Formicea

 

The pool room is amicable warm and spacious.
Below the surface are several stools far enough from the edges to leave space for my wings.
The edges on the other hand have some elevated benches, close enough to the surface.
I really want to dive in, since aside from the nurse's cleanings my last bath was months before I've got abducted, which is because it's pretty hard to get a warm bath in winter.
Yes, it's possible to shovel some snow to melt, but heating it is a nightmare, and being wet in winter is a safe way to mess up one's health, which in this cold is only a good idea if you want to die young.

That aside, a heated pool is by all means incomparable towards a wooden tub that was barely big enough to squeeze my legs in.
But before I can enjoy this little luxury I never had in my life Kyska stops me short.

 

"While I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself and believe your mother that this will be good for you, I ask you to be cautious. Water is a dangerous trap and claimed many lives. Please, be careful when you step in." (K)

 

Yes, sure.
Don't wanna drown like a bug.
Which I kinda am.

I just nod and move to the pool.
Kyska is directly behind me and with a rather firm grasp guides me inside.
But I know she's ready to pull me out if necessary.
When I sink in, the first thing I worry about is my ovipositor.
But it seems that this part of mine somehow sealed itself, not letting any water pass through.

Then I notice a strange sensation.
My body feels as if it's floating.
I notice quickly, that it originates from the carapace beneath my skin.
Or whatever I'm made of beneath this shell.
I wouldn't say it's unpleasant to be pulled up like this but it's a bit distracting.
I guess my wings would be rather useless if I would be too heavy.

I can understand why water must be terrible for the workers if they are the same.
With their leg spikes, they won't be able to swim if they get caught up in the current.
Not a nice death.
Maybe we should research better channel-building techniques.

After the initial trouble with the floating, I settle on the other side of the pool.
The only issue is that I have to clamp down to not drift upward.
When this becomes too tiring I just let it happen and do a mix of paddling and just keeping my head above the water.
Soon after this Temia and Olira enter the pool.
Temia rather dignified, Olira almost jumps in.

 

"Ahhh, I desperately needed this." (O)

 

She spreads her arms and legs and just enjoys the water.

Temia meanwhile starts a vigorous scrubbing of her skin, leaving reddened surface behind.
I'm asking myself if she's going to hurt herself but to my surprise, Suki takes hold of her arm.

 

"What do you want?! Insect!" (T)

"Pleease stop this. Let us hElp, honored guest." (S)

 

Suki, while still a little shrill, talks calmly and with a friendly demeanor toward Temia.
Liseti stares intently and Olira looks very interested.
Mum and Kyska appear a little concerned.

 

"How do you want to help?" (T)

"Nurses are very good at cleaning. She can also only use water if you wish. And they're very skilled. If you're staying open-minded it could be enjoyable." (E)

 

She looks unwilling and reluctant.
But at the same time, one could say it's a local custom.
It might be considered impolite to refuse after such an offer.
So Temia is a bit undetermined about what to do.

 

"Tsk, fine." (T)

 

Suki isn't obviously reacting, but her pheromones tell me she's quite content right now.
Or rather... smug.

Temia lays down on the bench basin, where the nurses can stay without having to swim.
Which might prove difficult with those thin carapace arms.

Shortly after this, Suki starts her usual cleaning procedures, excluding the wings.
It's basically a massage she applies by making use of all four of her arms.
Temia looks a little bit uncomfortable.
Not because of how the treatment is conducted, but because of the simple fact that a giant insect is fondling her naked form.
Honestly, I can understand her reservation to a degree.

Meanwhile, Liseti is guided by both her nurses into the water.
Very carefully setting step after step in there.
She moves with the grace of royalty in the way that she stays completely upright during the act.
I don't even know how she holds her balance with this weight issue.

At last, my mother follows.
Since it was her project this is only fair.
The pool is more than big enough to accommodate us all.

 

"Nngh!" (T)

 

Huh?

I look towards Temia and her face...

Uh, hard to tell.
Suki gives her something like a back massage with wiping movements and she... seems to be enjoying herself?

 

"Mnnh!" (T)

 

Yep, I'd say Suki hit right the spot.
Then I jump forward, swim with a hard stroke a short distance, extend my arm in a rush and just in time manage to cover Olira's mouth before she can say whatever went through her head to Temia.
It goes well right now, no reason to ruin it.
Since I don't clamp to her mouth she quickly frees it.

"What was that for?" (O)

"What did you just want to say?" (E)

 

I try to convey with my look that I have an idea.

 

"Uh, just if one of your nurses would be willing to do me as well?" (O)

 

Oh please, wording.
That was certainly intentional.

 

<Erys needs at least one attendant for herself, however, one of mine is free. Tasi, would you please?> (L)

 

She sits almost meditating on one of the submerged stools, most of her body sticks like this out of the water.
The mentioned nurse isn't losing any time to circle the pool towards Olira.

Now I want to do something I really need.
I take a deep breath and dive down.
Staying even for a moment below the surface is difficult at best and I need to use my long nails to cling to the sides of the pool but I finally wanted to treat my head.
It was greasy since the start of my transformation and I never got completely rid of the oil in my hair.

Suddenly claws clamp my arms and pull me up.
I am so startled that I swallow a bit of water.

 

<Priie-ceeeesss!!> (K?)

 

Uh, something is definitely wrong.

 

<A-e y-u al-ight? Y- sudde-ly dr-wned!> (K)

 

Kyska frantically shouts at me, but only half the message gets through.

 

<Screak, scria!/Kyska, could you please stop shouting? I was just going to wash myself. The water isn't even deep.> (E)

 

But Kyska just stares.

 

<M- p-ncess. I -n't und-tand.> (K)

 

What? She cannot hear me?
Olira as well looks weirdly at me.

 

"I think there's an issue with your talk. For some reason I can only hear what you say at the moment." (O)

"I don't understand." (E)

"As I said, your voice, which I hear in my head when you speak is gone. What was it..." (O)

"Pheromones! You don't receive my pheromones anymore?" (E)

"N-no. Is my princess harmed? Disabled of speech?" (K)

 

Kyska apparently switched to human language after realizing that I can still answer to it.

 

"Yuuu're too worrieed. Thee water is siemplie dilluutieng her pheeromones." (L)

 

Ah, that is it.
This greasy stuff on my head are my pheromones and this one got soaked in water so I can't produce a scent message that can be received.

 

"If it's that it should be fine as soon I dry. You don't need to worry, I only wanted to clean my body with water, I'm well." (E)

 

Kyska looks defeated but still worried.
Next, she will surely reprimand me because of my wet wings, which are now hanging down.

Nonetheless, as there is no real problem everyone settles down.

Mum simply enjoys the comfort of a pool, Liseti slowly dips deeper into the water, always treated by her remaining nurse, which uses scooped up water to dip her sponge claws in it.

Meanwhile, Temia tries reluctantly not to enjoy her treatment too much, while Olira does so very loud and obvious.
Almost sinful.
How was that part about harems?

And I settle further to the sides, where some benches are, closer to the surface.
I swam enough and maybe should dry my head a bit.
There I can simply lay down, while most of my body stays below the water level.
Now I feel actually relaxed while getting slightly elevated through my floating abilities.
A short moment later Kyska is already behind me and starts one of her expert massages. Especially around the wing muscles, it's a sensual sensation.

 

"Scrrrrrrrrrrrr" (E)

"Ehk, you're vibratieng wieth your wiengs again, Erye?" (F)

"Yes, okay, I'm purring. It's a thing now!" (E)

 

I really don't feel like being all defensive about this.
Maybe I can just enjoy now.
Before I drift into sleep I become aware that there's something I should ask if I don't want to accidentally sleep in and wake up tomorrow when it's too late.

 

"Ehk, Mum?" (E)

“Yez, Ery?" (F)

"Could you find some nurses of my... part of the swarm? You know, to send them with Olira as some kind of merchant assistants." (E)

 

She worked now for some time with my brood in the nursery, tended to them, and like this maybe has an idea if there are nurses fitted to interact with humans.

 

"Oh, right. I'll have to make some arrangements." (O)

"Ehk? ThEy're stiell all so young. SEnding them so far away at thies age?" (F)

<Before they'll arrive they should have matured sufficiently> (L)

 

Liseti still barely went into the water, sitting on her stool.
So her pheromones convey fine.
Mum meanwhile seems to produce them in her throat, so I could understand her even without her forcing herself to talk human.

 

"You know good candidates? Okay, I trust your judgment on this matter." (E)

 

I hope Kyska won't take offense that I prefer mum over her in choosing the right nurses, but I believe mum knows better about who can interact well with humans.
Kyska is a professional, but mum has a unique disposition regarding social interaction, so I would want her opinion on this.

After that, we again settle down.
Soaking in the water, getting massages, enjoying the warmth.
I can finally relax.

 

"Plop"

 

<Scriek!/What?> (E)

 

I relaxed! I goddamn relaxed!
How could I make such a stupid mistake?!

 

"What happens... Oh no!" (T)

<Screo!/Ery!> (F)

"Oh my." (O)

 

Kyska is already at it to assemble the nurses, while Suki switches from her massage to directly taking care of me.
Liseti just stares.

And I?

I panic!

 

"Plop"

 

<I'm sorry, but could everyone please leave now?> (E)

"Sorry, but that... I don't know what to say." (O)

"Leave!" (E)

 

"Plop"

 

At least the humans go now.
It might also be due to the fact that no one in their right mind would want to stay in this water.
If not for my mother, who approaches.

 

<Mum.> (E)

<Ery, do you need me?> (F)

<This is just so embarrassing! I'm dying of shame!> (E)

"Iet's okay, Erye. You're fiene." (F)

 

She speaks calmly and pronounced.
Forming human words, reminding me of my childhood.
I think she trained to say this flawlessly.

 

"Thanks. I, I think I can do this." (E)

"Good. I think I should help the other nurses. It would be unfair to leave everything to them." (F)

 

God, my mum is a full-fledged nurse!

 

"Plop, plop"

 

More eggs emerge and float on the water's surface where they get scooped up by nurses, and my mum.
The only one who remains in the pool is Liseti.

 

<I-I'm sorry, but could you leave as well.> (E)

<I cannot!> (L)

<Wh-What? Why?!> (E)

 

She says this very determined, but this is a situation for me where I absolutely don't want to get watched.

 

<The warmth and loss of weight have a relaxing effect on my body. In general, this environment is very stimulating.> (L)

<Scrik, cree, kri-kreak!/Wait, what are you saying there? What... No, you can't be serious, you...> (E)

 

"Plop"

 

This didn't come from me.
This can't be true.
This is a joke!

Do I really have now a joint session with Liseti?!!

 

Liseti's personal nurses take care of her and soon the whole bathhouse is crawling with twice the usual number of nurses who transport twice the number of eggs.
I overhear something during the end of this ordeal when it slowly ebbs down.

 

<Miss Farrah, I need to thank you. I was unsure about this project, but it proves to be tremendously beneficial for conducting the princess' session. It helps to lower the tension and keeps the eggs in pristine condition till they can be transported. This is truly a wonderful advancement.> (K)

<Oh, well, it wasn't directly intended this way. But if it helps.> (F)

 

Those damn unignorable pheromones, which make it impossible not to overhear disturbing stuff.
Shortly later, it ends.
Liseti during the whole time barely moved and now approaches me.

 

<This was an interesting experience. I will consider installing a similar facility in my quarter. If it just wouldn't be such a distance from the reservoir.> (L)

 

And with this, she leaves.
And another moment, which I'll have to work hard to erase from my memory, ends.