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.

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 aphid farms on the fourth, but then again, there

see Aphy made it alright. Uh. Do you have any idea where I’m supposed to take you? I

to look at me,

Surely you can figure it out for

depends, to

“Depends on what?”

question without getting my

on Amazon without the author's

if offended I

“Of course, child.”

course’?! Do you not

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

“Permanently,” she replies.

guessing you

very carefully ensure that I make a statement, and not a question. Mother’s antenna twitches once again as she sniffs something offensive in

not able to make decisions for myself,

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

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

hunt now, mother? Or would you prefer

going to be brood chambers and Queens’ quarters, fully

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

to delay and buy time to convince her to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s so grumpy. She’s

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

get you settled into your chambers. I’m pretty