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.

Queen stops threatening 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 aphid

you have any

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

you can figure it

depends,

“Depends on what?”

I ask this question without getting

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mandibles disapprovingly, as if offended I would dare suggest such

“Of course, child.”

do you mean, ‘of course’?! Do you not recall what happened here a moment ago?! Never

able to take you where you are expected. Are you here for a tour, or a short

“Permanently,” she replies.

That’s… interesting. I’m guessing you made this

make a statement, and not a question.

I not able to make decisions for myself, child?” she asks,

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

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 down

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

this nest wasn’t built with space for Queens. There’s going to be brood chambers and

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 gate. It went on for

buy time to convince her to stay somewhere safer. No wonder she’s

but the same goes for us, the children! Is

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