Chrysalis

Given the nature of the ants as a social insect, one with a particular obsession toward the care and rearing of their young, it may be understandable, even expected, that they would focus so intently on education. However, the depth and complexity of their methods is astounding, no matter how one thinks about it.

Even among monsters, not all are born with the same interests and passions, and this is especially true for those above a certain threshold of intelligence. The Colony were quick to realise this fact and naturally sought to implement measures that would not only accommodate, but maximise the potential of this difference.

Thus was born the concept of ‘differentiation’. Certain ants excel at one task, whereas others are lacking in this area. The Colony quickly identifies these gaps and moves to specialise their curriculum from the earliest moment possible.

Using this method, the ants are able to find the most suited path for an individual and guide them along it within days of that hatchling emerging from its cocoon.

- Excerpt from ‘Antucation: Teaching and Learning, Pedagogy among the ant’ by Karliet Magron.

“Congratulations, hatchlings!” Poppant praised them, her antennae wiggling with joy.

The twenty young members of the Colony preened under her attention, basking in the approval of the Tender who had cared for them since they were eggs.

“That was quite an achievement, I am extremely impressed with all of you. A new Antcademy record for a third day clear! Of course, there are things we can improve on and each of you will need to write a four page report on what you can do better next time when we get back.”

The hatchlings cheered.

“Now off we go!”

With that cheerful declaration, Poppant began to march back to the Colony, her pheromones wafting happily behind her as the twenty tired, but excited ants marched in their wake.

Well, nineteen of them were tired but excited.

One of them was frustrated and disappointed.

had been late and the firing discipline had been sloppy. It may have been a record setting pace for the third day of training, but Solant

that knowledge burned in her like acid in the

The statue had been updated recently to ensure it depicted the oldest and greatest member of

cringed away from

as they did, at least, that’s what the Tenders had told her. She knew that so far, her broodmates had utterly failed

moments of the fighting, and inspected each of their written essays (Solant produced twenty pages of

her siblings could settle in for

aren’t performing well enough,” she

her in the centre of the chamber, antennae wiggling

we just get a record? I thought

hard,” another

proud of

those words away with a swipe of

we did wrong?! Didn’t Poppant just demonstrate a long

her mandibles

been the one making the most calls, and many

true… my aim has been extremely poor…” one

timing when

legs when

“I noticed.”

“Dammit.”

Even if we turn around and set another

we… skip… sleep…