Formicea

 

- Toris -

 

Uh, I can still hear sister, even from here.
Or at least I can sense how she's totally overreacting again.
I don't really know how that works, but she's totally panicking.
Seriously, she became such a worrywart.
How can she have an army and be so insecure?

 

<You shouldn't have such thoughts about the princess. She's such an esteemed being.> (M)

 

Oh no.
Ever since I drank this strange liquid, Miwa could always tell what I'm thinking.
It's almost scary.

She was already very good at predicting what I'm intending to do before, but now I have no chance.
If I had known this before drinking it I might have had second thoughts.
They really are a bit too much if it's about my sister.

But it was not as bad as my sister apparently thinks.
Mum told me this drink was something similar to what took her voice, but not as strong.
While this sounds quite bad I wanted to talk like mum.
I hope if more do this it helps her not to feel like she's standing out.
Also, I don't think it was such a big deal.
Only my throat burned for a while and occasionally it still prickles there.
No biggie.

But I'm also slightly worried.
It's the first time I'm this far away from our new home.
Everyone is nice here but it's still sooo big.
And I don't know if I can do well.
Sister, mum, dad, they all made such a big thing of this, and now I might do poorly.
Still, I can't chicken out here.

Miwa brings me to the place I still remember from last time.
I know there comes a big hall after this tunnel.
And in front of the entrance stands one of the tallies.
I call them like this because they're so much taller than the others while at the same time quite thin.
They seem to be nice if a bit strange.
Still, they're so impressive that I don't know how to talk to them.
Miwa on the other hand just approaches that one.

 

<As agreed, I bring princess Erys' younger sibling. Per order, I need to inform you that each and every interaction will first have to be approved by me.> (M)

<Acceptable. Everything is within the parameters. You have permission to enter.> (L)

 

Oh, I know that one.
It's the tallie that we met last time when I came with my sister.

And ever since I had that other changing stuff, that for the nose, I could hear them like this.
But it's weird, while it makes sense there's some kind of difference to normally formed words it's ... harder to pinpoint.
As if it's more than just what is said but at the same time a bit vague.
Yet now we enter.
As soon as I enter, the scholar bows to me before coming a bit too close.
Miwa steps in between.

 

<The princess was very precise that any closer contact is forbidden.> (M)

<I only wanted to examine him. I'm sure there's a distinctive difference to his last visit.> (L)

 

Oh, I'm sure he means this speaking drink.

 

<Princess Honiu granted a special modification to allow this one speech. Any examinations have first to be approved by me. My princess is very strict about this matter.> (M)

<As you wish. Then I hereby request an examination of the youngling's throat.> (L)

 

Miwa looks at me as if she wants something.
Oh, she's asking me.

 

<Skrak!/ What does he mean with an examination?> (T)

 

I don't even know why I'm talking like this.
It's kinda weird to think that I'm understood.
And it clicks funnily in my throat whenever I speak in this way.

 

<It would be beneficial if I may observe the affected area for any signs of metamorphosis.> (L)

<Ehk, if it's just looking it's fine.> (T)

<It's within the limit, as long no excessive physical contact happens.> (M)

 

The tallie bows so that he's really close.

 

<Can you open your mouth?> (L)

 

It's a bit scary, but he's just looking, right?
I do and the tallie comes really close, looking directly inside.
It's a bit uncomfortable

 

<Ah, not quite the same as observed with princess Erys. The pheromone glands are there but look a bit smaller, and fewer in general. However, there are more beginning stubs. Very intriguing.> (L)

<What is the meaning of this?> (M)

<How long will it be till this one will reach maturity?> (L)

<Unknown.> (M)

 

I think I could say something here.

 

<Uh, I'm seven and my sister is now eighteen years. But my parents still say she's a child.> (T)

<Years?> (L)

<The same time span as a cycle.> (M)

<Fascinating. Then this might be an explanation. I was wondering how such an unfinished modification could occur, but if the specimen isn't matured yet and there's still so much time this explains it.> (L)

<As far as I know, this modification was from the beginning planned to only have a limited effect on the speech, as to preserve the old form of communication.> (M)

<Is that so? New hypothesis: The fact that there's still continuing growth in the specimen leads to further adjustment with the passage of time. The body looks for a way to combine both existing concepts while developing them further. Progressive observation will be necessary.> (L)

 

Uh, my head hurts.
This was far too complicated for me.
Something about my mouth still changing?
Miwa is extremely stressed now.
It's kinda weird to know about how someone else feels.

 

"Ehm, I feel fine." (T)

<Truly, still able to produce sounds of a completely different range.> (L)

 

Miwa feels now a bit more at ease.

 

<We came here for a reason.> (M)

<I know. Filling this being with knowledge befitting a scholar. Please follow.> (L)

 

Finally, we can now go in.
It's such an awesome place.
Those halls are so large and totally round.
A bit further in waits another tallie, together with a... Mini?
Huh, that one looks just like the tall ones but is so much smaller.

 

<This here is princess Erys first scholar. It was designated as Dimion. We want to compare their abilities to receive and process information to determine their respective pace.> (L)

 

Ah, so he belongs to my sister.

 

<Hello, I'm Toris.> (T)

 

Is it right this way? I thought it would be better to speak familiarly to him.

 

<I perceive my broodmother's scent on you.> (D)

"Uh, well. She's my sister." (T)

<Odd communication. Sister?> (D)

<Humans utilize a different way of communication, purely based on vocal communication. Another difference is the human way of reproduction leading to smaller separated groups. Those are called "families". Similar to the packs of several other species in the world. As princess Erys' scholar this knowledge will be crucial for your role.> (L)

<Information received.> (D)

 

I'm not too sure if I can befriend him.
The hunters aren't as stiff as he is.

 

<We will now begin with the learning process. For a scholar, the cardinal function is to receive and process the information gathered by the swarm. Be it old recordings or new reports. Both have to be inspected before they're reproduced and archived.> (L)

 

He brings each of us a pod and opens them in front of us.

 

<This is information about the structure and workings of the nursery.> (L)

 

Okay, that's the same as last time. This wasn't so bad back then.
Having those pictures and thoughts in my head that weren't mine was weird, but I don't think it's a big problem.
I notice the scent and have again the same sensation.

I see the big strand in the middle of this super cave and where it's located.
But it's not completely the same, as there are slight differences.
I know, since I just saw it on the way here.
Then I somehow draw closer and it's as if I'm observing the different parts of it from the outside.
I know, and in my mind can see, how there are nurses caring for eggs.

Then I switch to a place where they care for little worms.
One by one, I can see every single place within the big strand and learn how they work there.
It's a bit much at once as I see all those places and somehow what I see sticks.
I don't directly forget it, even if it's so much.

Suddenly, I wake up again.
I notice that the pod in front of me got closed.

 

<This is enough. The information pods will soon have to be refilled.> (L)

 

I think about what I just saw, or... felt?
I don't really know what would be right to describe it.
Anyway, it was so much.
And cool.

I was never before in the nursery and now I know about all the places there.
I saw how they are working in this place and everything else that's important about it.
And well, that it's called the nursery.

 

"I would really want to see it myself." (T)

<For what reason? The pheromone pods are sufficient to gain insight.> (D)

"It's just not the same! Being there would be much cooler." (T)

 

<Both positions are valid. While Dimion is right that by relying on pods a greater quantity of information can be processed it's true that reports can be shallow and unprecise. Just during the careful processing can the according questions about relevant properties of a subject be formed and put into practice. Yet as a scholar we wouldn't do well following a patrol or during combat, this kind of intricate analysis can only be performed on caught specimens and gathered samples. Also, while personal interaction might provide new insights, it's important for a scholar to be able to assess the information through the processing of the already present pheromone reports if the matter was sufficiently analyzed.> (P)

Makes sense.
While I'm a bit curious about how this place looks for real, I am very sure that I wouldn't learn anything new.
I guess they already know well enough how their own stuff works.

 

<Toris. We would continue with another report. Are you able to proceed?> (L)

<I think. It was very much, and if I do too much my head might start to hurt.> (T)

<Pain has to be avoided. My princess won't look kindly on this if something happens.> (M)

<Certainly. It's clear that there are limits to the possible intake. We have to adjust correspondingly. Scholar Dimion?> (L)

<I can continue.> (D)

<Then proceed.> (L)

 

The tallie gives Dimion another pod and he smells it.
When I think I am ready I get mine as well.
It's about the mushroom fields below.
Like this, we continue.
All in all, this is really much and a bit difficult.
But I'm also seeing so many interesting things at once.
I think I like it here.

 

             

 

- Erys -

 

Worriedly waiting for my family members to return kinda becomes a habit.
But how is something a bad habit if others are responsible for it?
However, what one could hold me accountable for would be that I'm using the messengers Liseti gifted me back then to watch them.
My own messengers still need around a week to be able to fly proficiently enough for such a job.
Yes, okay, I know that I shouldn't stalk my family.
It's just that so much can happen and I at least want a little bit of control.

Like this, I in advance know when my little brother returns.
I'm waiting a bit before I tell dad, so I can avoid raising questions regarding how I know this.
Mum is meanwhile at Honiu's place, like most of the time.
Should I be concerned about the fact that she seems to get along with her?
Anyways, I'm the first to hug my brother when he comes back.

 

"Toris!" (E)

"Ehk, sister. You-you're a bit too loud." (T)

 

Huh?
I called out to him, but I wouldn't say I was especially loud.
Oh, he means inside his head.
Yes, takes a bit to get used to this.
I have to tone down my excitement.

 

"And, how was it?" (E)

<He performed satisfactorily. The overseeing scholar was pleased. He wasn't as proficient as a specialized scholar, but still adequate. They theorized it might be due to prior knowledge.> (M)

 

Well, I never expected Toris to become a perfect information processor.

Especially not on his first day.

He's still a child and should enjoy himself.

 

"How was it Toris? Did you have a nice day? Was there anything unpleasant? If it was I'll do anything to remedy it!" (E)

 

"No. It was nice. I met a mini tallie." (T)

"Mini-... Tallie?" (E)

 

Isn't that contradicting itself?

 

"Oh, I meant a... scholar. Is that right?" (T)

"Yes, yes I guess it is." (E)

 

This means Toris met the one I just recently laid.
Am I fine with this?
I mean, everything that has to do with laying eggs is quite a peculiar topic for me.
On the other hand, I wouldn't consider my... offspring a bad influence.
It's just terribly weird.

It doesn't take much longer and dad returns as well.
Toris gives us a rundown of the things he experienced today.
In reality and in mind, although the distinction between those might become a bit difficult.
Mum doesn't return until late.
Apparently, she had to manage a greater laying after Honiu went to sleep, which took a bit longer and is just a weird reason not to get home on time.

However, it's soothing that everything went well today.
At least it's nice to know that there are no imminent problems.