With a decisively bold step, I enter the queen's hall, before inconspicuously letting myself slowly fall back behind Temia.

It's like in my memory.
A hall that is so large that it's impossible to see its borders in this darkness.

 

"Shuuuuoooooooohhhhh"

 

Okay, right back to my trauma.

 

"What's that?" (T)

"Oh, I don't know. We are miles below the earth so it can't be the wind, I'm asking myself what could possibly be the source of this sound in the queen's chamber!" (E)

"Fine, got it. Tsk." (T)

 

With increasingly insecure steps we're moving forward until we don't really know anymore if we maybe missed the queen in the dark and are already on the way to the other side of the hall.
A stupid thought how I now realize.

 

"Shuuuuuuuuhhhhhh"

 

At first, I believe to see moving shadows in the darkness until my memory gets the better of me and I realize that the shifting that seems to move the whole space I'm looking at in reality belongs to a greater structure.
Which is the queen, simply being so big that one can mistake her as background.
The moment Temia understands as well she stays quite stunned, mouth agape.
I don't know how to act here.
My relationship with the queen is difficult at best.
While I know that my fate wouldn't have been much better without the Formicea's intervention, which was rather mere chance, it's not like I appreciate the one-sided forced body changes to transform me into something useful for them.
However, I know better than acting up against the thirty-meter giant.

 

"Ehk, hello." (E)

 

Oh, wait.
Could it count as being discourteous not to speak in Formicea?

 

<Skrik!/Hello.> (E)

"Skrukukukuku" (queen)

 

For a moment I don't know how to understand these sounds before realizing that it was just chuckling.
This decreases the felt tension a bit.

 

"Whoosh"

 

Which immediately jumps back to the highest level when she fast lowers down.
The queen's presence is not a bit less imposing than on my first day, eight appendages finding purchase around us, her oval head coming too close to be comfortable before us to a stop.

 

<AH, LITTLE ONE!!! ERYS WAS IT?! THIS MEETING WAS LONG OVERDUE!!!> (queen)

 

Not a single spoken word but the communication I receive still hits me like a shock, sending me almost toppling over.
Temia next to me even gets thrown from her legs, pressing her hands against her reddened head.

 

<Oh, how careless of me. I should have considered adjusting the output.> (queen)

 

I need a moment to understand.

Pheromones.
She speaks purely relying on pheromones.
The intensity is still far too overbearing, but at least not painful anymore.
Temia still seems to have problems recovering from this mental onslaught.

 

<Sk-skiek, sriec!/I... I was told you wanted to see me. Can you tell me why?> (E)

<Oh my! Can't I meet my own daughter when I want to?> (queen)

<Shriieek!/Daughter! What... How would you even get this idea?> (E)

<Oh, if you'd know how much was necessary to create you. How much of what you are comes from me. It's absolutely fascinating how everything mixed. How your very being reformed, taking advantage of a fragile balance during a maturing process. Entropy not ending in a mess, but instead forming pure life. As if it was supposed to be like this in the beginning. Each report about you and your metamorphosis was more enticing than the last.> (queen)

 

She can't do so, but if she would have any facial features she would smile self-contently.

 

<You surveilled me?> (E)

 

I really don't like this idea.
Imagining how she morbidly enjoys herself in her voyeurism of my emotional turmoil.

 

<Did you truly think you wouldn't be surveilled? One of my greatest projects, and a princess to boot.> (queen)

"Uh, I don't want to disturb this family talk but why was I even called here?" (T)

<The human? How intriguing that there are truly so many more. But not now. First, this has to conclude. One thing after the other, you understand?> (queen)

 

Well, even if Temia is a proud noble, the queen basically told her to shut up and wait.
And I guess she isn't going to argue with the looming titan towering far above her head.

 

<Ehk, your majesty...> (E)

<Why don't you call me by name, Erys> (queen)

<Skre- Skriak,/Oh, well. I didn't know you have... I don't know it.> (E)

<It's Uma, my little one. We are family after all.> (queen)

 

Sure... After all.
After all this horror stuff!

 

<Okay, Uma. Why did you do this to me? Ripping what I was away and forcing your imprint on me?> (E)

<Do I need a reason? I am queen! I could say that it was the chance to add new diversity to our species. Or an experiment out of mere curiosity, yet none of this would be the reason. This was always my home, since the time I first bit myself out of my egg and then through my first prey.  Killing from the first moment of my existence. Back then there was no hive, just hunting for survival. And then you came. No aggression, no fighting for survival. It was refreshing, to say the least. And at the same time so deeply off-putting. You could say that made me... sentimental? I wished to change what was in front of me and did so. Oh, and you weren't annoying. > (U)

 

Truly, she only follows her outlandish ideas.
I might have ended up dead would she have been in another mood.
God, what shall I expect from such a whimsical creature?

 

<Ah, so I'm whimsical? Don't try hiding it. I can perceive even the smallest shifts in the pheromones your thoughts cause.> (U)

<I, I don't have a head for this right now. What is now the reason for this audience?> (E)

<I heard there was a stir-up. You clashed with Honiu? Can't you make up? Conflict is detrimental for the swarm.> (U)

<She attacked my mother! My real mother!> (E)

<It seems this is an issue for you.> (U)

<An issue!? She's my family! Those who are more important to me than anyone else! I was told we would be safe here, but this wasn't the case when it mattered!> (E)

 

So much for not acting up. But she hit sore spots.

 

<I understand your reasoning, to a degree. Yet what is your goal? Your wish?> (U)

 

I feel again like when I talked with Liseti.

 

<I at least don't want that she gets out of this unscathed. She harmed me badly and I can hardly recover from the aftermath! Isn't this bad for production? Why should I comply in any way if this is the result?! There has to be some kind of punishment taking place. It's wrong if there are no consequences and she can continue to do as she pleases." (E)

<And what punishment you would wish for that isn't decreasing her productivity? Shall I order to confine her inside her courtyard? This would hardly matter to her?> (U)

 

I get that being grounded wouldn't be too hard for a shut-in.

 

<Does this mean she can do whatever she wants? Repeat her acts? At least slap her that stupid smug attitude out of her pheromones!> (E)

<Ah, physical violence. How classic. Yet do you truly think it would change her ways? Honiu was always such a problematic child. Quiet, but of troublesome mentality.> (U)

 

Probably not but it would certainly make me feel better.

 

<So you're not going to do anything?> (E)

<I may increase her surveillance. I can't have a conflict among princesses. Too much chaos, and loss. It would weaken our position against the other swarms.> (U)

 

Other swarms?
Liseti said something like this.
But I thought the conflict is over.

 

<I can feel your irritation. I know you were informed. Liseti is dilligent on such matters. On the surface, it may seem calm, but other powers are threats, for us as for them. They're just waiting for weakness to exploit. And change can lead to opportunity. In positive as negative ways. What brings us to your little endeavors.> (U)

 

Now it's about the main topic.

 

<Liseti and I are trying to establish diplomatic relationships with the human country above us. Is there anything wrong with this? Are you displeased?> (E)

<Displeased? No, I don't think so. Yet it's without a doubt risky.> (U)

 

At this moment she again directs her attention to Temia.

 

<I've noticed. You understand. No doubt Honiu's doing. Not that I disesteem Liseti, but Honiu uses her time developing her understanding of the very nature of our kind. And Liseti not.> (U)

 

Now she threateningly lowers down to her, so close that Temia might touch her mandibles would she extend her hand.
Which she won't, as she's not suicidal and more occupied with panicking.

 

<Now tell me, little human. What is your purpose? What do you and your kind plan now that such a great threat was found so much closer to you than you'd ever have expected?> (U)

 

I see again how Temia forcefully composes herself.
Steadying her breathing, straightening her posture.
A technique I really should learn from her at times.

 

"Ahem... Well, we were a little shocked, honestly. But if your great majesty has no intention to cause harm to our people there is no reason to be hostile. After all, such a wise being as you won't choose to go to war." (T)

 

This sounds like the absolute opposite of anything I heard from Temia until now.
She's totally in diplomacy mode, flattering as much as necessary.

 

<How troublesome. I cannot understand its communication. Erys, would you be so kind?> (U)

 

Oh, yes.
I cannot expect that the queen, holed up as she is here had time to learn human language.
So I translate everything Temia said word for word, so there's no room for misinterpretation.
Also, Temia would know if I alternate anything, as she can receive pheromones.

 

<War, my little one, is always an appropriate way to end a conflict. A poor one, maybe. But one that solves in a lasting way. I vividly remember the times when my brood's corpses filled the tunnels, plugged them up, for reasons which could've been solved so easily. Yet, on the other hand, it may have been worth it. Not for the trivial things, we quarreled over, but to purge us from such petty beings who would allow our own, OUR CHILDREN, to die for such poor reasons! Yes, maybe this was worth it. So tell me, little human, are you a petty one?> (U)

 

There was a certain spike in her pheromones which I could just interpret as a wink in my direction that I should stop quarreling.
I absolutely shouldn't tell her about things like noble pride or possible discrimination if I don't want those negotiations to end before they even begin.

 

"A-absolutely not. Why would we seek conflict with you?" (T)

 

I continue translating, after recovering my bearing. Without stuttering that is.
That much Uma should have got from Temia's sight alone.

 

<Oh, but human, aren't we already in a conflict? Aren't there reasons to quarrel?> (U)

"I d-don't know what you mean." (T)

<Then tell me, who do you think this place belongs to? The tunnels. The water. The very earth that surrounds us?> (U)

 

Uh, hard question.

 

"Y-you, I guess." (T)

<Then what belongs to your so-called country?> (U)

"Can't we just say that yours is what's under the surface and ours what's above?" (T)

<Like this, everything that's only slightly below it would be rightfully mine, isn't it so?> (U)

 

This would mean that each cellar of every house belongs to the queen.
I can see that some people might find issues with that if suddenly giant insects come and tell them to not ever enter the cellar again.

 

"This won't work. Not even to speak about wells and sewers. We need to find an agreement." (E)

"You know as well as I do that I cannot decide how this kind of border would run. At least you cannot demand that we don't fetch water." (T)

<I am not petty. You can have this much. Such insignificant intrusions I won't punish.> (U)

"Thank you... I guess." (T)

 

I guess this goes rather well. However, there's a certain worry of mine.

 

"What is with mines?" (E)

<Mines?> (U)

"Ehk, humans value certain ores. Because of that they dig for them. Sometimes very deep." (E)

<For what reason would they be valued? They're not edible.> (U)

"They make things like jewelry, tools, but also armor and weapons with it. So it's kinda important for them." (E)

 

She chuckles.

 

<Ah, how intriguing. They move out of their natural environment, to places where they don't belong, where they might die, only to find ways to kill each other more effectively.> (U)

 

This one's a real joker.

 

"Urgh. I need to say that Erys is right. We need those mines. Especially with the war going on we cannot afford to lose our supply." (T)

 

I tend to the queen.

 

"Can we make concessions on that matter?" (E)

<Hmm, the existing ones don't bother me. But I wish to be informed about planned projects. I won't tolerate intrusion into my system.> (U)

"I... will take care of that." (T)

 

That didn't sound too convincing.

 

<So you're agreeing to respect our realm and maintain peace?> (U)

 

Sounds a bit plump.
Would anyone say now, "No, actually we're planning to start a war!"

 

"Certainly. There's no intention on our side to turn hostile." (T)

<If you say so.> (U)

 

She buys this!!?

 

<What is wrong, Erys? Your pheromones scream at me. Isn't this the outcome you wished for?> (U)

 

Temia told you simply what was appropriate to say in this situation, without any guarantees! How is this solved?

 

<Isn't this a bit rash? We haven't the slightest assurance for peace> (E)

 

I don't want a shallow peace that each side can break at any moment, but a properly negotiated one.

 

<Didn't she just say so?> (U)

 

Why is she fine with this?
From what I've gathered she isn't stupid, but right now she behaves like a naive child who was told that the rainbow man comes when she behaves well and gives her sweet treats.
She isn't the slightest bit distrusting.
It's almost as if... she doesn't know lies!

Pheromones!

Formicea always convey their intentions openly through their scent.
So naturally lies are an unknown for them.

 

"Erys, what are you doing there!?" (T)

<Creak, skrik, scrioh, skrak!/It's more complicated than this. And you know that, lady Lorata. There are so many different human factions that I haven't the slightest overview of them. While there are certainly some who'd vote for a friendly approach, as the lord of Osari, there will ever so often the complete opposite be the case. Peace has to be earned and it will be a hard piece of work to make it happen in a lasting way, yet ultimately be worth it.> (Erys)

<Kukukuku, Scruuuuoooohhh/Ah, truly delightful. How you're addressing this so full of fervor. But I understand. This human has spoken about an idealized version. Not the actual state of affairs. What do you have to say about this, little human?> (U)

 

The queen's gaze is piercing and intimidating.
But together with the fact that she's big enough to simply squash us with a single finger of her claw, it makes the pressure overwhelming.

 

"I-I would never dare to mislead your majesty! Our country is far more stable than Erys makes it look. If we can convince the palace and the high nobles there should be no problems to establish positive relations." (T)

<Hm. It's true, I cannot read your intentions. This kind of negotiation is so much more complicated than I'm used to. So much to consider.> (U)

Temia doesn't dare to say anything else as everything could agitate the titanic queen.

<I'll believe you, for now, little human. Your actions will show your intentions. But know that my caution won't waver. I'll make sure that my swarm prevails, no matter the cost. And be it the eradication of another sentient species.> (U)

 

Temia is clearly at a disadvantage.
Already standing upright in front of the queen is an exertion while her pheromones are bringing you down.

 

<And Erys, it was a pleasure to see you again, my little one. I'm truly glad that you were able to live in. You are so promising in your new role. I can't wait to see how much brood you will produce. Now you can leave and have fun, my child.> (U)

 

I fight the strong urge to correct her, knowing that nothing good would come from this.
Yet she probably already knows from my pheromones and doesn't react.
So, because I want to get away here and am kinda glad it's over, I do a curtsy and turn around to move with Temia to the exit.

 

<Oh, and I think I have a solution regarding Honiu. One I'm sure you will appreciate.> (U)

<Okay, what is it?> (E)

<Not yet. Preparations. You will know.> (U)

 

Oh, if this doesn't sound ominous.
Before anything can take a turn for the worse we leave.