AiE: Welcome To the Swarm [Part 2]

>You rise and recompose yourself before making a lunge at the Changeling Queen, bearing your canines.

>You're more hungry than you are scared.

>You find yourself on the ground again, thrown by that same strange force.

>“So it seems that you're just as hungry as we are!”

>Well that didn't go very well.

 

“You bet your ass I am. Thirsty too.”

 

>You stand up again, rubbing your back.

>A migraine is coming on to match your aching stomach.

>”You're pretty gutsy for a hairless monkey. Not many would attempt to kill me, and not so boldly. You were coming at me like a rabid animal.”

 

“Survival instinct, that fight or flight bullshit or whatever. I was hungry. You looked like an easy meal.”

 

>You noticed that she was nearing the 'too skinny' mark.

>You were hungry.

>She was starving.

>And she had a whole army of those... things... to feed.

>She didn't show it, but she was beginning to lose hope.

>She couldn't show it; her swarm depended on her.

>You never really though you'd ever do anything that mattered in life.

>You certainly didn't think it would be for a bug.

>You were one human being, and you could tell you definitely weren't in Kansas anymore.

>You were a giant who played off as not caring, but you'd stop and help with the little things if asked.

>This wasn't little however.

>This was the life or death of an entire group of beings.

>If you were going to go out, you were going to go out doing something good... even if it meant becoming food.

 

“You need food more than I do. Don't argue; I can tell by looking at you. I'm hungry; you're starving.”

 

>Chrysalis was unsure of how to respond, and you could tell from the look on her face.

 

“I'm not much, but if you think that eating me will help the rest of you, then do it.”

 

>Your voice was certain although you were not.

>Your brain screamed no but your soul told you it was the right thing.

>You had a habit of listening to your heart and soul more than your brain, you sentimental bastard.

>Now Chrysalis was definitely confused.

>You could tell that this wasn't something that happened to her often, if at all.

>A sad smile crept across your lips.

 

“There's one of me and hundreds of you. As far as my knowledge of insects goes, you're not just their ruler... you're their mother. It must be ripping you apart inside, watching them starve, being unable to do anything.”

 

>She doesn't respond.

>Your fear forgotten at the tragedy in front of you, you sigh and shake your head.

>Now, normally hugs weren't your thing, let alone with a giant bug, but she didn't act like a bug.

>She acted almost human.

>Aside from capturing you to eat you that is.

>You approach her and embrace the being's neck in a comforting hug, you big softie you.

>At first she tenses, worried you might follow through on your previous attempt to take a a bite out of her.

>But she can sense emotions you guess.

>After all, she feeds on them.

>There is no reaction, but you can physically feel her becoming healthier, more meat building on her bones.

>You notice those wings are becoming less dull than they were, and her mane was less frizzed.

>You realize it.

>She feeds on love.

>This wasn't romantic love, but more of a comforting love, like you'd share with someone who was depressed, a way to let them know everything would be okay.

>You release her and get a good look.

>She's definitely more vibrant than before.

>Her wings buzz and you shudder at the sound, but try and keep from putting a look of disgust on your face.

 

“Is that what you meant by feeding on emotions?”

 

>She nodded.

>”I've decided you'd be more useful to the swarm alive. Join us, serve me, and we can give you a place to stay out of the hot sun, away from the blazing heat and any other dangers. We don't have much, but we can spare what food we can. We can provide water; there's an underground spring in the nest.”

>That sounds good.

>But there's always a catch.

 

“What do I have to do?”

 

>”It's simple,” she says, her arrogance now proudly on display. “Love us.”

>You cup your hand in your chin and think about this.