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.

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

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

to look at me, her

you can figure it out

depends,

“Depends on what?”

getting my head bashed

is on Amazon

clacks her mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I

“Of course, child.”

Do you not recall

then I’ll have a much better time being able to take you where you are expected. Are you here for a

“Permanently,” she replies.

I’m guessing you

a question. Mother’s antenna twitches once again as she

decisions for

you can! Who could argue otherwise? It would be ridiculous to

a complex web around The Queen, ensuring she stays happy

now, mother? Or would you prefer to go to

be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully furnished with a pot of hot tea kept on the table,

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

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

sigh. It’s 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 know