrictive properties of my business zone. I'm also pretty

Carapace Plating to +5 and Restrictive Acid to +6? This will

[Yup!]

are able to choose

menu hits me right between the eyes again with a plethora of options. I start picking my way through, searching for something that makes sense for me and what I want from my inner plating. What exactly do I want

…..

I see it there are two options for improve defence, tougher shell or faster healing. Generally speaking I like having a mix of both. The tougher the shell is, the more valuable the healing

is basically a reinforcing layer underneath the carapace, supporting it and making it more difficult to break through. I don't mind if the plating serves as a double role. Reinforcing the

see if I can

…

Bingo!

plating, helps to regenerate damage done to the carapace in addition to improving its defensive

Nice!