Formicea

 

-Erys-

 

Urgh, I'm spent!

This was absolutely straining.
I mean, I've just talked to my old lord.
A man so important that I never got to see him before.
I mean, he looked alright.
Not the kind of guy who gets fat living on the back of his people, treating them like slaves.
No, this man was tall, rather handsome, and carried proudly a small bronze beard.

However, he looked tired as well.
I guess war is for many different people a troubling matter.
I'm sure he has too much to do right now.
Like this it isn't strange I've never got to know him.
Why should he bother with visiting our little farm with all the land he owns.

 

While I'm at it, do I need to adjust the definition of land?
I mean in above and below the surface?
The swarm controls the tunnels they patrol, so the topic territory has to be addressed.
But is such an overlapping of interests no breeding ground for conflict?

Oh, don't think about breeding!
As far I know myself, after such a tense situation I can be absolutely sure I get a laying attack as soon the tension leaves completely.
So far for my day.

At most I have time until I'm back at my place.
Yet Liseti doesn't seem to be the slightest bit invested with what just happened.

 

<You are looking troubled. Is something wrong? I thought it went all in accordance with your interests.> (L)

<Why are you so calm? This was an extremely stressful situation. If it had turned out badly thousands would have lost their lives. Also, this man was kind of my superior before I've got into this. This wasn't so long ago! This is as if for example Kyska should act this way to you right now.> (E)

<Understandable. You still need to develop the mindset of a princess.> (L)

<Do you really think it is only about this? I cannot understand how you could be so calm. There was so much at stake and you look as if it was just daily business.> (E)

<Why wouldn't I? You might already be aware that the timespan of any being in the swarm other than a princess is very limited. Can you even fathom how much of my own brood I already have outlived? When they die defending the swarm then so be it. After your first hundred cycles, you stop being this invested when their lives end eventually. And while your humans live negligibly longer, I need to say that personally, they don't matter this much to me. Like this, in the knowledge that the forces we are up against don't pose much of a threat I can stay calm as I won't be able to change the outcome and have no reason to grieve deeply in case of failure.> (L)

 

I forgot.
She is old.

She must have seen so much that it simply doesn't bother her anymore.
I can understand this.
And it makes me anxious.
She is basically ready for everything that comes.
And to do everything necessary to follow her agenda.
I rush a little back to my place.

 

I've told Kyska she shall rest for a while.
I asked much from her today.
Even if she sees it as an "honor", in her words, I want her to stay well.
And I've essentially put her life at risk.

I should maybe talk to my family and inform them how it went but first I prefer to get some calm seconds to soothe my mind.
So I let myself fall on the first bench available.

And try to calm down.

 

"Plop"

 

So much for that!

 

An agonizing hour later, which was especially bad as there was quite some time since my last session, I'm done.
Now I'm at least free to talk to my family.

I calm down again and go to meet them.
Nice that they have their room directly here.

 

"Hello, I'm back! And if anyone is interested, the town still stands and we have no interspecies conflict, yet." (E)

 

I find them at the dining table.
Father lets out a sigh of relief, while mother isn't reacting that much.
And I doubt Toris has any understanding about what is going on.

 

"Such a relief!" (R)

 

I share this opinion.
I had no special feelings for Osari but I wouldn't want to be linked to the town's destruction.

 

"Do you want something to eat dear? Suki and some of the other slender ones brought something. They never forget to prepare our meals." (F)

"They must know that I wouldn't like it if you starve." (E)

 

And also Suki must have aimed to distract them while I had my session.

 

"And? How was it?" (F)

"Kyska did a great job. However, I was a nervous wreck. The lord was kinda nice, but naturally I was a little troubled to ask of him what I had to, since I was the only one who was supposed to talk. This was hard!" (E)

"I can believe this. I mean suddenly speaking on equal terms? And to be honest Ery, your attire is a bit lacking. No offense." (F)

 

I pout.

 

"The swarm is simply not very on track in terms of fashion." (E)

"Pfft!" (F)

"Yes, yes! You don't want to know where I've got this from. The lord first thought I was something like a maid or forced translator." (E)

"Well, you look that part. Especially as insecure as you stand there." (R)

"As I've said. Why you don't go up there and make demands to the lord? Something about decreasing the taxes or rebuilding our house?" (E)

 

At this mother chuckles again.

 

"You know that it isn't that easy. There's a war going on!" (R)

"So if there wouldn't be one taking place you would go? But seriously, it was hard! Yet for the matter of our house, I could maybe do something. I don't trust the insects this much with woodwork and using nails or other tools, but if it is enough something like this here should be no problem." (E)

"I need to say the walls are sturdy. It might be a bit crude but the isolation should work. Yet I don't know how it works with rain." (R)

"There is this liquid applicant. I don't know very much about it but in the worst case they would put a little more earth on our home." (E)

"Then windows would be a problem." (F)

"I guess, but you shouldn't expect too much." (E)

"Maybe. Well, we could also just come with you." (F)

"B-but mum, this might be wrong. I couldn't really leave the hive that much and in there it might be too hard for you. Naturally, I would bring you everything you want but there are only insects. Wouldn't you feel bad to live in such a place?" (E)

"I don't know. Haven't tried yet. Don't you think I should at least try to live close to my daughter?" (F)

"I... I wouldn't demand this from you." (E)

"This is the thing with mothers. They sometimes do things for their children just cause." (F)

"But still, isn't this a huge decision? Shouldn't you at least think a while about this." (E)

"We didn't say we wouldn't but we should at least take the time to visit this place." (R)

"But do you think this is the right environment for Toris?" (E)

"He doesn't seem that bothered to me." (F)

"My princess, naturally we would take care of their wellbeing if you wish so!" (K)

"Kyska? Didn't I say you should rest? You've done more than enough for today!" (E)

"I have rested to a sufficient degree, please let me attend you again!" (K)

"Okay, if it's this important for you." (E)

"Thank you, my princess. And as I said, there should be no problem to take care of your family. We are already more than able to provide everything necessary." (K)

"It's not just about providing them with necessities. I also don't want that they just exist there without having anything meaningful to do. That wouldn't work well in the long run." (E)

 

I know, I could probably just give them a place to sleep and food and they would keep on living, but there's more to leading a fulfilling life than this.
Dad was always proud of our little farm, about the mere fact that we established it with his own hard work.
And mum always supported him, while I helped.
I firmly believe that humans need to challenge themselves in some way or they simply deteriorate from doing nothing at all.

 

"Did you hear that honey? Our daughter is afraid that we might get lazy and fat!" (R)

"Wait! That's not..." (E)

"My, my! It seems she wants to get rid of us." (F)

"No, this is..." (E)

"We are just kidding dear. We know there might be problems. But we could already move very free here. And there is surely something to occupy us in this hive." (F)

"If you wish it and it is for your benefit, I could find assignments for an occupation." (K)

"What?" (E)

"Oh really? This would be such an interesting experience, working in an insect hive." (F)

"Regarding my impressions about your person, I could maybe arrange a place in the nursery. Yet this place is of utmost importance and I need to persist in this case that you perform your role with diligence." (K)

"You mean you would let me look after the little ones?" (F)

"You've acquired this kind of trust. And it might be good to let them get used to humans for the future." (K)

 

Wait!
My mother is going to become a nurse?

 

"For your father, regarding his former occupation the mycelium might be right?" (K)

"Mycelium?" (R)

"This is something like a giant underground field, for these mushrooms. Yet those I've seen looked more like a forest so big were they." (E)

"It sounds interesting." (R)

"I should warn you in advance that the work is rather taxing. However, you aren't required to do more than you want. If we try to cultivate other variants from the surface for variation your knowledge would be beneficial." (K)

"See dear? It's not as if we will just sit lazily on our butts." (F)

"I've never said that! But you might be right. If this works out well then it could be possible that one day other humans follow your example. And I want to buy books. If Toris learns to read he could become a scholar or a librarian." (E)

"See? It's not as if there are no prospects." (F)

"Thank you!" (E)

"Oh my. You don't need to cry." (F)

 

I know.
But I think I'm allowed to be happy.
So this is all it needs for such a troublesome day to take this kind of turn.
I'm glad!