Formicea

 

After that experience, I hurry back to my room.
I would love to forget what I just saw and avert my mind.

Yet, there is nothing planned for today, so I'm at a loss on how to spend my time.
A distraction might be nice.
Maybe a spinster and I could tailor me some clothes.
At least it would keep me occupied

 

"Kyeska, do you thienk I could obtain some itEms from humaens?" (E)

 

At least I can train my human speech.

 

"I'm sorry to inform you that the tunnels leading in the town won't be finished before tomorrow." (K)

 

First, unfair!
Second, seriously?!
They already progressed this far?
I really fear for mankind.

 

"Rieght, but ief wee want to geet somethieng we at leeast need someething to gieve in exchaeenge. Do wee haeve something lieke thies?" (E)

 

Also, it's not like I could just send a worker with a purse for my errands.

 

"Mostly our storages only consists of our food supply and the binding agent used for steadying the structures. For the rest only the corpses of creatures used as fertilizer." (K)

 

Okay, I really need to try harder.
My pride takes harm from being beaten by an insect in human speech.

 

"Maybee we can obtaein some? For example pElts from animals on thEe surfaece have some value. We could hunt theem. Or monstEr parts. From thee surface. But, thies might bee a problem ief we have that much preesence there. If we just would have..." (E)

 

I have still problems controlling my voice at each "e" I speak.
They always drag a little too long.

 

"Your first suggestions would be possible. But what was the last idea?" (K)

"It iez the center of human trade. Gold and sielver. Maybe copper too. Those are mateerials for coins. Metals in the earth. All kiends of ores are valuable in human trade." (E)

"Such a thing! They really give good wares and even food for something that is only obstructing the building of tunnels?" (S)

"For theem they are valuable. And maybe we could theen get some aniemals. Like sheeep or cows. Thies might not be the best environmEnt to raeise them. But if wee propErly care for theem iet should bee fine." (E)

"Whaat are thoose?" (S)

"Crrk, a sheeep is a dociele animal. It grows a speecieal fur you can cut off without harm. And a cow can gieve milk. A biet like the nEctar. I hope iet still tastes the saeme." (E)

"Youuu meeean youu want to aecquieereee such beeeings to use theem lieke thieez?" (S)

 

Suki is at least trying really hard.

 

"It would bee nice I thienk. This would meean to gEt sustaienable resources." (E)

"This isn't wrong my princess. To secure the supplye is a way of long-termed planning and shows foresight." (K)

 

Hah! There was a slip!
She isn't perfect.

 

"But this is no ideeal environment. ThEy are used to the surfaece and maybe won't stay healthye here. Could we maybe have a bit more light?" (E)

"I surely can request some more light-stones. For a princess this kind of wish will be fulfilled." (K)

 

The shiny stones around here?
Yes, enough of them should make this place look nice.
And they could even be used as wares if there is a surplus.

 

"And wee would need to feeed them. Grass and other plants. Just thee mushrooms could be unhEalthy." (E)

"This is all possible my princess." (K)

 

<Screeak, crik, scree!/What a strange way of communication. What are you doing there?> (L)

 

This princess!
What is she doing here?
Right, she wanted to visit me.
But this soon?
And I spoke like a human.
What is if she is displeased?
Can she kill me?

 

<Skrik!/This, this, this is...> (E)

<Allow me to speak on your behalf, my princess?> (K)

 

Kyska is on my side and as she is fairly eloquent I nod.

 

<My princess spoke just now in human words. As she is used to them this kind of communication has an easing effect on her, especially as the loss of it was straining on her mind, so doing this is beneficial for her mentality.> (K)

<I informed myself about humans since our meeting. There is not much to be found but apparently, there are quite some intriguing points to them. It might be advantageous to develop abilities of communication. This might become of use.> (L)

 

Alright, it seems I'm not going to get killed.
But why is she now approaching me?

 

<Princess Erys was it? Allow me to introduce myself once more. I'm princess Liseti, one of the now three princesses this largest hive in our system houses. I'm glad to come to know you.> (L)

 

She doesn't seem to be hostile but the way she handles herself is intimidating.
The way she moves as if she would own this place.

 

<Y-yes, sorry if I do something rude. I'm not used to this. Please forgive me.> (E)

<No need to act so humble. We are both princesses. Your contribution to the swarm speaks for itself. I just wanted to learn more about you. Can I take a seat?> (L)

<S-sure.> (E)

 

She settles on the stool opposite me.

 

<With all, I've gathered in my research humans appear to be terribly foreign. Likewise, that must be the same am I right?> (L)

 

It wouldn't bring much good to lie here.

 

<Yes i-it is true. Alone the appearance of the swarm's members is frightening for me.> (E)

<My, my! That you can still be this productive under those distressing circumstances. What was the hardest, if you would tell me?> (L)

<I think... that my body was changed. I am afraid that I become what I not am and foremost... the laying of eggs. This is terrible.> (E)

<Really? Is it so different? I thought you weren't this far away when you could be changed into a princess.> (L)

<It is! Humans in the first place don't lay eggs. Making life is something... special. And they are a completely different species and their way of thinking is different. It feels like everything is upside down for me.> (E)

<You are surely going through something, but know that you are valued here. That you under such circumstances are still like this and perform so well is remarkable. Your contribution is obvious. You know, as it comes clear that you aren't the least bit prepared to be a princess, I think I will take you.> (L)

<T-t-t-take me?> (E)

 

Is she going to drag me with her and abduct me?

 

<Yes. You are far too good of a target to let you just stay unattended, so I take responsibility for you. And as you cannot know the important things someone needs to teach you. That will also be me. There are so many things you should be aware of.> (L)

<Aware?> (E)

<Yes. I should prepare some lessons and other things for you. It might be best to do this in my district. I can prepare everything there. It is quite a distance to the upper segments, but by flying we will only need a short amount of time to arrive.> (L)

"Cric?" (E)

<Princess Liseti. Princess Erys cannot fly yet. Her wings only formed recently and she does not acquire the knowledge naturally.> (K)

<Even this! Then we have no choice but to do it here. So flight training must commence. And self-defense lessons. The way she acts, she is obviously not used to violence. Does she at least know the basics?> (L)

 

Defending myself?
She wants me to fight?

 

<This... isn't necessary. She is properly protected.> (K)

<She doesn't even know this?! You withheld such a thing from her?> (L)

<Princess Erys tends to... become distressed when being confronted with differences to her body before the metamorphosis.> (K)

<And so you as a nurse decided on her behalf. Are you aware that you are making use of her lack of knowledge? You are violating your borders, nurse. You should be reprimanded for such a thing.> (L)

<No please! Kyska was always nice and considerate. Don't harm her, please!> (E)

<If this is your wish. Yet it is not acceptable that you don't even know how to use your body for defense. This is a risk I cannot permit.> (L)

<I... I know that I can sting things with... "that thing".> (E)

 

I point at the ovipositor.

 

<You are aware how precious "this thing" is? For defense, this is only a last mean. What you have to use are the weapons in your appendages.> (L)

 

What!?

 

<Absolutely clueless it seems. Say, was there anything you witnessed regarding your appendages during your metamorphosis?> (L)

<My, my wrist started to hurt and burn and are rather tender since then, knees and ankles too.> (E)

 

I rub these parts, as they feel still a bit sensitive, especially if I think about them.

 

<And there they are. You did grow some tools for defense there but did not activate them yet. This is going to change now. We are heading out.> (L)

<Wh-whaaa...> (E)

 

She grabs me at my wrist and without delay drags me out on this courtyard-like area in front of the room.
There she places me in the middle.

 

<It is a bit cramped here, but that is up to you to change. It was just built recently it seems. So, activate your weapons!> (L)

<What? I don't know what you are even talking about!> (E)

<I'm talking about this.> (L)

 

She holds her right upper claw to me and I can detect a slit-like hole in the middle.
Then she points it away from me and somehow makes a jerking movement with it.
Next, some kind of broadsword rushes out.
It's as wide as the slit and looks sturdy, colored in this dark-bronze carapace tone.

 

<This is the defense tool. I have them in each of my appendages! A princess uses them when despite the escort anything dangerous comes close and threatens her, instead of just giving up on life. In some cases, there are additional features. My blades for example are poisoned with a venom that makes the target experience terror before it succumbs.> (L)

 

She presents them to me and demonstrates a slash with such force that I am sure there won't be any chance to survive a direct hit.

 

<And now you.> (L)

 

She says while somehow retracting the blade with another jolt.

 

<Wait! I didn't say... This goes too fast! I don't...> (E)

<Crrrk!/Good then like this.> (L)

 

She snatches my right arm and bends it in a way that she is positioned between me and my hand so that I'm unable to pull it back.

 

<Let's see where the spot is.> (L)

 

While she keeps me with three appendages in check her fourth is freely strobing my arm, applying pressure at different points, which are getting increasingly uncomfortable.

 

<I think I'm coming closer. Right, here it is.> (L)

 

She suddenly clamps down at my wrist at a real tender spot.
The feeling is unbearable and promptly...

Something's rushing out, piercing my hand!

 

"ScreEEH!" (E)

 

I averted my gaze, but after a while, I feel a tock at my forehead.

 

<Now look or shall we stay like this indefinitely?> (L)

<Don't wanna!> (E)

 

I don't want to see weapons protruding out of my body.

 

<Do it! It doesn't even look bad.> (L)

 

I know that I can't keep this up forever and take a careful glance.

 

<This is...> (E)

<Apparently a sword. One-sided. Quite long. Making full use of the space your lower appendage provides. Rather thin and delicate, yet it looks sharp. The only question is what this shine on it is.> (L)

<Isn't this just because it just came out of my body?!> (E)

 

I panic a little, but swords really shouldn't stick out of hands.

 

<No, that's not it. Only one way to know.> (L)

 

She points at a worker.

 

<Come here!> (L)

 

The worker is immediately complying and comes close.
She aims my still grabbed arm in its direction.

 

<Slice your claw with that blade!> (L)

<What? You couldn't mean this! It won't just...> (E)

 

The worker without hesitation throws its arm at the blade.

 

"Skcchh"

 

"Screeaaak!" (poor worker)

 

<Ah! So no poison. I wondered about the reaction, but apparently, it's acid. A nasty one judging the state of this claw. Rather rare. Go and let tend it.> (L)

 

The worker leaves the courtyard.

 

<Why did you do this to the poor thing?> (E)

<Because workers are common and I had no better way to find out what it causes. If it would have been poison we could just like this check what kind of reaction it would cause on the target. For the preservation of your life, this was a considerate way to get insight. There are some very... exotic reactions. Yet now I would like to know how strong it is.> (L)

 

She bends my arm in the direction of the ground.

 

"Skcchh"

 

As soon the tip makes contact with the earth it begins.
The blade is cutting through nearly undisrupted.

 

<This is really strong. To think you had it the whole time in your arm. This must have hurt when it adjusted inside. Impressive how far your body transformed, that it can even withstand something like this.> (L)

 

Finally, she lets go of my hand.
I just stare at the weapon which is emerging out of me.

 

<Acid?> (E)

 

I touch the blade with the tips of my fingers of my other hand, completely dazed.

 

"Skcchh"

 

<Princess!!!> (K)

 

Kyska shouts and runs to me.
I awake out of my stupor and hurriedly rip my fingers away there, realizing what I have just done.
Kyska directly takes my hand and looks at the fingers.
They are fine.
Not the slightest bit burned.

 

<Interesting. You are immune to your own acid. Otherwise, this would've been bad. Yet this is too strong to train with them. They would easily cut through my swords.> (L)

<Crikik!/Couldn't you just use training gear?> (E)

 

I whispered, yet unfortunately, she heard me.
Or smelled?
Is there any point to whisper in front of these insects?

 

<What is "training gear"?> (L)

 

She approaches, coming very close and I become stunned, unable to get a word out at this.

 

<Princess Liseti, Princess Erys informed me that humans have the custom to use foreign objects to make up for their inability to adjust their bodies. Like this, they use their claws to grab things they use as tools. It seems my princess just suggested you could use such a foreign object with comparable features to use as a replacement.> (K)

<A fascinating concept. I'm intrigued. If you would use this on the workers it might work well. So soon a contribution like this. This earns my full support.> (L)

 

And we are again at the possibility to equip an army.

 

<You are really a favorable entity.> (L)

 

And now she strokes my hair.
Am I some kind of pet to her?

 

<You should retract it now. Just bend your claw backward in a swift movement.> (L)

 

I do as she says not wanting to see that thing any longer.
Instantly the blade draws back in and a fluid squirms out of the hole.

 

"Splotch"

 

This is startling me again.

 

<That is just cleansing liquid to ensure no dirt accumulates inside.> (L)

 

I look at the hole and am a bit sad about the not hurting slit in the middle of my hand.

 

<You mentioned other appendages, yet it is up to you to find out about these. Next, we will train to fly. This place might be a bit narrow yet it should suffice. And a restriction of the height should be right for starters. So we will begin now. Workers! Scatter around for emergency assistance!> (L)

"Eehk?" (E)

 

She wants me to lift off just like that?

 

<Princess! Do you really think this is right? Princess Erys has no experience and should be led slowly to the topic.> (K)

<Again! I will teach her personally! Do you imply there is one with greater proficiency than me?> (L)

<No, I wasn't! She just isn't adapting very fast. Please keep this in mind.> (K)

<And you don't argue against a princess' decision.> (L)

 

After she finished scolding Kyska she, unfortunately, directs her attention back at me.

 

<So, let's get started. I would prefer it if you might take off those hindering assets.> (L)

 

She speaks about my clothes!

 

<What are you waiting for? Get them off.> (L)

<Princess, if you would allow me to speak. Princess Erys is feeling uneasy without them. It seems humans tend to cover themselves constantly and like this being exposed is a stressful state for her.> (K)

<This seems bothersome. Is there any way to convince you?> (L)

 

I am a little scared of her, but she seems to be willing to compromise.
Should I at least try to make concessions?

 

<Could... Could I at least wear the second layer?> (E)

 

I have underwear and some kind of shirt that leaves the back free, brought by Kyska in addition to the dress.
This might be possible.

 

<Fine, as long it dims the traction.> (L)

 

I am going to take off the gown, which should be a bit cumbersome for flight, as poor my imagination on this matter is.
Undressing in front of so many is making me uneasy but here are only those insects, who don't care the slightest.
Yet suddenly this princess is staring intently at me.

 

<I-is something wrong?> (E)

<I thought you had none, but there are two more appendages! Right there!> (L)

"IEEEHK!" (E)

 

She touched my chest!

 

<They feel strange. Soft. As if...> (L)

 

She glides her claw in and presses at my left boob!

 

<There is something in it!> (L)

 

She clamps down!

 

"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH!!!" (E)

 

I scream at this and the guardians and workers are getting agitated.
Unable to decide what to do, since the being which caused this was another princess.
Any other creature would probably now get mutilated.

 

<What a reaction. That must be very sensitive there. But this isn't the most interesting.> (L)

<Pl­-please don't do that.> (E)

 

I teary plea at her.

 

<Fine, that was maybe a bit much, but look.> (L)

 

She presents me the offensive claw and there is something orange smearing on it.

 

<What shall that be?> (E)

<I don't know, it came out there. Yet this scent. I ask myself...> (L)

 

She points at my breast.
Did this stuff really come out there?
Yet, much more disturbs me what she does next.
She lifts the used claw to her mouth, which exposes some kind of tube-like tongue.

And sucks it!?

 

<Princess Liseti! You shouldn't!> (K)

<Silence! I knew this smell was familiar. Nectar. But not quite the same. This is many times more potent. And stimulating.> (L)

 

She, she means I'm producing the insect equivalent of milk?
I-impossible!

 

<That, that can't be. I can't produce milk! Human mothers can give milk when they get a child to feed but I... I don't have anything to do with this!> (E)

<But princess. You aren't human. Furthermore, aren't you a mother? You already laid one hundred-four eggs.> (K)

 

She is right.

I did.

I did!!

 

I tremble uncontrolled.

 

<I don't know about human brood feeding, but this should surely not be used like this.> (L)

<Could you teach us, princess?> (K)

<Fine, this is something you should know too, for your attendance. This substance has the same properties as nectar, yet it is far too strong. A single drop might be enough to keep you going for a considerable amount of time. Feeding something young with this will surely overwhelm its system. This is more like a performance drug. Or for emergency treatment. It seems princess Erys does produce and stores it in these sacs of hers. She can release it through stimulation or keep it for herself as some kind of long time storage. When this is full, she might live several months solely relying on the storage. This is an especially favorable trait. Imagine, she could on her own lay eggs and tend them till maturity, only relying on her stored resources.> (L)

<This sounds fantastic.> (S)

 

I tremble and cry silent tears.

 

<What is with her?> (L)

<Like princess Erys already mentioned, she does have problems accepting changes on her body. This seems like such a case.> (K)

<In this state there is no way to let her fly!> (L)

<Maybe we should postpone it?> (K)

<There is no way around it seems. I will return at the next interval then.> (L)

 

My two nurses support me from below my arms and help me back inside.

 

<Why does this all happen to me? I just want to be normal and always... It rips more and more away from me! I can barely recognize myself!> (E)

<Everything is fine, my princess. You are wonderful as you are.> (S)

<Everyone wants to turn me into something different! I don't want! I am no brood mother! I am no insect! This isn't me! Why am I forced to lose myself?> (E)

<You aren't losing yourself, princess.> (K)

<I am!! I was a human and now I don't even know what I am! I don't know anything about me!> (E)

<Still, you are you. That your body changed mustn't mean anything. The person you were before mustn't be lost. Your role isn't your only defining feature. You are the princess I want to serve. So please calm down.> (K)

 

We are back inside and Kyska takes me carefully in all of her arms.
I quiver and sob inside her embrace but ultimately become quiet.

And sleep.