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.

little creature, fussing and clacking over her as she ensures the aphid has arrived safely. On one level, I’m even

Aphy made it alright. Uh. Do you have any

at me,

you can figure

depends,

“Depends on what?”

without getting my head bashed in

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her mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I

“Of course, child.”

you not recall what happened here a

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

“Permanently,” she replies.

interesting. I’m guessing you made this

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

make decisions for myself, child?” she asks,

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

is running things up in the third? There’s supposed to be a complex web around The Queen, ensuring she stays happy and satisfied so

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

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

get out of my way. For some reason, there was constantly some pressing emergency that needed to use the gate. It went on for

to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s so grumpy. She’s

the same goes for us, the children! Is it

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