Formicea

 

After the talk is over I try doing as mum said.
For this, I first have to find Toris.
The fact that the drones are just too eager to assist me helps quite a bit in this regard.
I walk through some of the more shallow alleys of my district and subsequently find him after enough asking around.

 

“Sister!” (T)

<Princess, you’re here?> (M)

 

Ah, there’s Miwa.
Dutifully looking after my little brother.

 

“Yes. I was looking for Toris. Did he give you a hard time?” (E)

<Certainly not. I am more than able to fulfill the role you granted me, my princess.> (M)

“She’s so good! Even when I’m sure that I left her behind, when I turn around she just stands there, no matter how far I ran!” (T)

 

Poor Miwa.

 

<This is because I memorized his scent, my princess. It is slightly similar to yours and like this, I can follow his pheromones without issues.> (M)

“Pheromones? My brother has no pheromones.” (E)

<Oh, I’m sure of it. It might be faint and not fit for communication, but the traces are unmistakable.> (M)

 

Do I need to worry?
Maybe this is even more of a reason to send him to the scholars.
However, he looks fine at the moment.

 

“What do you want, sister?” (T)

“You’re a little bored right now, am I right? (E)

“Uh, a little.” (T)

<He shows clear signs of insufficient exercise. Like some of the hunters do occasionally.> (M)

 

Right.
Thanks, Miwa.

 

“You see, mum and I had this idea. Say, would you like to regularly go to a place where you could learn all kinds of things about the insects and many other topics?” (E)

 

His eyes grow wide at this, so I think I hit the mark.

 

“Can I? Can I really?!” (E)

“Well, I’d try to arrange something. But you need to be sure about this. You know, if I do this you have to follow up. It would be very bad if you’d directly lose interest after all the effort. So I need to ask you if this is really what you want to do.” (E)

“Yes! Yes, I want!” (T)

“Okay. Then I will first arrange a meeting. We’re going there at least once so you can gain a picture. If you then still want it we can make it something regular. But I need to warn you. The things in the chamber of knowledge can be quite much to take in.” (E)

 

I mean, he’s young and suggestible, so those pheromone pods could be too much for him.
Because of this, I will certainly assign Miwa to watch over him.
She clearly did an amazing job until now.

 

“Thank you, sister!” (T)

 

With a warm feeling in my chest, I head back to the main plaza.
As soon I arrive I walk straight to the first messenger and let it deliver my request to the chamber of knowledge.
To my surprise, I don’t need to wait for long.
Even more surprising is that they are not only open to the idea but would receive us this very day.
Since there’s no reason to waste time I let some drones fetch Toris and rather soon we’re on our way.
While walking I use this chance to speak to Miwa.

 

<Ehk, kriku!/Ehm, hello Miwa.> (E)

 

Never said I would be subtle about this.

 

<My princess, what is the matter?> (M)

<Are you fine with Toris? I know he can be quite hard to deal with.> (E)

“Hey!” (T)

 

Ah, right.
He can hear this now.
It's almost a bit vexing that my secret language isn't secret anymore.
Talking behind others' backs while being directly in front of them was kinda the only perk to it.
Nonetheless, I think it might be for the better to talk in a, for Miwa, comfortable way.

 

<There are no issues. He might be quite wild, but not more than the hunters I tended to before.> (M)

 

Well, if that’s her standard.

 

<But I hope you’re fine with your current assignment. It’s not quite the same as what a nurse usually does, right?> (E)

 

I mean, she’s just a babysitter for one single kid.
It might be that she’s unsatisfied with that role.

 

<It’s certainly an unusual occupation.> (M)

<I wanted to tell you that my brother means much to me. I only assigned you because I trust you. So I hope you will continue to support me.> (E)

 

She stares at me for a moment before she responds.

 

<Thank you for your trust, my princess. It honors me.> (M)

<Just know that I really count on you, Miwa.> (E)

<Certainly, my princess.> (M)

 

I barely noticed how during this talk we already arrived at the location.
I take my baby brother a little closer and enter with him this peculiar structure.
Since we’re expected, at the entrance a scholar already awaits us.
When I come closer I can discern the pheromones and realize it’s Likriades who helped me during my last excursion to this place.

 

<Princess Erys. How fortunate that you arrived. And is this the mentioned individual?> (L)

 

He gestures at Toris who flinches a bit, as scholars can look quite intimidating.

 

“Ah, Likriades. Yes, this is my brother Toris. Before anything happens I absolutely want you to know how extremely important he is to me. So in any case, you need to swear to me that no harm may befall him if I leave him in your care. I wouldn’t know what to do. It might have terrible consequences.> (E)

 

Honestly, I might completely freak out and start a small swarm war which I’d definitely gonna lose.
But that won’t keep me from threatening others with this.
And they shouldn’t even consider experimenting with him.
Also, I’m using my speech, as scholars should by default be able to understand it.
Likriades processes this for a moment before he answers.

 

<There should be no issues. This environment is well-protected and the occupation a safe one, princess.> (L)

“I hope so. Nonetheless, I want that Miwa accompanies my brother to his lessons to watch out for him and make sure that he’s fine. That’s okay, right?” (E)

<It should be. The access might be for good reason restricted but with your special permission, it’s safe to assume it will be granted. Especially as this is a great chance to learn more about humans.> (L)

<The goal is, that he can explain to other humans who exactly we are. You know, since it can soothe the other party if they're familiar with their partner. This could help very much in terms of mutual understanding.> (E)

 

Not like I'm planning to use my brother, but I like to have a justification for something that will require some effort from the scholars.

 

<This is definitely a reasonable plan, princess Erys.> (L)

<But as I said, don’t do anything weird to him. And don't put him at risk. If there are any questions you might ask Miwa. She should be able to answer any questions regarding my brother.> (E)

 

And tell them when they go too far.

 

<Certainly, my princess.> (M)

<As you wish, princess Erys.> (L)

 

I know I’m probably overthinking, but since the incident happened I want to be prepared.
This brings me to this.

 

<Also, would you have maybe a more basic pod for Toris to try? I’d like to know if he can safely use them.> (E)

“Naturally, princess.” (L)

 

He moves away and a short time later returns with a vessel.
I look at Toris, worrying about the fact that he didn’t say a word yet.
He might be a little intimidated.

 

“This is something like a story container. Do you want to try? It would be quite essential for you to learn here.” (E)

 

He nods, which is enough confirmation for me.

 

“Okay, let me try first.” (E)

 

Before my little brother gets this I also have to make sure about the content.
He’s still so young and stuff like first-hand impressions of massacres for example might not be suitable teaching material.
Which I should later clarify and especially appoint Miwa to pay attention to this.

I open the pod.
As soon I receive the pheromones I become aware of the displayed concept.
As wished it’s nothing outrageous, but basic.
A summary of the primary features which have to be followed when establishing a hive.
Naturally much smaller in comparison.
From the nursery at the center, to storage halls, setting up the mycelium, and special quarters.
It’s not too interesting as this contains nothing I didn’t already know.

Wait! Why do I know this stuff?
When did I gain knowledge regarding how to establish an insect base?
This is certainly weird, but it feels as if the information was the whole time there but now got activated with the stimulation of the pod.
While I might be a bit concerned, this is certainly no dangerous knowledge for Toris.
So without further delay, I reach it towards him.
He’s naturally still a bit insecure but soon takes a sniff.
And his eyes grow wide.

 

“Toris, are you okay?” (E)

“Yes, sister.” (T)

 

Okay, he looks fine for the moment.

 

“Then do you think you could do this regularly?” (E)

 

Well, if this isn’t an emphatic nod.
Seems like he’s good.

 

“Alright. Since it seems like there's no reason why my brother shouldn't come here, I’ll entrust him to you.” (E)

<Thank you for your trust, princess. And may I make a proposal?> (L)

“Of what kind?” (E)

<We noticed a short time ago that you created a scholar. As it happens to be, it might be beneficial to let this one study together with your brother. There might lie a great insight in this, by comparing their individual education and learning about their unique differences.> (L)

 

It’s not entirely bad.
Competition or just someone else who’s there to learn might improve the lessons.
However, there’s a problem.

 

“Isn’t this scholar far too young? He barely came out of its egg, not to speak of studying anything at all.” (E)

<This might be. We estimate it to be ready in around eight intervals. So we would ask you to wait until then for your brother to begin his assignment.> (L)

 

It’s not like we’re pressured with time.
My brother can wait some days without anything happening.
After all, the original issue was that he had too much time at hand.

 

“This should be possible. There’s still enough time left.” (E)

<Magnificient. Then I’ll prepare all the necessary arrangements. Your brother won’t have a reason to complain.> (L)

 

At least I believe Likriades to be trustworthy.
It’s clear that he’s eager to make this work.

 

“Good. Then if you’d excuse us. We would like to return.” (E)

<Naturally. As far as I know, your next laying session might start soon, so it’s understandable that you’d like to return.> (L)

 

What kind of information do they gather here?!
This is far too private!
Before he will unnecessarily sprout other intimate details I push all of us out.
Since my brother was the whole time unnaturally quiet I worry a bit if this is really the right place for him.
However, then he starts.

 

“This was so cool! This big one was so awesome, I couldn’t say anything! And then this, this… stuff! I never saw something like this. Oh, no… seeing isn’t right. Thinking?” (T)

 

Now he’s lost in thought about how to process this experience.
It seems he might truly manage as a scholar.
Like this, we all get on our way back home.