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.

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

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

back to look at me, her pet falling

you can

depends,

“Depends on what?”

getting my head bashed in

usage: this tale is on Amazon without

mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I would dare

“Of course, child.”

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

you are here in the fourth, then I’ll have a much better time being able 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 you made

ensure that I make a statement, and not a question.

make decisions for myself, child?”

ridiculous to suggest that anyone other than yourself would decide where you

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

now, mother?

brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully

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

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 doing what she wants without actually talking to

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

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