Richard Adams

Despite what I said to Mimi earlier, I woke up feeling like I had the best sleep in my life. I also woke up to find that the arm I controlled, was exactly how it should be. No tingling from the blood not carrying enough air. My bones didn't rattle, or creak from ligaments getting torn. I was finally able to control it in my sleep. I smiled, before seeing Mimi resting in the corner. She let me have her bed, over waking her up.

I sat up, finding the blanket she put over while I slept. Really, she was too good for me. The sound of my feet hitting the floor, caused her ears to flick. She opened an eye, before getting up herself. I watched as she stretched, letting out a light chirp that could be called a yawn. "The reports say it is early morning above ground, and the crystals are starting to brighten. You wanted to tell me something last night?"

I blinked the sleep from my eyes, "Yeah, about your stingers. Both will probably put people to sleep. The red striped one is safe, and will just knock people out. The other is a deadly poison that makes them sleep, before killing certain parts of the brain. We don't know how it works outright, but we can break it down and put it back together with Alchemy."

She lowered her head in thought, "I see, I'll give it a few field tests after I drop you and others off for combat training."

I rubbed my eyes, to get the last bit of sleep out of them. "Combat training? Nice, you found something we could fight against and clear out for you?"

She shook her head, "No, I started a cult. You'll be training with Lizardmen, in their village. I'll have a Hive establish a nest in their tribe, heal their people, and let them train you in how they fight. As well as anyone else."

I shook my head, "You started a cult?" I had trouble even processing that. "How?"

Scix flew right in front of me, before landing on my nose marching his wings. He stopped after a second, before flying back to Mimi. "Doesn't matter, just don't do anything disrespectful to their idols, and don't touch them. Robert will tell them how to properly worship me, which will essentially be feeding my Hive leftovers, and things they capture alive. You won't be able to talk to them, but Robert can."

I blinked again, before nodding. "Alright, how strong do I need to get for you to take me with you?"

Mimi tilted her head, sizing me up. "If you can take on five of them by yourself, I'll let you come. You can't kill them, and you can't maim them. You have to force them to yield either with your magic, or through combat."

I nodded, "What if I kept your deadly venom in my arm? I should be able to keep it from reacting after I mix it up and can control it. I can sleep without losing control of my arm."

Mimi considered the idea for a moment, before shaking her head. "That just makes you a walking stinger, and if something eats your arm it might die. I will allow you to practice moving with the venom in your arm, but that's it. You need to be strong enough to create your own weapons or tools that I have not already given you. I'll compromise, if you can manage to take off one of my arms you can join me."

I gritted my teeth, before looking away. "I won't hurt you Mimi, so please don't say that is a compromise. It is a cruel and terrible thing to say." I didn't even want to think about punching her, let alone taking an arm from her.

I felt Mimi pull me into a hug, "Forgive me, I thought I should put the option out there. I use my lost limbs to help make the Hive walls stronger, so I considered it a benefit. I did not take into account how such a notion might affect your emotions. Thank you for not wanting to hurt me Richard."

I looked down, before hugging her back. "Why would you every think I was okay with hurting you?"

She gently ran her fingers through my hair. I looked up to meet her eyes. "Because you already did. It was painful when you left me there alone. To watch you spend those last two months in the state you were in. I could do nothing to help you, besides pulling you back if you went too far. I have spent far longer, suffering because I couldn't help you, than actually spending time with you Richard. It hurt me."

I felt goosebumps, as the thought came crashing down on me. All that time I spent practicing my magic, and how I basically ignored her in my grief. I didn't really consider how she felt. I thought it was easy for her, but the pinpricks of pain I felt through the ring suggested otherwise. She couldn't let me feel her emotions because they were too strong. I thought it was fine, that everything was fine. I didn't think I could hurt her... "Fuck..." I couldn't say anything as she let me go. She didn't pull away from my hug, but was merely looking down at me.

"Will you forgive me for hurting you? I was afraid to tell you, because you might go back to how you were. You seem to be doing better now." She gave me a sad smile, and I had to look away. I wanted to get stronger to help her, and I abandoned her to do that. All those days of waking up coughing, and crying washing back over me. All those times she forced me to eat, while I just sat there feeling like shit.

I teared up a little, feeling an all too familiar lump in my throat. My mind becoming jumbled, as she hugged me again. "Please don't go back to that, I won't bring it up again." I could feel the anxiety she had towards this, how she really was worried I might go back to that.

I balled my fists, shaking my head, "I won't do that to you again Mimi. Fuck, I'm so sorry that happened." I felt my own anger starting to build up. The impotence I had, at being unable to change what I did to her. She shouldn't be asking me for forgiveness, I should be on my knees begging her for it. I tried to pull away, so I could ask her properly, but she held me close.

"Please say it... say that you forgive me Richard." She sounded sad, her emotions becoming muted as she kept them from reaching me now. She might not have noticed before, so that was what leaked out. I still had a long way to go, and I needed to make this right somehow, some way.

I nodded, hugging her as tight as I could. "Mimi, I forgive you. There is nothing to forgive you for though. What you said was fair, and I deserved it. I don't even know how to ask for your forgiveness. I'm so sorry for making you take care of me for so long. Fuck, I'm sorry for trying to force you to take me with you, even now. Please, just tell me what to do."

She stroked my head softly, fully hugging me again. "As you said Richard, there is nothing to forgive. I understand that family should help each other at their lowest points. Just please, do not do that to me again. I was afraid."

I nodded, "I promise. I promise to make it up to you somehow. If you need me to do anything, or want to ask anything, just tell me. I don't know if I'll hurt you again, but I promise it won't be on purpose. There is still so much we don't know or understand about each other yet. You're too good for me Mimi, and I love you." I barely managed to keep my voice from shaking, as a few tears ran down my face. If I cried here, it would hurt her more.

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Mimi

I kept Richard close to me, so he couldn't see my smile. The biggest issue with him potentially going back, was averted. Now he would be more docile, and willing to follow my words. All so I could keep him safe until Spring. I never blamed him for his grief or lack of strength. I understood it, and felt I would be beyond help if my own Hive was destroyed. I couldn't blame him, if the equivalent event to me would hold the same result or worse. Oswald was everything to Richard, just as my Hive was everything to me.

I stroked his hair, feeling his emotions as he settled on determination again. I knew he would do his best not fall back into that stupor. He would listen to me, and trust my judgement when I felt ready to accept him as an escort. It really wouldn't be an issue, if I didn't need him to try making children come Spring. Those brief feelings I felt at the ball for his actions, all but a distant memory. I hardly needed him now that the King acknowledged me as a person. His scent made him valuable to the Hive however.

So I'll lie to him, and keep him as safe as I can, while letting him do what he wants. It would be better if he decided that fighting was too hard, and gave up. I would encourage him however, in case he became strong enough to escort me on his own. Just like anyone else in my Hive, I would give him all the tools to succeed that I could manage. That was how we worked, and he was no different. Richard only rose to the top, because of his scent, so he got extra attention and care put in him. Just like Beru playing with Drake to help him love the Hive from the bottom of his heart as he grows older.

Richard was recovering from my words, and I pulled back to let him see my worried face. "You love me?" It was nice to hear those words, but they felt hollow. Especially given that he said them to try and make me feel better. He had loved Oswald, and I felt that from their time together while he wore the ring. He understood what it was, but the love he held for me was still budding. While it did grow from his appreciation towards what I have already done towards him, he had his doubts. He wasn't sure what to do with me, or if I could even accept him yet. I looked forward to how those doubts would turn into other better emotions.

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Richard nodded, looking into my eyes. He wiped his face, "I'd do anything for you, so please..."

I smiled a little more, hugging him again. "I love you too Richard. My Hive adores you for bringing us here. We might have died in the Winter without you. You saved us, so please don't feel bad anymore. If there is anything I want you to do, that is cook for us please. We love your food."

I felt his doubts and anxiety wash away a bit more, turning into relief and satisfaction. His cooking was good, and he loved doing it. His pride flared a little, as we broke away from each other. "I'll go make you the best damn breakfast you've had yet!" It really was wonderful to be bonded to him through the ring and feel what he did. He helped me understand the emotions behind his kind so much better, and helped me get farther than without it.

I followed after to watch him cook, smiling warmly as he did so. Slowly as the smell of his cooking filled the air, the others started to trickle down to join us. It was a brief meeting to explain what was happening today. To formally introduce Richard to the others, as he impressed them with his cooking. Robert explained the events going on, confirming the accuracy of reports from my giants. I lied about only officers understanding people. After all, it would scare those they were protecting, if they knew otherwise. So of course Argus was special, just like Scix and the rest. It just fit so wonderfully with preconceived notions.

Keeping people happy, and making them feel special was the best way to control them. Robert is happy to be here, so he doesn't talk about needing to run away with Eris and their unborn child. Fear made him more likely to make mistakes, and anxiety reflected in his actions made him look weak. Now his self confidence was building, because I let down my guard. I told him things that bothered me, and valued his opinion just like with Brian. We ate at the same table, they would tell me stories of their actions while overlooking how they might have felt. They painted the best pictures, and I played into their image as a kind person that just happened to be a monster.

By the end, I had four individuals that wanted to train. The Alchemist was coming along, to see what resources he could get, as well as being an on site person to keep Richard alive if anything happened. He wasn't a part of the Hive, but was protected as other members of the gang were. After all, he wanted to get his hands on my samples, and was willing to do anything to work with Oswald's apprentice. He knew where he stood, so I didn't have to keep track of so many things.

Food was prepared for the village, to be cooked by Richard so he could continue to practice his alchemy. After all, he had to work off his 'rust' as he called it. I personally didn't notice anything different from when we first met. We had a few water crystals in buckets, that would not overfill. My escort was over at 1500 since 1k would stay to establish a hive at the village with the others. The other 500 would stay with me as I continued exploring the Underground.

With so much growth happening, I would need to hunt for my Hive once again. This would keep our impact on the food market down. If only people weren't so against eating anything with sentience. The Lizardman village would have been a good source of food for them, once their usefulness was over. Still, I knew the group would bond with the Lizardmen, and they were going to be useful for other things later. Their Elder no doubt saw my plans, which was why he was eagerly jumping up and down at the border when we arrived. I was led to the heart of their village where they had two sick children. A single stinger, with some food and water was enough to have them up and moving around again.

The Elder was more than happy, since my Hive would protect their eggs from the bugs, as they have been losing clutches to the pests lately. While the ward was decent, it could only last a week before expiring as the Elder explained. We talked in private, in the room with a crude statue of me carved on an alter. His dreams made things easier to explain, and he agreed without any hesitation to training those I brought along.

With all of that out of the way, I said my goodbyes to the others. The Lizardmen prostrated themselves before me in reverence. I stared at them, giving Robert his chance to clarify what exactly I wanted with his talent. After that was cleared up, they waved with the others as I left with my fist raised towards the ceiling.

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Richard Adams

Mimi led us to the village, where there were at least fifty lizardmen. From what I recalled, the females should be more slender, with more colorful frills. I couldn't really tell them apart. None of them had any tits, and everything below the waist was covered with dingy rags. They parted for Mimi, watching her every move. They appeared to be in awe, and afraid of her at the same time. Though what threw me off was that all their weapons were made from bones tied together, and bits of rock. The metal they had, all but worn away through years, if not generations, of service. Many of them had scars on their scales, marked by discoloration.

They spoke in grunts, hisses, and growls. I couldn't understand a single word they were saying. Robert stepped forward, waving at them. Then to my amazement he spoke their language fluently. This made them excited, as they thumped their chests at Robert. Robert thumped his chest as well, speaking to them easily. He handed them the buckets and the food, then gestured at me. Feeling called out, I waved at them. One approached me, hissing and grunting and I looked at Robert.

Robert tapped the one in front of me, and spoke to it again. The lizardman backed off, as Robert started talking to me. "That was their cook, and they are curious if you can make food fit for Mimi. He wants to cook with you when they start preparing the feast."

"Oh? Alright, what's the feast about?" I looked at the chef lizardman, with an 'x' on his chest. I decided to call him X because of that.

Robert laughed a little, "It's because they worship boss, and are welcoming us into the tribe. I made it clear I'm not going to be training with the four of you. I will act as a translator, and generally make sure everything is fine. They agreed to eat after the lights dim, so until then have fun training."

I looked around, "Which one is training me?"

Robert pointed at X, clapping them on the shoulder. I wasn't sure what they were, but they did have a colorful frill. I felt it was safe to say they were female. "Their chef will fight with you. Both in and out of the kitchen." X grunted before slamming her tail on the ground. "She looks forward to seeing what you can do."

I nodded, as weapons were distributed. The ones not staying with us, all grabbed the real weapons, and went to hunt more than likely. I was left with a shield, and wooden sword. X carried two wooden daggers. Mimi came back and left with the rest of her escort, leaving us here with all the supplies. After she was out of sight, the training started.

We went at it for hours, my body covered in bruises as X didn't hold a single thing back. The other three that trained, weren't in better shape. I wasn't used to a sword and shield combo, but I had to learn it before using daggers. I don't know why that was their custom, but it was. I saw a few lizard children running around. Out of the whole village, there were only two. I kind of understood why given where we were, and how a small swarm of bugs would come now and then.

Mimi's giants would burn them before they got too close, but I could see the little ones were afraid of the swarms. Their scales were softer, and easier to squish unlike the hard scales of the older ones. I stepped into their kitchen with X leading the way. She tore apart the food we brought, expertly carving meat from the bone. I had to say that calling the tent where they had a single large pot a kitchen, was generous.

I carved the meat next to her, as she tossed the bones she cut free into a pile to be used later. What really bothered me, was how the pot was a nasty mix of bugs, small bones, and various meats. I left to find Robert, and asked him if it was okay to clean their pot. Robert translated, and told me it was fine if we made it an offering to Mimi's Hive before cleaning it.

We dumped the contents in the stone shed, right on the alter. Which then had Mimi's workers on it. After a good scrub, I went back to helping X cook. Which seemed to offend her a little since I was throwing away history to them. I just sighed a little before putting out their fire, and restarting it with my own to better control it. By this point X just sat and watched me cook. I came into her kitchen, and started messing with everything. She really didn't like it, but left me alone while I did it right.

An hour later, and the stew was done. I let X get the first bite, and I saw her eyes go wide. She wiped the drool from the back of her mouth for the tenth time. She took another bite, followed by more. I used the mitts that were brought to carry it outside, letting Robert know that food was ready. We all had bowls in our hands while the Lizardmen hurried to eat theirs after it cooled. They ate more and more, until there was hardly any left in the pot.

Robert didn't even have to tell me, since I could see it in their eyes. They were still hungry, and wanted more. I made another batch, then a third before they were satisfied. Then it was back to more training. The hunters came back from a successful hunt, carrying a Fukuma. We trained more, cooked more, then finally as night came we rested. The six of us that came, all slept together in the same stone building with a small amount of bedding. It wasn't comfortable, but we managed. I had trouble staying asleep, since I was worried about Mimi.

I woke up in the middle of the night, walking outside. I could see the giants on patrol around the village, with some of the other Lizardmen. It didn't really get dark in the Underground, even in the dead-zone. It was just dim enough for shadows to be blend easily enough. Almost like a bright night when the moon was full. I heard movement behind me, and saw Lewis getting up. "What are you up to this late at night, my boy?" He quietly walked out of the building to stand beside me.

I stretched a little myself, "I was having some trouble sleeping, how about you? I thought you wanted to test more samples and stuff."

Lewis smiled, "I do, but I need someone to give them to me first. Until then, I'll be studying lizardman scales, and learning any rituals they might have."

I tilted my head, "You study rituals?

He slowly nodded, "They don't stop working, unless something crazy has happened. It's better to study up on rituals that are easy to perform, or at least know how they work. You'd be surprised how many curses actually use rituals."

"Hold up, you're telling me that rituals and curses are the same thing?" I looked him over.

Lewis stroked his beard, "No, my boy. It's just that most curses can have a ritual performed to make it last. Instead of having to recast the curse and feed it daily, or even weekly. You can just get a totem, trinket, or alter and bind it to that."

I looked at again, "Really? Why do you know all this?"

Lewis stopped stroking his beard, "When you've been around as long as me, you pick things up. It's the same idea as to why Hags can cast curses and hexes on others. It's why you need to find out where their shrines are, and any drawings. I take it you haven't read the monster manual?"

I rubbed the back of my head, "I'm sorry, I was only with him for two years. I didn't get the time to read it all."

"Ah, fret not my boy. Time is something that all youth has copious amounts of. How do you feel?" He gestured at my bruises.

I laughed a bit, "Sore all over, and tired. Still I can't just sit around. Mind if I study with you until I'm ready to pass out?"

Lewis nodded, "Not a problem. We can't leave the village, but there is plenty to work with. I brought the field equipment."

I nodded and helped him get set up, learning more about the basics still. It was going to be a nice night.