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.

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 The Queen went, her pet was

Do you have any idea where I’m supposed to take you?

Queen turns back to look at me, her pet falling

child. Surely you can figure

depends,

“Depends on what?”

I ask this question without getting my head

Amazon

offended I would dare

“Of course, child.”

Do you not recall

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

“Permanently,” she replies.

I’m guessing you

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

make decisions for myself,

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

she stays happy and satisfied

a hunt now, mother?

nest wasn’t built with space for Queens. There’s going to be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters,

was difficult to get the children to get out of my way. For some reason, there was constantly some pressing

She totally 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

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

go and get you settled into your