Chrysalis

A big day! An exciting day! The warehouse complex the Colony has been housed in is absolutely buzzing with activity. My siblings are working like industrious… ants, I suppose. As to be expected. Everything is being unpacked and readied, subjected to last minute inspections and quality controls. It doesn’t take long for the head of the column to be prepared, and finally I am free to emerge from my warehouse and take my place.

It’s not that I need to be at the front for my own sake, but for whatever reason, that’s where they insist I go. Me and my guards, of course, because they haven’t so much as taken a toilet break in two days.

Remarkable stamina. Where are they keeping it? I won’t ask.

[Enid! Coming along to see the big event?] I ask, spotting the old woman riding in a litter carried between two ants.

She looks absolutely disgusted to be receiving such treatment, but there’s no way they were going to let her walk. It’s almost hilarious to see just how much she resents being doted on in this way. Yessssss, suffer through the indulgence, old woman! We will ensure you enjoy a long and comfortable retirement, no matter the cost!

Gweheheheh.

And with that, the procession is on its way, with more and more ants falling in behind.

The roads in the Silver City are wide and spacious, easily enough room for us to march toward our destination. At various points, guards are stationed to help guide the flow of traffic around us, emphasising just what a well-run and organised place this really is. It’s my second time walking through the city, and once again, I’m struck by the beauty of the place. Every building is coated in that lustrous, almost ethereal silver metal, but there is a surprising amount of green everywhere. Almost every building, whether it's a shop front or a residence, has some form of hanging garden, or row of blooming pots, groaning with flowers and greenery.

Along the side of the streets, there are tall trees rising, offering shade and a sweet scent that fills the air. Whoever they hired to design this place really earned their pay is all I’m trying to say. I mean, dang. Place is nice.

I lay a thousand lenses upon the building we’re hosting our trade event in and my impression only goes up. Clearly an event space of some kind, it’s a massive dome which is completely open beneath, held up by gorgeous, gorgeous pillars. Each one of the gleaming metal pillars is sculpted as a different person, and I’m sure every one of them is some important figure to the Atreum empire. Stunningly lifelike, I can only hope that Michaelangelant is made to see these. Then that damn ant can see some real art and suffer

taken; should you find it on Amazon,

appreciate that they aren’t all the same person! Variety is the spice of

replete with ponds and a trickling stream that runs all the way around. Bridges and steps lead up the floor of the Dome, which we ascend, and then take in the view of the

to have to beautify our nests, seriously. I refuse to lose to these humans this badly, dammit. I’m going to institute a beautification committee the second we

I think there’s a platform in the middle that the Eran wants you to stand

want me posed on a platform looking

or admiration, but she definitely said something about a platform. Ah, yes, I can

way. Yes, now that we get closer, I can see it as well. It’s not super tall or

it,] Enid snipes as she’s

do around here? Help set up the stalls? Look at the size of my

flex them for

stand around and look impressive. I can handle that. Now you, on the other hand, you

anyway,] she sniffs, [I’m here