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.

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

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

back to look at me, her

Surely you can figure

that depends, to

“Depends on what?”

I ask this question without getting my head bashed in with

is on Amazon without

as if offended I would

“Of course, child.”

you not recall what happened here a

take you where you are expected. Are you here for a tour, or a short term stay? Are you

“Permanently,” she replies.

I’m guessing

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

make decisions

could argue otherwise? It would be ridiculous to suggest that anyone other than yourself would

third? There’s supposed to be a complex web around The Queen, ensuring she stays happy and satisfied so she doesn’t do things like this. She’s going to get herself killed fighting some of the monsters

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

no 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 reason, there was constantly some pressing emergency that needed to use the gate. It

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

but the same goes for us, the children! Is it so much to ask

into your chambers. I’m pretty sure I