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.

appearance of her beloved pet, The Queen stops 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

glad to see Aphy made it alright. Uh. Do you have any

me,

can figure it out for

depends, to be

“Depends on what?”

ask this question without getting my head bashed

is on Amazon without the author's

clacks her mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I would dare suggest

“Of course, child.”

you mean, ‘of course’?! Do you not recall what happened here a moment ago?! Never

to take you where you are expected. Are you here for a tour, or a short term stay? Are you moving into this

“Permanently,” she replies.

I’m guessing

question. Mother’s antenna twitches once again as

to make decisions for myself, child?” she

could argue otherwise? It would be ridiculous to suggest that anyone other than yourself would decide where you should

supposed to be a complex web around The Queen, ensuring she stays happy and satisfied so she doesn’t do things like this. She’s going to get herself killed fighting some of the monsters down

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

for Queens. There’s going to be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully furnished with

out of my way. For some reason, there was constantly some pressing emergency that needed to

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 doing

goes for us, the children! Is it so much to ask that your mother doesn’t recklessly throw herself into dangerous situations? Apparently, it

into your chambers. I’m pretty sure I