Chrysalis

Negotiations were always a delicate matter. There were many things to consider, after all. What was culturally and economically acceptable to both sides? What did each side want from the other? It was around these things that discussions would focus.

The first thing Eran Umizan needed to discern was what it was the Colony desired.

“Do they need food?”

Clearly, they had an interest in foodstuffs, as evidenced by the tea and scones. There was a brief consultation.

“They don’t,” Irisod told her. “Apparently, they grow all of their own food. Their own sugar, wheat, tea leaves and everything else they consume in large quantities. For satisfying their hunger, they generally use Biomass or… aphids? I’m not sure what those are.”

Interesting.

“We can negotiate a price for access to our gates?” she suggested. “Would they be interested in discussing terms for such an agreement?”

The price would be hideously expensive, of course. If you couldn’t make your own gates, then you were at the mercy of whoever was in a position to offer you access to one.

An ant entered with another tray covered in delectable-looking slices of layered cake, each topped with a twirl of pink cream. Eran’s brow went up as the tray was carefully placed before her, and another was distributed amongst her retinue.

Again, no poison.

“I thought they were short on supplies?” she asked her Court Mage, quietly.

“Apparently, they just developed their own gate.”

“What? When?”

“Just now.”

“As in…?”

in, during this

first thing they

bring us

at the delicate confection, each layer as clearly defined as if cut by a razor. On closer inspection, she could see glistening fruits embedded

It was delicious.

then turned and glared at her daughter.

had seized upon her dessert and begun stuffing her face with it in a most un-decorous manner. The girl flushed

she now knew they preferred to be called, were an interesting case. They didn’t want

finest gems the fourth stratum has to offer, cut by

to have developed an entire culinary culture around serving their

more clear, they don’t think the Queens will like them, but

“Very well.”

something. She would ensure a selection of the highest quality pieces were brought to the

are any of you talking to the large one?”

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

Would they want arms and armour? None of the ants she saw around her were wearing

was some level of industry in the

highest quality. Particularly, for metals and

level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they barely moved at all. Only the antennae shifted and twitched, but she couldn’t begin to interpret such movements. Her negotiating partners were a blank wall. Another thing

“They… hmmm.”

softly, no hint of her

troubled, perhaps even a little

can give rise to offence where none is intended.

purchase a sampling of our wares, but only so they could study them. The

be questioned, since they were the only sapient race to live in it. They absolutely did have a far higher affinity for water mana than any other race,

confidence in their own craftswork? It took decades to develop those Skills to an acceptable level, longer without training and guidance. The Colony was young,

she was approaching this

of things would they be prepared to