Formicea

 

As it's over now the courtyard goes quiet again.

I start to become a little restless.
The reason is simple.
Because my guest and my ally threatened to kill each other I've got quite tense.
The problem with that is, the moment the tension leaves me it causes a certain reaction.
So it comes that I run away from Temia in a manner as if I'm in desperate need to find a bathroom.
I hurry back into my room and look frantic around me until I spot Kyska.

 

"Kyska! The nurses!" (E)

"Naturally, my princess. If I may advise so, I would suggest using the throne to make it easier for you." (K)

 

That thing is still there?!
Kyska already left to bring the nurses.
Argh, whatever!
Let's just use this damned thing.
As sad it is to admit, the positioning on that piece of horror furniture made it truly easier to press the eggs out.

While I take my seat on that thing I also find that this leaning posture is quite comfortable.
Also, it's specially formed in a way that my wings fit through the gaps.
All in all, it clearly was custom-made for a swarm princess.
If just the intended purpose wouldn't be so obvious I could arrange myself with using it.
But the indention directly below where my ovipositor is positioned just stands out too much.
So while it's comfortable, it's nothing I want to have in my room for everyone to see.
The nurses are as always ridiculously fast in their attendance.
Which is good as I couldn't stall it any longer.

 

"Plop"

 

Sigh. And I get started...

 

"Forty-two my princess! Wonderful." (K)

"Yes, yes. If you say so." (E)

"You should be more proud of yourself, my princess. Your contribution is undeniable!" (K)

 

Unfortunately, I don't feel like celebrating.

 

"And? The seating is beneficial for your sessions, isn't it?" (K)

"I still don't want to have it inside my room!" (E)

"But somewhere else wouldn't work. As this session proved you don't have enough time to change locations." (K)

"Then at least not in the middle of the room. Put it in a side chamber. And hide it behind a curtain." E)

"What is a curtain?" (K)

"A sheet of fabric. Used to decorate a room. Ask mum for more details. She might have ideas for nice patterns." (E)

"As you wish, my princess." (K)

 

After Suki brought a small snack I feel better again and decide to look for my family.
I find them in their room where mum teaches Kyska right now about the sewing and coloring of fabric.

However, she does it like this,

 

<Skrikik, kraek!/And then you leave the sheet for an extended length of time in the respective agent. It's important that the color can completely soak into the fabric.> (F)

 

Toris plays on the ground, apparently not thinking too much about this.
Meanwhile, dad looks a little... downtrodden.
When I enter I am directly the center of attention.
Especially mum and Kyska who noticed my scent.

 

"Oh please, don't bother. I just wanted to say hello." (E)

<Hello, Ery! Such a nice idea. I believe some curtains could truly make everything here look much friendlier.> (F)

"Great to hear." (E)

 

I notice that mother doesn't bother much to even try speaking human.
Which is bad, considering she needs the practice.

 

"Ehk, hey dad. Do you have a moment?" (E)

"Sure." (R)

 

He accompanies me.
Meanwhile, I maintain a distance that I hope is scent-proof.
It's a bit delicate to talk about this in my mother's presence.

 

"What is Erys? Could you get that liquid?" (R)

"Oh sorry. It doesn't seem as if it would work out." (E)

"Oh. Well, nothing to change about that." (R)

"I want to ask that. You look sad." (E)

"It's just... Your mother barely spoke a real word today. Just those creaks. She said when I asked her that it hurts in her throat to force it. While I was never much of a talker it's sad that I can't hear her anymore." (R)

"I'm sorry." (E)

"No, no. You aren't at fault. I should look for your brother. He doesn't listen too much to your mother anymore since he can't understand what she's saying." (R)

 

He leaves me alone and now I'm a bit sad, regarding our family drama which ultimately my wish for them to accompany me caused.
Getting the liquid might help, but Honiu is the only source I know about.
It's hard to imagine her giving it out for free.
Sigh.

 

"What are you all grumpy?" (T)

 

Suddenly Temia approaches me in her usual straightforward way.

 

"Hello, Lady Lorata." (E)

 

I thought she would take a break after her duel.

 

"It's just... I have a problem, at the moment." (E)

"Care to elaborate?" (T)

 

Do I want to tell her? On the other side, why not?

 

"It's not really a secret. Did you hear about my mother?" (E)

"On the sidelines. I've encountered your brother and he mentioned that something happened." (T)

 

She was with Toris?
I hope there was no incident.

 

"To summarise, there was some kind of... I want to say accident but it was done intentionally. In the end, my mother basically lost her voice." (E)

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." (T)

"Yet that's not the actual issue." (E)

"Then what?" (T)

"There would be a way to help others to understand her again. The thing is, the one who could help is the one who's responsible for her state." (E)

"So you have to go to the person who is at fault?" (T)

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea. I can barely contain my anger and I cannot afford to openly challenge this person." (E)

"Nevertheless, you have to go." (T)

 

She says this in a manner of fact.
I don't really know how to answer her.

 

"I honestly don't know what exactly your status here is but I'm rather sure it's higher than that of most of the other creatures. You're bearing responsibility! As such you cannot afford to let indecisiveness rule your actions or let your own issues prevent you from doing what is necessary." (T)

 

She's right.
I know she's right.
Getting this... concoction?
Getting this would be for the best.
At least I should try obtaining it.
It's not as if there's any harm that could come to me.
As long I can keep my calm that is.
But this is my problem and not my family's.
However, I can't help but worry.

 

"Alright." (T)

 

Huh?

 

"What is alright?" (E)

"I'll accompany you. I know how to talk to stuck-ups." (T)

 

You won't even be able to talk to her!
You can't speak Formicea!

 

"This, this might be dangerous! For all I know this princess is extremely whimsical." (E)

"So a princess? Doesn't matter. I'm not some helpless maiden." (T)

 

Well, she was able to take Liseti head-on.
This Honiu is said to be older but I believe she isn't as experienced in combat as Liseti.

 

"I'm not sure about this." (E)

"See it like this: You want my trust? Then include me." (T)

"Alright, alright. But you can't provoke her. This could turn out terrible. Attacking a princess or harming her for whatever reason is basically the one greatest crime one can do here." (E)

"If you say so. But just before it went fine." (T)

"That's just because Liseti is despite her hard demeanor extremely lenient. She held the whole time with a pheromone order the workers back which were set on eradicating the threat to her life." (E)

 

Now she looks a little anxious at last.

 

"Okay. Seems I need to be glad to still be alive. However, we should go. One shouldn't delay such things. You're... not going to be occupied anytime soon, right?" (T)

 

Urgh, seems she has figured it out by now.

 

"Ehk, y-yes. It's... fine." (E)

"Then let's go." (T)

"Just a moment, please." (E)

 

I turn to Kyska who magically is suddenly in attendance.

 

<Kyska, tell Suki she's in charge, and then please lead us to Honiu. But first, call Skiras.> (E)

<Immediately, my princess.> (K)

 

It doesn't take long for Skiras to appear in front of me.

 

"My princess." (Sk)

 

He bows down.
Which is a bit too much for my taste.

 

"Please go and tell Honiu that I'm coming. As far I know it's rude to appear without prior appointment." (E)

 

At least I would hate it to barge in her laying session.

 

"This instant, my princess." (Sk)

 

He rushes out and lifts off in the main cave of the hive to get up there.
With this, all preparations are finished.
All I have left to do now is to walk over for that visit.
And I can't call it off anymore.

Sigh. Hopefully, this will work out.