Formicea

 

I get rather fast an answer in form of a messenger from Liseti.
Unsurprisingly she promises me her unlimited support.
I guess she wants as well to advance her training to another level with real weapons.
I just hope that her drones won't pay the price for my request.

Anyway, soon I'll have to talk with her and Olira about the details of our little agreement.
What surprises me much more is when I receive another response.
And this in form of a scholar who almost glides on his legs in my courtyard.

I won't lie, their appearance unsettles me deeply, along with the fact that they observed my state like a... I don't really know what it's called, but it's certainly not right to cause such a change in a being and look at its suffering with morbid interest.
The same demeanor that one still emits.
Despite my aversions, I decide to receive him.

 

<Ah, princess Erys. We were pleasantly surprised to hear from you. Did you take an interest in our knowledge?> (scholar)

<Ehk, I believe I send the messenger to ask for access to the library for one of the humans.> (E)

<Yes, indeed. But why such a pointless act. It wouldn't be able to delve into the pheromone pods as our kind can. All this might bring, are damages to the pods due to the human's innate lack of self-control.> (scholar)

<This won't be a problem. This human underwent a limited change to enable her to receive pheromones. Also, I'm personally guaranteeing that she'll be careful. That she receives access is a personal matter of mine of great importance. In addition, you are allowed to take as many precautions as you deem necessary to avoid destruction from a single human.> (E)

<Scrlch, scroo!/A change? How intriguing. Would she allow an investigation of the affected areas?> (scholar)

 

The scholar feels very eager.
Thrilled, in a disturbing way.
However, it's important that Olira can gain access so I subsequently can get what I want from her.
Not like I like weapons but without them, my royal guard will be quite restricted in their abilities.
And I'm kinda personally involved with them.

 

<If this makes it possible that she can enter. Maybe.> (E)

 

Wait, am I right now selling off Olira?
Again?!

 

<But nothing invasive.> (E)

<Understood, princess.> (scholar)

<Then please wait a moment.> (E)

 

I decide to be the first one to tell Olira.
Also, to warn her about the possible examination.

 

In front of the entrance, I start to wonder how to call her without being too invasive, since calling her out didn't work that well.
I try knocking on the wall.

 

"Screech"

 

Yet I slip up a bit and my nails scratch on the surface, producing an unpleasant sound.

 

"God, what was that?!" (T)

"S-sorry." (E)

"I know I said you shouldn't neglect your guests, but that doesn't mean you have to come over and over and over!" (T)

"Ehk, I-I just wanted to talk to Olira." (E)

"Then why are you waking me up?" (T)

"Y-you slept?" (E)

"Any idea what this environment does to you? We have no inkling about the passing of time here. My night-day rhythm is totally off." (T)

"Sorry, again. Shall I tell a nurse to wake you up each morning?" (E)

"Not necessary. After all we won't stay much longer." (T)

"What? Did something happen?" (E)

"No. It's just that this mission eventually had to come to an end. We're already almost two weeks here. I saw everything of importance and have to make my report or they might assume I'm dead. Especially the radical elements probably already claim so. And Olira can't neglect her business forever. So we will have to leave in approximately two days." (T)

 

Can't say anything against this.
It was nice to have more humans here.
It made everything appear less foreign.
I mean, while I'm living here now for quite some time, the time I spent among humans overweighs.
So seeing both here blurred the contrast a bit and made it easier to adapt.

 

"However, it's very likely that they will eventually send a real diplomat down here when things settle down." (T)

"So you're going to tell them to establish friendly relations?" (E)

"I'd like to live a bit longer. So, yes." (T)

 

This is great!
This means my attempts for a peaceful existence as neighbors work out.

 

"Yawn! Why are you so loud here?" (O)

"Olira, good news. I wanted to tell you that I got the permission for you to enter the chamber of knowledge. But I should warn you, it can be quite intense." (E)

"Oh, really? That still sounds fascinating. My own request was completely blocked off. It's remarkable that you have such influence." (O)

"Ehk, by the way, would you be willing to let someone look into your nose?" (E)

"Okay, that gets too weird for me. I'm back in bed." (T)

"Ahem. What exactly are we talking here about?" (O)

"I don't know. That one scholar just really wants to inspect you. Ehk, that sounds wrong. It's just that it could help to gain their cooperation and this would be good, right? Aside from that I absolutely ascertained it's not dangerous." (E)

"Sigh. Can't be worse than drink this Sollerian welcoming drink. That stuff is so bitter you want to scrape your tongue for hours." (O)

 

I don't know what to make out of this comment.
All I know is that Solleria is a country far in the south, behind a vast desert.
That drink is unknown to me.
But now I'm rather sure I won't ever gain an interest in it.
I head with Olira back to the scholar who patiently waited.

 

<That's her. I don't think there will be any problems.> (E)

 

Scholars aren't fast.
Their large frame built on too tiny legs isn't allowing them to move quickly.
However, the speed with which this one crosses the distance to Olira is astonishing.
And totally surprises the latter at this disturbing examiner.
The way the scholar begins to look at her from all sides, while only moving his head and torso doesn't help very much.

 

<Not a single outer feature present. Was there truly an alteration to this one's olfactory receptors?> (scholar)

"Uh, I understood what he said, but at the same time... not." (O)

"Ehk, as I said, he's interested in the pheromone change." (E)

 

I guess I should answer the scholar as well.

 

<Yes there was. Princess Honiu caused it with some concoction.> (E)

<Princess Honiu? Remarkable.> (scholar)

 

Suddenly the scholar moves forward, grabs Olira's head on both sides, and lifts it up so he can look from below.
I realize he stares into the nose.

 

"Erys! What's happening?! Ieekh!" (O)

 

Now he even probes it with his claw!

 

<Fascinating. There's a change in the respective area. A clear distinction. As if only a single particular feature was integrated, yet without any rejection reaction.> (scholar)

"Erys!" (O)

<Scriek!/Please not so rough! She's a guest!> (E)

 

The scholar seems confused at my words, contemplates for a moment, and then let's go.
Olira needs a moment to gather herself and massage her neck and treat her nose.

 

"What! Was! That?!" (O)

"Scholars are a bieet... peculiar. I hope he didn't hurt you. It's a bit difficult with them." (E)

 

All the switching between speeches takes its toll on me.

 

"Difficult is an understatement. And now?" (O)

<Can she now enter the chamber of knowledge?> (E)

<Yes. As it's your wish. We will assign another scholar to survey this individual's visit and take measures.> (scholar)

"You've got your liEbrarye vieesieet!" (E)

 

Damnit, my throat is totally off now.
I have to massage my jaws to get back into the right state.
Olira seems to try to downplay it.

 

"O-okay. Can we go now? After all, there's not too much time left." (O)

"Ehk, yes. Te- I mean Lady Lorata told me." (E)

 

Like this, we get on our way.
I don't really want to leave her on her own and have nothing else left to do at the moment.
Well, another laying session, but it should be some time till then.
Also, I wanted to discuss our agreement regarding weapons with her.
So during the walk, I turn to her.

 

"By the way, I've got Liseti to support us. I'm aware that I don't have too much power yet. But with her, it should be no problem to assemble a suitable payment. Her troops cover most of the system after all. There should be something in the underground that can substitute as a payment." (E)

"It sounds tempting. The point that people won't look pleasant on this still stands. But this might be the case for every trade with you and your people. On the other side, this could be the base for future deals. If I can get now samples of all the things you have to offer. Like this, it might be worth it." (O)

 

I guess she tells me this so I can understand the situation.
I'm no merchant and aside from negotiating prices, which I suck at, there's also stuff like finding suitable partners.
I honestly believe Olira can be such one.
So I want to please her as much as possible.

 

"Maybe I can arrange a meeting with Liseti tomorrow. We should certainly be able to find an agreement." (E)

"That's one of the reasons I want to visit this library. Maybe I'll find something of interest this way. For example, I believe that I might be able to sell this nectar. As long no one learns of the origin that is." (O)

 

The talk ends for now.
We were able to pass the time and the chamber of knowledge comes into sight.
Time to get in there.