Chrysalis

A big day! An exciting day! The warehouse complex the Colony has been housed in is absolutely buzzing with activity. My siblings are working like industrious… ants, I suppose. As to be expected. Everything is being unpacked and readied, subjected to last minute inspections and quality controls. It doesn't take long for the head of the column to be prepared, and finally I am free to emerge from my warehouse and take my place.

It's not that I need to be at the front for my own sake, but for whatever reason, that's where they insist I go. Me and my guards, of course, because they haven't so much as taken a toilet break in two days.

Remarkable stamina. Where are they keeping it? I won't ask.

[Enid! Coming along to see the big event?] I ask, spotting the old woman riding in a litter carried between two ants.

She looks absolutely disgusted to be receiving such treatment, but there's no way they were going to let her walk. It's almost hilarious to see just how much she resents being doted on in this way. Yessssss, suffer through the indulgence, old woman! We will ensure you enjoy a long and comfortable retirement, no matter the cost!

Gweheheheh.

And with that, the procession is on its way, with more and more ants falling in behind.

The roads in the Silver City are wide and spacious, easily enough room for us to march toward our destination. At various points, guards are stationed to help guide the flow of traffic around us, emphasising just what a well-run and organised place this really is. It's my second time walking through the city, and once again, I'm struck by the beauty of the place. Every building is coated in that lustrous, almost ethereal silver metal, but there is a surprising amount of green everywhere. Almost every building, whether it's a shop front or a residence, has some form of hanging garden, or row of blooming pots, groaning with flowers and greenery.

Along the side of the streets, there are tall trees rising, offering shade and a sweet scent that fills the air. Whoever they hired to design this place really earned their pay is all I'm trying to say. I mean, dang. Place is nice.

Then I lay a thousand lenses upon the building we're hosting our trade event in and my impression only goes up. Clearly an event space of some kind, it's a massive dome which is completely open beneath, held up by gorgeous, gorgeous pillars. Each one of the gleaming metal pillars is sculpted as a different person, and I'm sure every one of them is some important figure to the Atreum empire. Stunningly lifelike, I can only hope that Michaelangelant is made to see these. Then that damn ant can see some real art and suffer the pain of being made to see someone else do it better!

At the very least, appreciate that they aren't all the same person! Variety is the spice of life!

The area immediately around the dome is occupied with an elegant garden, replete with ponds and a trickling stream that runs all the way around. Bridges and steps lead up the floor of the Dome, which we ascend, and then take in the view of the surrounding city.

We're going to have to beautify our nests, seriously. I refuse to lose to these humans this badly, dammit. I'm going to institute a beautification committee the second we get back.

"Eldest, I think there's a platform in the middle that the Eran wants you to stand on."

"Seriously? They want me posed on a platform looking shiny for everyone to admire?"

"I don't think she mentioned anything about shininess or admiration, but she definitely said something about a platform. Ah, yes, I can see it over there."

Be that way. Yes, now that we get closer, I can see it as well. It's not super tall or anything, probably only a few feet. Resigned to my fate, I head on over and flop down on it.

[How do you like it,] Enid snipes as she's put down beside me. [Being treated as useless?]

[Enid, what do you think I could even do around here? Help set up the stalls? Look at the size of my mandibles.]

I flex them for emphasis.

[What use am I for something like this? None at all. The Colony wants me to stand around and look impressive. I can handle that. Now you, on the other hand, you are truly useless.]

[I'm not here to help anyway,] she sniffs, [I'm here sightseeing and enjoying retirement.]

[Could have fooled me. You look like you want to get up and run a stall, get some haggling in.]

[That's not work, that's leisure for me.]

[I knew it!]

As Enid and I bicker back and forth good-naturedly, the stalls begin to take shape around us. Eran is a constant presence, along with the brathian inner circle. She's sourced all sorts of fancy stuff to make our market presentation look more impressive, and I have to say, it does seem to be doing the trick. As things start to take shape, I have to admit it all looks very classy, very tasteful. We're really going all out here in the Silver City, hoping to make a good impression, and I'm sure that we will. I doubt anything we have to offer will be close to the highest quality available in this place, but there's no way they can beat our prices.

Gweheheheh.

With a few hours to go, everything is put together with remarkable speed and efficiency. Honestly, it's fun to watch. I'm not one of the crafters in the Colony, and honestly, I'm never going to be, but I'm glad to see those ants who decided they really wanted to specialise in flowerpot making or carpet weaving get their chance to shine and perform an invaluable service for the family. I can practically see them swelling with pride.

Before long, the customers will arrive, and it'll be show time. This is a one day event, so we have to make a good first impression.

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