Chrysalis

Dammit, Victor! You set me up for a thwacking! Why the heck wouldn't you tell me that The Queen was coming down here?! Despite being more evolved than her, those antennae still pack a serious wallop! How does it hurt this much?

“Hello there, Mother! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She turns to look at me directly.

“Then why are you here? Lazing about, avoiding work?”

“Whoa! No! Not at all! Why would you jump to that conclusion?”

Her antenna is poised, ready to strike, and I retreat, desperately trying to defend myself from her pointed accusation.

“I was asked to come down here and meet someone, I was just saying I didn’t expect it to be you! They didn’t tell me who was coming, so I had no way to know!”

Her antenna lowers, and I relax just a little.

“Why are you here, Mother?”

THWACK!

“Should I not be here? Are you saying I’m not strong enough?”

“No! Sheesh! I was just wondering why!”

She’s so touchy today! Did Victor know she was grumpy in advance or something? Is that why I was sent here? I’ll get her back. Mark my words, I will get her back for this. Another flash of light, and lo and behold, the aphid queen arrives. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Aphy, and she’s certainly gotten bigger than before, but, relative to me, she’s smaller, so it isn’t easy to tell.

threatening me and turns to check on the little creature, fussing and clacking over her as she ensures the aphid has arrived safely. On one level, I’m even more surprised to see Aphy here. I had no idea there were plans to start aphid farms on the fourth, but

glad to see Aphy made it alright. Uh. Do you have any idea where I’m supposed to take you? I wasn’t

at me, her pet

child. Surely you can figure it out

that depends,

“Depends on what?”

this question without getting

is on Amazon

if offended I

“Of course, child.”

‘of course’?! Do you not recall what

you are here in the fourth, then I’ll have a much better time being able to take you where you are expected. Are

“Permanently,” she replies.

That’s… interesting. I’m guessing

I make a statement, and not a question. Mother’s

I not able to make decisions for myself, child?” she

argue otherwise? It would be ridiculous to suggest that anyone other than yourself

up in the third? There’s supposed to be a complex web around The Queen, ensuring she stays happy and satisfied so she doesn’t do things

want to go for a hunt now, mother? Or would you prefer to go to your

no way this nest wasn’t built with space for Queens. There’s going to be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully furnished with a pot

a little tired after using the… gate. It was difficult to get the children to get out of my way. For some reason, there was constantly some pressing emergency that needed to use the gate. It went on for

knows. There were no emergencies, that was the family desperately scrambling to delay and buy time to convince her to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s so grumpy. She’s been patiently enduring the shenanigans of her children who’ve been attempting to prevent her from

for us, the children! Is it so much to ask that your mother doesn’t recklessly throw

go and get you settled into your chambers. I’m pretty sure I know where