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.

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 the fourth, but then again, there may not be. Wherever

you have any idea where I’m supposed to take you? I wasn’t

look at me, her pet falling in by her

you can figure it

depends,

“Depends on what?”

ask this question without getting my head bashed in with an

Amazon without the author's consent. Report any

offended I would dare suggest such

“Of course, child.”

you mean, ‘of course’?! Do you not recall what happened

much better time being able to take you where you are

“Permanently,” she replies.

That’s… interesting. I’m guessing

I make a statement, and not a question. Mother’s antenna twitches once again as

able to make decisions for myself,

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

happy and satisfied so she doesn’t do things like this. She’s going to get herself killed fighting some

a hunt now, mother? Or

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 of hot tea kept on the table, just in

out of my way. For some

to convince her to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s so

not like I don’t understand her frustration, but the same goes for us, the children! Is it so much to

get you settled into your chambers. I’m pretty sure I