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.

safely. On one level, I’m even more surprised to see Aphy here. I had no idea there were plans to start aphid

Uh. Do you have

Queen turns back to look at me, her pet falling in

you can figure it

depends, to

“Depends on what?”

getting my head bashed in with an

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mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I would

“Of course, child.”

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

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

“Permanently,” she replies.

That’s… interesting. I’m guessing you

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

to make decisions

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

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

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

space for Queens. There’s going to be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully furnished with a pot of

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

time to convince her to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s so grumpy. She’s been patiently enduring

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

you settled into your chambers. I’m pretty sure I know