Alice

I saw him there, inspecting two swirling masses of energy. Both of them drinking the ambient energies Robert was giving to them. He appeared like a spectral version of himself. His inner voice inside my mind, investigating what I saw. This felt extremely intimate, and I would rather have him stop now. Moving towards him, he seemed to sense my presence.

Robert turned towards me with shock, as he was still finely dressed despite being made of energy. He looked me up and down, |"My word, you are able to manifest much more readily than myself. Quite fascinating. I don't suppose you might be inclined towards letting me finish my job?"| He gave me a sheepish smile.

Looking at him, I placed a hand on his shoulder. I felt his emotions, and some of the memories he had in life. He quickly pulled away shuddering. |"Please leave... I do not feel good about this."|

Robert seemed to consider something, before letting out a small sigh. |"My utmost apologies miss, but I have a job to do. A compromise perhaps? I am more than willing to allow your first class seat. That is to say, I will allow you to watch as I perform my duties. Certainly you could benefit from witnessing my work. Are you okay with this?"|

I felt him attempting to force his thoughts and will upon me. As if he were truly attempting to manipulate me. It was so crude and small, I almost mistook him as one of my own. I laughed, while holding my sides. Robert seemed to ball his fists, making a small barrier. I allowed a few of my hive's voices to test the strength of such. The barrier cracked on the second voice, before shattering on the third. Smiling at him, as he fell backwards, I took a step forward. |"I will watch as you do your job."| The three voices went back to where they were before. |"If you want to join us, I will also not stop you. Though I wish to have a good relationship with your king."|

Robert blinked, trembling as he looked up to me. He willed himself back to a standing position, seeming rather scared. I simply did not understand why, given that we were playing earlier. He nodded, |"As you wish miss. Please observe closely, and let me know if you feel uncomfortable. I'll leave right away if that is the case."|

Clapping my hands together, I smiled back at him. |"I am happy we were able to come to an agreement on this matter. Your words are so slippery outside. Is there a way for you to help me understand them?"| Robert seemed to be getting ready to leave, but I had a few voices move to stop him. He must be getting lost, his job wasn't completed yet. |"Pretty please? I find that Richard is more likely to help me when I say those words. Though I do not understand why. Surely a Robert can help me?"|

Robert swallowed hard at this, and nodded. |"Quite! Here are some memories miss. I copied them from what I understand, so you do not need to take them from myself. You are a rather talented mind mage, to direct so many at once. Are all these stars be a voice perhaps?"| He held out a small ball of light towards me, no longer trying to leave.

Taking the ball, I felt the understanding washing over me. A lifetime of dialect washing over me, before being distributed to the others for me to go through later. |"I am unfamiliar with the term mage, but those stars are my hive. I thank you, for your help."| The hive set about breaking apart the complex thoughts into simpler ones. While they could not hear the words, I could understand them and use them where I needed to. The ball was overly complicated.

Robert seemed to finally relax, |"I see, then please merely watch. I shall put in a good word with the others at your kindness."| Turning back to the two swirling masses of energy, he seemed to channel more into them. The humming growing steadily louder. I watched as Robert continued his job, filling the two to the brim. Finally as his energy seemed to spill over, I could see small lines between the two. |"That means they have compatibility miss. It is likely the two talents are working together to make something better in a sense. In some cases talents even fuse to make something greater, or are wholly absorbed by the greater one."|

Nodding, I felt something like a tug. Gazing upon the swirling masses of energy, I heard words in what they hummed. One spoke first, "Symbiosis." The other following, "Devourer." There was no mistaking that these were my talents. The Symbiosis took on a light green tone in color. While the Devourer seemed to change to a deep gold hue. |"What do the colors mean?"|

Robert smiled, while looking them over. |"It's a sort of measure for how strong they are. The lighter it is, the weaker it is. While the darker and deeper the color the stronger it is. Symbiosis is not really a great talent for you since it means you can deal with parasites and the like in a helpful way. Potentially even killing them if needed. While Devourer is rather strong. You can likely grow stronger through eating other creatures, but I wholly advise against touching people, or Richards. Whatever you seek to call them really. It is strange though; the strands of energy between them suggest that you might be able to give some abilities to those in your hive."|

Focusing on the symbiosis talent, I could feel small strands starting to reach out to older voices of the hive. I needed to see if such were the case at a later time. It was likely that I would have the time, while waiting on Richard to come back, but I needed to stay wary of the Oswald. Turning to the Robert, I smiled at him. |"Thank you for your help. I'd prefer that you do not tell Richard about this. What I mean, is that you should try to make him feel better. I do not like him seeming sad, so perhaps making the talents sound less useful might be possible?"|

Robert seemed to think for a moment, then nodded while swallowing hard. |"Right you are miss, I'll make certain that all the Richards are not worried about your talents. I do have to tell the king. Will that be okay?"|

Nodding, I smiled back at him. |"Thank you very much Robert."|

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Richard Adams

It took a total of two minutes, for everything to be done. During that time, Robert held his hands on Mimi's forehead and the nape of her neck. Mimi seemed to unfurl her antenna to touch Robert's forehead in response to this. Making myself useful, I picked up the fabric that Robert dropped, so he could cover his face with it again. Finally Robert seemed to gasp, while pulling back and blinking.

He coughed into his hand, holding the other out for his handkerchief. His hands were shaking a little, but it made sense since my session only lasted maybe five seconds if that. Handing the fabric back to the man, he quickly clasped it over his face before taking a deep breath. "I will admit, that I had some difficulty with her talents. I feel it might be, because the miss is a monster. Though I can assure you that she has two. One is simply eating to become stronger, while the other is what makes her hive mind function."

I nodded in response, that made sense. All those dread wasps back at the main cave should have needed some kind of talent to stay under control. "I see, how strong are her talents? If you don't mind me asking?"

Mimi pulled me into a hug, "He said one was weak, the other was decent. It's only because I'm a monster that they are useful to me." I managed to see her ears were low, as if she were a bit disappointed herself. Hugging her back seemed to make her feel better.

"Seems we both can't win when it comes to luck right? Don't worry Mimi, you don't need talents to be amazing. I was just hoping, I could have a little boost. Anyway, could you let go of me? I need to go out and get the stuff for your hive." Mimi released me, as I turned to Robert. "Thank you for all that you have done. I now it isn't much, but this should keep the gnomes happy right?"

Robert smiled at this, and started to laugh. Though there was aggressive banging on the door. "You made me wade through shit! I'm going to make sure you and that monster suffer! You piece of shiiiiiiitttttt!" The fat lady sang as she fell through the trap door again.

Robert adjusted his suit, "It seems that I might need to go for now. She probably brought guards with her this time. I'll help you talk through them, before going our seperate ways good sir."

Smiling at the fact that the fat bitch fell for the same thing twice, I pushed myself up. "Mimi, you should head back to your hive for now. I'll come back with all kinds of stuff for it." Mimi smilled back at me, before going back up the stairs. Turning with Robert towards the door, we walked outside to find two guards outside the door. Both seemed to be snickering just a little.

Robert stepped ahead of me, "Gentlemen! I trust you know where we are currently?" The two nodded, "Good! Then that saves us time. I need to head back to the main office to report with the utmost haste. It makes no sense to have you fine men standing here doing nothing. A man such as myself might likely be attacked without a group."

The first guard nodded again, "Yeah, good enough for me Robert. I don't want to deal with that new oracle any more today."

The second nodded with a small sigh, "Yep, she screams like a banshee. If she asks, we took Richard in and roughed him up a bit."

Robert removed his handkerchief to reveal a small smile. "Very well gents. Let's be on our way." He turned towards me at the last second, "Don't forget what I said about not going to the farm. The shop with the honey is run by a wonderful lady, whose name escapes me at this moment. It is on Potter street. Do you need directions before I go?"

Putting my hands up, "I know where the street is, but never knew anyone that sold honey there. Is it the flower shop?"

"Right next to it, my good man. The bees help keep the flowers growing healthy and all that."

"You mean the dingy shop without a sign?"

"Yes sir, the same." Robert pulled away with a small flourish. "She should be delighted to have a new customer. A warning though, the lady may be nice, but she adores bugs of all manner. I suggest not getting her started on such topics, unless you wish to spend an hour in such discussion. May I ask how you know of Potter street?"

"The flower shop is right across from Emery's store. I forget what the bastard called it though." Smiling at Robert, "Emery is good at getting random things now and then. Don't tell him I sent you though." I could only imagine the look on his face when a couple guards might show up later. It's what he gets for selling me defective repellent.

Robert rubbed his chin in thought, "I see, there might be a gem hidden in it. A pawn shop if I recall, the man inside is rather grotesque is he not."

"Yep, the same. He's a rat faced bastard, but you seem like someone that can deal with people well."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Wonderful, I shall check out the establishment when I find myself needing something. Have a good day, sir Richard." Robert turned away with the guards following after him.

"You as well Robert!" I waved at him, before heading to Emery's myself. I could pick up the hive stuff after I was done with him.

It only took about ten minutes to walk to Potter street. There were a few people moving about, but typically everyone avoided a street so close to the slums. This street was also under the protection of Mal's Harper spiders, effectively making it safer than most other places, besides the orphanage. Looking up, I could see the large spiders skittering from building to building. Each spider about the size of a cat, with long sharp legs.

I could see a few skittering into this or that alley, no doubt biting someone that decided to try something in Mal's territory. Ignoring such, I walked straight for Emery's shop. A boarded up building, with a stone front. The front itself held the times for business, as well as a few spiders painted on the edges to show it was protected. It was a decently sized building that Emery himself lived in, while selling his wares. It wasn't much of a secret that he kept the good stuff hidden, and acted as a fence.

Walking through the door, a chime came from the bell above. Emery came from the backroom, wearing a mask to hide the top half of his face. A long nose came off the mask itself to hide his half muzzle a little. Emery was literally a rat faced bastard with beady black eyes, whiskers growing off his half muzzle, and a killer under bite that showed his buck teeth. He wore a dark leather cloak that hid all the scars he got before his talent awakened.

Even without Mal's spiders protecting him, he would probably be fine. Few people knew what his talent was, but he actually told me, while drunk one day. He was able to revive after death, and was a masochist by nature. He actually enjoyed being called names, but I felt deep down he was just broken. He probably only paid for protection to stop his stuff from being stolen.

"Greetings Richard, I am happy to welcome you back into my store, once more." Emery almost sang out his words like a poet.

"Emery! You rat faced bastard! You unbelievable piece of shit! You sold me some defective repellent and almost got me killed!" I smiled while saying this, while walking towards the counter. More of a greeting, considering what he did to me.

Emery pulled back a little, "Almost got you killed did I? W-would you like some pie?" He quickly gestured to the back, where he probably had something cooking.

"No you piece of shit, I want a refund. You said it would last thirty days, and I barely made it to fourteen! A fiend chased me, and almost killed me because it ran out!" Thankfully there was no one else in the store.

"Did you use to much? Perhaps that was your crutch?" Emery pulled out the coins regardless. "Do you have proof? You doof?"

Pulling up my shirt, to show him my scars. He seemed shocked before shuddering with a smile. "There is your proof. I want a full refund!" I leaned closer, letting my shirt fall. "I also told a rich guy, and two guards about this being a place to find stuff. Keep your guard up."

Emery shuddered while looking at the wound with a small wheeze. He'd put the copper back, before handing me a silver. More than enough to buy the hive supplies. "Impressive indeed, to do such a deed." I took the silver from his glove covered hand. "I see your badge, might I ask? Do you need a bandage, or must I do a task?"

"I'm good Emery, and I found a monster that I brought into the city. She saved my life, so I'll be going to buy some hive supplies for her to be comfortable. If you find someone selling meat for cheap. Let me know, since she likes eating just about anything. The fresher the better, and other monsters are fine. I would also like it, if you kept an ear out for me. I might need a place to hide her, if the old man wants her to move out. Plus I don't feel comfortable with the guards keeping tabs on her. Especially since the captain already attacked her."

Emery nodded, "Price to be discussed, when we are not pressed. To find a home, beneath the dome?"

Shaking my head, "I'd prefer not to go underground, if I can help it. I don't want her fighting in the arena unless she wants it herself. I also don't want to risk the gangs under us trying to recruit her. If possible, I'd prefer to have her with the guards as an exterminator. It'll pay less, but after she's properly registered, she can eat what she kills. At least, I think that's what she might like the most, plus there is less risk."

Emery seemed to twitch a whisper, "Understood my friend, until the end."

Smiling at him, I turned around to walk away. I heard someone coming from the back, and looking I found it to be a slave girl. She brought fresh meat pie from the oven to the counter. Raising a brow, I looked at Emery.

"Someone to save, a slave." He gestured to her, a pale woman covered in a leather cloak to hide her assets. She looked pretty, but lacked elfish ears, or a beard for that matter. Probably a full human, still she probably cost quite a bit.

The slave set the pie on the counter, she turned back to me to speak softly. "Pleased to meet you, master Emery bought me while you were away. He has told me much about you." She lowered herself to do a small, if unsteady curtsy. Her legs held scars from being shackled. Though Emery was kinder than the slavers. I could see he was also taking care of her, as she had signs of growing healthy from being malnourished before.

"Yeah, pleasure is mine. Emery buys slaves from time to time. He never told me what happens to them, but he's actually a decent guy despite how I came in yelling at him."

This seemed to calm her down a bit, "Um... please do not touch me, my talent is pain to those that touch."

I rolled my eyes, and walked out. I can at least say I helped him calm her down later. Marching straight to the building with the honey. I entered through the door without any markings. Upon stepping inside, I saw the place was practically crawling with all kinds of different bugs that were staying near this plant or another. The place itself had shelves stacked along the walls with plants on the top of the shelves, and hanging from the ceiling. It wasn't a very nice place to shop, but there was a rather nice looking woman sipping tea from a table in the middle of it all.

One look in her eyes, and I could tell she was crazy. Twin pigtails falling behind her, as she wore too much makeup under her eyes, with a dot of lipstick on her lips. She even had a star painted under one eye. Fake fairy wings were strapped to her back, as she sat there with padded leather clothes that were mismatched and stitched together from other sets. Her eyes were a rare yellow, much like her golden hair. Though those same eyes were also hollow, as if she stared right past me.

Looking down, I made certain not to step on any of her bugs as I approached. "Hey, I'm here to buy some stuff for a hive?"

This seemed to snap her out of whatever trance she was in. As light seemed to flicker in her eyes. "Ah yes, forgive mine rudeness. I rarely get visitors, and many males are less polite than I was. What kind of hive are you looking to make? May I ask why? I can sell you a queen if you listen to how to take care of it properly."

I squinted at her, "You're not a native here are you? Your words are a little off, with an accent."

She gave me a disturbed smile in response, before pulling some of the hair away from her ear. I saw it was cut and scarred, something that often happened to elves. "I do not talk about mine past. I simply sell honey, and feed mister Mal's spiders. All people are disgusting, but bugs are simple. Simple and nice. Never taking more than they need. Yes, good little bugs that crawl and work for mine self."

Swallowing hard, I nodded. "I see, well I might have someone you may want to meet one day. Someone that controls monster bugs. She needs the proper stuff to get her hive going."

"Ah, the monster wasps. Yes, the spiders have told mine self that others moved in. Smart, and learn quickly." She took a sip from her empty tea cup.

"I see... are there any suggestions you might have for what I should buy then? I have a silver I can spend on it." I felt rather nervous considering I really couldn't tell a single thing going through her mind.

"I shall give you the supplies for free, if you promise to bring mine self the hive's queen. I wish to speak to her. Surely she might understand mine self, in a way others cannot."

Nodding, I let out a small sigh. "Thank you. If she wants to see you, she will. Though it might be a while, she needs to settle in and everything."

The strange elf nodded in turn, "I accept this, please bring her by within a year. I am patient, but also eager to hear from her. My name is Beatrice by the way."

"Richard. So... how do we do this? Where do I get the supplies?" As if in response to this, a small wooden crate dropped from the ceiling onto the floor next to me. I jumped back before looking at her, "Is... this it?"

She nodded slowly, not even looking at me or the box. "It is, I was preparing something for our new neighbors you merely saved mine self a trip. Please do not thank mine self. I await your return with your queen. We are done here."

Picking up the decently sized crate, I quickly turned and walked out. It was a heavy thing, that I struggled to carry, but I pressed onwards. The sky was starting to grow darker as the sun was starting to set. I needed to get started on dinner after giving Mimi her supplies. Hopefully the two could bond a little after getting something good in their stomachs.

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  An Overview of Harper spiders -by Oswald Manfred

Commonly found in the slums of the kingdom. These spiders go by many different names. From Harpoon legs, to gentleman spiders. It is safe to say, that if anyone is talking about spiders. It has to be this kind. They are not monsters, but rather large spiders that came from Dark Fell, during it's fall. I myself can attest to them being smarter than most realize, especially common thugs.

These spiders are typically 25 cm in length (10 inches), with a height of 10 cm (4 inches). Their width and height vary a lot depending on their legs, which is typically 20 cm (8 inches) in length for each leg. These legs are rather thin save for when they connect at the center. Both male and female Harper spiders sport spines along the base of their legs. With males having thicker sturdier spines, as opposed to the females. Unlike most spider races, the males are typically the larger of the two, with the females being roughly half their size. There are exceptions in the case of the queen Harper, which is a third bigger than the males.

All male Harper spiders have several eyes, with a large black bump on the tops of their heads. These bumps are similar in appearance to bowler hats. The males also sport bristles on their fangs, and mandibles in a fashion resembling a gentleman's mustache. The males also produce a very strong silk that can restrain a grown man's fist for up to five minutes. The silk is remarkably sticky, but quickly degrades over time. Meaning that all long standing webs are made by the females. The male Harper spiders typically 'brawl' with each other. Often after bumping into one another, or otherwise not seeing each other in after a few days. The 'victor' is usually whoever can land eight successive hits without being struck in return. These brawls do not harm either, and they will stop if their spines catch on each other.

All female Harper spiders have eight eyes. The smaller females have white bumps on their heads, with silky fur around the base, giving it the appearance of a mob cap. The queen will have no such fur, and will instead sport a red bump with three spines sharp spines on the top. The common female produces a strong silky web, and is responsible for creating walkways and traps for capturing food. While the males happily chase down and bite prey into submission. The females can instead employ simple, if cunning traps. It has been observed that the alley ways around queens will have wheels, and other objects set up to a trip wire to take out larger intruders.

The Queen Harper spiders seem to be the de facto leaders of any nest. Often directing where the nest will be built. What traps to employ, and where to send the males. They appear to enjoy shiny objects, as well as tiny little cups for their talons to grab onto. It has been observed that if Harpers are to acquire enough small utensils and shiny trinkets. They will move into a distillery or bar to remove all unwanted pests while interlocking legs and doing a scuttle dance. The females will join, with shifts that play their strings to the tune of a harp. Hence the name.

After they have 'spent' all their trinkets, they will return back to their nests to gather again. It should be noted that the Harper spiders will leave their eggs in a distillery or a bar after a week. Because of this, many bars and distilleries are pest free, and happily take care of Harpers that come their way. Once a Harper hatches, it will be surrounded by it's brothers and sisters. They will find their way into new nests, or the nests of their parents without issue.

Which brings me to the strangest observations about these creatures. They seem to understand what children are, as well as the mentally disabled. They have been observed to attack in the defense of any child or disable being chased by an adult. This is regardless of whether the adult is a guard, a theif, a noble, and so on. If the child is observed as being afraid and running from an adult. The nest will actively guide the child towards the queen. While the rest of the hive attacks the adults as if they were intruders.

According to Entomancers, the Harpers will play a song to the child if they are crying. This song has been interpreted by multiple Entomancers that have not spoken to each other. The song translates to, "Bo'chi is here, and his children shall save you. Young or lost in one's mind. Bo'chi shall be kind to all."

  -Signed: Oswald Manfred (Aide of the King of Eclipse)

Note: After this text was sent to the king, Harper spiders were allowed to stay within the kingdom and grow without issue.