Formicea

 

Kyska knows the way to this princess.
Apparently, she lives very far up in the hive.
We follow behind her and I am becoming a little bit uncomfortable when we reach her territory.
The reason I know is a slight shift in the scent of the insects which are here.
Something like a princess stamp.
Yes, my drones are the same.
I have right now the direct comparison due to my escort.
No further comments about this.

I try to soothe myself with the thought that she can't harm me without breaking a law which means death for herself but nonetheless I'm worried.
Especially, in hindsight, it might've been a bad idea to bring Temia along.
Yet at this point, I can't send her off.
Not here.

I reach Honiu's courtyard and think that the formations of the walls look somewhat extravagant with all the different depicted patterns.
Nobody is trying to get in my way but the stares of the drones tell me they're not on my side.
Putting up a sturdy-looking front I move in.
My escort and even Kyska fall back behind me.
I remember how Liseti reprimanded her so maybe this is for the better, before this Honiu finds a reason to harm her.
Temia meanwhile steps with all the self-esteem of a noble next to my side.
Well, support is appreciated at the moment as anxious I am.

There she is.
Lying in all ease on a bench while gazing at me in a way that tells me I'm barely recorded.
She looks at me like at the grass waving in the wind on a summer day while you're relaxing and only focus on it because you're in the mood to do so.
I knew I wouldn't like her.
Honestly, it's difficult to contain my anger, but I need something from her and have to play nice.
Still, I can't show weakness and like this no emotion.
At least, she eventually pushes herself up to properly adjust her posture.

 

<Skriak!/Princess Erys?> (H)

<Yes.> (E)

<Ah, how fascinating. I was worried you couldn't speak, regarding your appearance. Interesting. Such an individual. How unusual.> (H)

 

Next, her gaze wanders to Temia next to me.
I guess she just wasn't important enough to get her attention until now.

 

<And who is this next to you?> (H)

<This is Lady Lorata. She's a human noble> (E)

<Noble?> (H)

<Similar to a princess. They're leaders of groups of humans.> (E)

 

Temia looks tense but manages to keep it together.
I on the other side am worried.

 

<Can it speak?> (H)

<She can speak human words, yes.> (E)

<This means no. How unfortunate. Her information might have been interesting.> (H)

<I can translate, if necessary.> (E)

"Could you please tell me what's going on?" (T)

"She inquires who you are." (E)

"I need to say, the demeanor reminds quite much of a human noble. One of the more snobbish ones." (T)

<Now please, translate. I am very curious what she's saying.> (H)

 

Maybe I should word it more friendly than implying that she's a lazy bum who just subsists on her status.

 

<She said that you and other human nobles appear to be more similar than she thought.> (E)

<So she's comparing herself to me? Such audacity.> (H)

 

Even if she said that.
Her tone, or rather pheromone scent, is more mocking and indifferent than truly exasperated.
I almost believe that she's amused.

 

<Let's see how much that holds true.> (H)

 

At this moment her tail flings out and the thorn rushes at Temia's head.
She's able to bend herself slightly down to the side and dodge like this.
At the same time, she reaches for her sword and prepares to unsheath it in a slash.

 

<Ah, that wasn't fear, but a controlled movement. And then directly preparing a counterattack. Does she know what would happen to her would she cut my ovipositor?> (H)

<Are you sane!? You can't just attack an ambassador!> (E)

<Oh, I could if I want. I'm a princess and like this don't have to fear repercussions as long as my brood can compensate for the action. Yet this was merely a test.> (H)

"What did this bitch say?" (T)

"Basically that she's an asshole and can do whatever she wants." (E)

"Kinda believe that part. Tell her that she shall get to the point or I'm going to scrub the floor with her face." (T)

"Ehk, what happened to diplomacy?" (E)

<I don't know why you would compare me to an excretion orifice, but I understand that this one is on the verge of turning hostile.> (H)

 

What!?

 

<Y-you, you understood?> (E)

<Is this so unbelievable? Your communication might be abnormal but I can make do solely with the pheromones you're emitting.> (H)

 

Shit, it gets worse and worse.
Can I even think freely without relaying anything?

 

"What happened?" (T)

"She didn't understand your comments, but mine." (E)

"This doesn't make any sense." (T)

"It's an insect thing." (E)

<How audacious of you to ignore me in my own hall.> (H)

 

Still amused, but with a dangerous tint about what she might do to gain our attention.
I shouldn't let this go on like this.

 

<Sorry. Do you know why I came?> (E)

<Ah, yes. It was about the pheromone agent am I right? The one I used on that drone.> (H)

<My mother!> (E)

<Fascinating concept. Could you explain how this works? I am very intrigued.> (H)

<She is important to me, more you don't have to know. The agent, please.> (E)

<Now I feel hostility from you. Thrilling. How far would you go?>

<Far enough. I'm just here to take this agent to help my family with the mess you brought over us.> (E)

<You are an emotional one. I don't know if I want to help you like this. You didn't even ask properly. Try again. This time without hostility.> (H)

 

I want to choke her so badly but have to swallow it down.

 

<Could you now please give me that agent so I can help my family. I'd like to return as soon as possible.> (E)

<Why not? You are still young so I'll overlook your little mishaps.> (H)

 

She winks at a nurse close by which brings her a small earthen vessel.
Then she positions her ovipositor above it and a short time later a pink fluid escapes and drops inside.

 

<This is what you want, right?> (H)

<Y-yes. How does it work?> (E)

<Simply coat something with it and then plunge it deep into the olfactory orifice. If you draw blood it will work even better.> (H)

 

This isn't the kind of horror treatment I want my brother to receive.
Nonetheless, I might find something less invasive as long I can obtain this liquid.

 

<Now take it.> (H)

 

She takes it with one hand from the nurse and holds it in my direction.
I come closer, reach out...

 

"Splish"

 

Then she shifts her claw to the side, spilling all the vessel's contents on the ground.

 

"Krikrikrikrikrik!" (H)

"Wha-" (E)

<Ah, this expression is magnificent. Such a reaction. Who would have thought this would cause this. The pheromones are telling so much.> (H)

<SKREEAK!/YOU!!!>

 

To hell with playing nice!
This bitch shall pay!
My ovipositor rushes out and positions to pierce that bitch's face.

 

<You are aware, if you do this you won't survive.> (H)

<I don't care! After all, you've done you dare to pull this?!> (E)

 

My swords glide out of my hands and I feel heat rising inside me.
The surrounding drones get ready to prevent me from ripping her into pieces but I just don't care.
Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder.
I throw my glare in the touch's direction and my ovipositor follows.

It's Temia?
She looks intimidated but has the fortitude to speak to me in a calm tone.

 

"I think I understand enough. Calm down! Keep the control! Don't let her play you like this." (T)

 

She's right.
If I die now my family might be in danger.
I have to calm down.
It takes some deep breaths but I'm able to pull the weapons back into my hands and my ovipositor draws back.

 

<My, my. This surpassed my expectations. For a princess a complete overreaction. But you are no common princess. This much is clear now. I will consider this in future meetings. After all, there will be many more interactions till the most distant future.> (H)

<You're leaving my family alone. You hear me?! If you harm them in any way I won't care for consequences. You will die a cruel death!" (E)

 

I shiver internally.
Was all of this a test to gauge my behavior?

 

<I will go back now before I do something I'll regret.> (E)

 

I turn to leave, or this princess might taunt me to pierce her for real.

 

<Skrak!/Wait!> (H)

"What?!" (E)

 

I don't feel anymore like making it easy for her to understand me.

 

<Maybe I overdid it. To think you would react so intense.> (H)

 

She again takes the vessel and puts it close.

 

<And this about something that is so easily replaced.> (H)

 

With this, the liquid again fills from her ovipositor in the bowl.
And again she extends it to me.
I'm reluctant to come close.
Don't want to fall for the same trick twice.
Instead, Temia crosses the distance and extends her hand.

 

<The human? How interesting. I almost wish I could talk to this one. She might be able to entertain me.> (H)

 

She puts the bowl in Temia's hands while focusing her intently.
As soon she got hold of it Honiu jumps forward and grabs her chin.

 

<Say, would you like to talk as well?> (H)

<You can't do this! She's important where she comes from! If you injure her this would completely destroy any kind of relation!> (E)

<Relations? This what you and Liseti are trying to establish by yourself without even informing any other party? Why should this bother me? Do you really think you two could decide this on your own and everyone would just submit?> (H)

"I do- k-ow wha- you- sayngh, but cul- u pleash makh hrr relash me!" (T)

 

Damm, this princess has a point.
Even if Liseti is important, she isn't the one deciding factor.
And I am barely recognized in the current politics.
This means our actions aren't binding to others.
I don't know if we even informed the queen.
The queen!
That's it!

 

<At least we could do so! All the humans were here for days and no one complained! That means the queen is fine with it. Or are you saying she doesn't know?> (E)

 

Yes, it works!
She lets go.

 

<Convincing. But I didn't even intend to do anything in the first place. Things are right now getting so much livelier in the hive. It would be boring to stop this short.> (H)

 

To help Temia out I take the bowl from her hands so she can touch her chin after this assault.
I really should insist on leaving now.

 

<Wait!> (H)

 

Maybe I should now just dash out.
But she might use that against us, so I reply.

 

<What is it now?> (E)

 

Again a wink I don't understand and a nurse brings her a small vessel.
But this one is unlike any I have ever seen here.
It's a really small ball of earth with only a hole to one side.
Honiu takes it and again uses her ovipositor to fill something in.
Then she grabs a bit of earth from the nurse and uses it to seal the hole.

 

<I am truly intrigued by this human. The way she didn't falter but stood up to me. How novel. So tell her, if she ever wants to talk, she has to squash this in her mouth, so it can coat her throat. And it's only for her. No one else.> (H)

 

She hands it to the nurse which fast scurries towards Temia and rather pushy forces her to take it.

 

"What's this?" (T)

"Dangerous! I'll tell you on the way back. Now let us get quickly out here!" (E)

 

We leave and looking back I see that princess and always believe that she smirks.
And maybe she does.
At least with her pheromones.

 

"Coomee bAack suuoooon." (H)

 

What a bitch!