Chrysalis

Eager to begin my tickling spree, I rush into the chambers only to pull up when I notice someone rather unexpected in the room. Reacting quickly, I spin together a mind construct, marvelling at how powerful my mind feels handling the mana.

[Hey there, Sarah! How's things?]

The giant bear sits in the centre of the chamber, grubs and brood tenders swarming around her as she reaches out to roll the larvae around with her big paws.

[Oh, hey Anthony,] she says, turning toward me, [you look different. Did you evolve?]

Although the polite tone is still there, she has a certain listless quality to her tone, a sort of lifelessness that wasn't there before. I'd heard all about the battle that had been fought here in the brood chambers, how Sarah had fought to the brink of death fending off the golgari, and how she had turned on the Queen in her blind rage. I wish I'd gotten a chance to speak to her before the evolution, but there was never enough time, the pressure to reach the next tier was high and I felt like it needed to be done as fast as possible. Right now though, I'm not about to let this chance slip past.

[Sure did! You've certainly made yourself at home,] I say, indicating the gleeful grubs wiggling about around her furry form, [the brood tenders were happy to let you in here?]

The massive bear manages to almost look shy. Almost, she fails in the end. She just looks too scary.

[It was… the Queen's idea. She thought it would be relaxing, and it is.]

She reaches out and scritches one grub with the tip of a claw and the little thing shivers with delight.

[Of course it is,] I'm indignant, [brood tickling is the greatest pastime there is!]

And I may as well get to it. Nobody said I couldn't tickle and talk at the same time. I bustle into the chamber which is quite crowded all of a sudden, now housing two tier six creatures alongside the usual inhabitants, but it felt cosy rather than crowded, and I happily settled down, my antennae already extended outward to start rolling the grubs around.

[I never got the chance to thank you properly,] I say, tormenting my first victim with an initial salvo of tickles, [you went way above what any of us could have asked of you and you didn't have to. Without you, thousands more members of my family would have died, thank you.]

The great bear shifts uncomfortably.

[I'm not even sure if I was fighting to save your family or just because I wanted revenge on the golgari. Or… perhaps I just… just wanted to fight. The rage is addictive… it wasn't easy to turn my back on it the first time. I thought I'd be free of it once I escaped the cult and their plans, but I threw myself into it the moment I had the chance.]

me, her paws coming to rest on the

helped us, and we're all grateful for that help. In the process, you managed to give the golgari a whack on the nose,

goes to speak but I cut her off

you lost

Sarah has become seems to fold up on herself at my words. I can practically smell

nothing happened in the end. Nothing. Happened. You fought off the enemy and the Queen was able to calm you down. There isn't a single ant in the Colony who holds it against you, not after what you did and what mother said. Like

is that really true?] she asks, her mind full of doubt. [I'm not an ant. And when I think

This life as well as the previous. It wasn't my place to try and talk to her about her past, but there was something that I could

around you,] I invite

raises her huge snout

do you think

a brood chamber?] She

their life in order to preserve the future generations. If you weren't family, do you really think that we would let you in here? Would

if to prove my point, one of the many caretakers in the room gives me an irritated

give me that grub," she

"Ah, sure."

for the next victim! Gweheheheh! Sourcing another grub, I roll it about with my antennae as the little thing wriggles with joy. So cute! So soothing! It takes me a little while to realise that Sarah still hasn't said anything. I look over to see her sitting morosely, a pensive

this Colony, you can make your own decisions, you're free. If you want help, for anything, just ask and me or someone else will come and do what needs to be done. You've earned that

silently and I return to my tickles for a time

Jim?] she

gut at the mention

we find him, he'll be food,] I say, my mind tight

see that she's troubled, wrestling with thoughts inside her head, until

she said, [not after

from. But brood died because of him. There's