Requiem.
After setting down the table and using some rather clever unfolding to bring out the legs to hold it upright, he rights the table and sets down the tea. What follows is another round of easy quiet as the process of making fresh tea unfolds before us. Some of the cups being surprisingly large, ^One?^ and with our nod towards the second largest, set it aside for us and takes a smaller, less ornate cup for himself.
The aroma of the tea when the hot water washes over the leaves is delightful and to reciprocate the work, we’ve done some shifting of the hives around that allow us to reach into our back and retrieve a small sectioned off portion of the excess honeycomb. At its reveal he places an empty saucer next to the other with our tea, and then a third with the tiniest of cups with a mere pinch of tea and gentle dollop of water once he notices another guest has arrived alongside the sweet slab.
Lifting our cup with one tender bite and then performing a careful shuffle to have a stable grip to hold the tea saucer underneath, we take a moderate tasting of the tea in time with our host. After the first courteous sip of tea, we use our tail to portion some honey while the queen also takes a glob to add to her own. While we mix the honey with a delicate swirl of the teacup, we slide the honeycomb across the table for-
“{Deepest apologies, Elder. It only now occurs that we do not know your preferred address, and worse still, we have failed to properly introduce ourselves. We are Requiem. In a past life we were known as Singing Mountain, though our new self has quite a way to go to live up to our prior moniker,}” his smile returning at our admission, but before he can offer his reply, another offers her own inauguration, “^We are to be known as Queen Darling, first of Our line. It is Our pleasure to make your formal acquaintance, Elder.^”
From his seated position, the far more serious bow he gives to our companion is perfectly respectful, part of us wonders at the flavor of indulgence being made, “(Your Majesty. Your words honor me greatly. This one is known as Yojimbo, though should you prefer, Elder is also a gracious address for one such as me.)” The bow continues through his speech, and we are curious as to its purpose, but Darling seems to understand its meaning, “^You may rise, Elder Yojimbo. This is not a courtly meeting; we should be companionable amongst each other as my chauffeur is with me.^”
Hmm. We suppose, technically she is correct, “{If formalities are to be laid to rest, we suppose the first question we truly have for Elder Yojimbo revolves around that we are have conversation at all. We’ve been led to believe that communities of sacred beasts cannot hear the words of monsters such as ourselves. We know that Queen Darling has undertaken the conversion, but for now we have abstained. Would you contribute to our lacking information?}”
“(It is a general truth that monster speech can be suppressed, and for many of the ordinary this is the default, Great Requiem. You’ve not been led astray on that point. But there are occasions and people that are in place to be able to engage in… trade… of many sorts with those unbound by certain scriptures. It is not so rare a practice to find those for whom speech is speech, at least not closer to the relative safety of cities. The protection of the public shifts from ignorance towards investigation and regulation. Wandering the wilds is more likely to initiate combat, especially with a physique like yours- begging pardon Great Requiem, than courteous travel along roads.)”
Our main concern addressed, we sit together at the table, us strange collection of fellows, and enjoy good tea and pleasant mundane conversations. Discussing simple matters of economics and trade, some notions about local weather which would ordinarily be a nothing topic but with a traveler like ourselves, weather can be a fascinating series of topics and gathering stories. Feeling comfortable about asking of the beautiful night sky, their Dream Canvas, and the contrasting bland light of the Mirror, as they call it.
We speak and barter a bit about the honey. The flavor has a cool, almost minty effect and a strange aftertaste inspiring the feel of hunger of the tongue, instead of stomach. A good pairing with some drinks or meals, but not a true dessert, or at least not a particularly fulfilling one on its own. We learn that Darling has been managing her brood size carefully, the new children enduring longer than the mundane would manage, and yet finding the process and instincts to recycle those that do perish into the structure of the brood comb.
“^Food is a far simpler affair of late. Even just the initial change and migration allowed for significant longevity of the hive. If I were to actually keep pace with my base instincts based on resources available, we would have flooded our living space within the first weeks. I have thus chosen to seriously calm our growth and to abstain from a flood situation. Though I must admit, Elder Yojimbo, you have some nice fields and pleasant lands. Perhaps assigning a daughter for this new place, should you and yours be amenable, is something to consider.^”
The man takes his time to appraise the idea as other lesser topics come and go, before he brings it up once more, “(Queen Darling, I have given the matter much thought, and while I should not make such a decision unilaterally, I can imagine some considerations that might arise, questions that myself and others would want answered before such an agreement would be made.
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“(If you’ll forgive my impertinence, I can’t help but notice that while your majesty has attained wisdom, that none other of your brood seems to have the same. Do you know if your successor would be as yourself, or as the others we can see out here?)”
At his question the queen sends out an attendant to retrieve something from the hive, “^A noteworthy concern and a reasonable reaction to concerns for overpopulation and invasive expansion. Allow me to first ameliorate a possible misconception. The plentiful resources I referred to resulted directly from Requiem’s own power and acquisitions. Already my scouts report that this new place, while rich in its own flavors and nutrients, require significantly more refinement in order to provide our kind with appropriate sustenance.^”
Three deliveries are brought forth from the hive as the queen addresses each in turn, “^Firstly, we have a small section of our deep honeycomb. Located within the structure of the apiary itself, partially formed of the Singing Mountain’s very flesh. It provides an adaptive, beyond perfect incubation spot for our brood and the source for our richest honey. They have been instrumental in ushering our hive into these grander orders of existence.
“^Next, there is a brief sample of an experiment incorporating a splinter section of comb made purely from locally sourced supplies back in the woods we traversed through beyond your fields. As you can see, the color and opacity of both the honey and even the comb itself are far less potent than the main hive. Still enough supplies to provide viability, but extra effort must be made to properly saturate a location and structure to approach similar results. Comparatively, this honey has a weaker bite and chill than proper Mountain honey, but it holds promise all the same.
“^Lastly, I have asked for my daughter to be brought before us. She is still relatively young and immature, but much like myself, she too was born with the potential for true independence. However, until such a point of stepping into her own self, she is beholden to the directives of a true Queen. As for the timelines for when that may be, on that we must unfortunately reveal our ignorance. I came into Self with no Queen providing me direction or path beyond Requiem’s grace, so I cannot provide a developmental guide for a Princess.^”
Yojimbo nods along to Darling’s presentation, likely thinking through some scenarios and logistics, “(Thank you for your candor, Queen Darling. The added clarity about the attunement process is especially significant. While the more significant of the protests would likely be directed towards that position, there are actually already several measures that we use for other agriculture and various husbandry crafts that could aid a counter argument.
“(While I wouldn’t go so far as to say the matter is solved, if you do wish to pursue a branch colony alongside our hamlet, I find myself willing to advocate for your family’s inclusion,)” with a sweep of his arm to indicate the fields, “(Already my connection with the land whispers of the deeper communion that your people are providing with a simple visitation. The initial opposition from a new arcana upon the palette are more easily rejected with such ample demonstrations already taking place.
“(While there will always be puritan artists that refuse to update their paints, part of becoming a master is learning to wield the knife of the palette to create the various mixtures that bring forth the best vision you can upon the canvas,)” as he finishes the last of his tea, Yojimbo turns to us, “(I am glad to have been the one to meet you, Great Requiem. I wasn’t even supposed to be in this quiet place, but I found myself wanting to visit some of the younglings over here.)”
He sighs, “(I fear that your concerns over how you likely anticipated your reception, are more accurate than our welcome may lead you to assume. Some measure of decorum and at least some expectation of etiquette should be present upon the roads. But without a recognized heraldry, token, or official writ, you are far more likely to encounter deep suspicion if not outright hostility. Sadly, this will be most especially from those without senses enough to recognize the danger such disrespect and further actions can place them in.)”
We drink the last of our cup and set it down as well, “{Which when improperly dealt with just leads to escalation after misunderstandings. We can well imagine. We have no true comfort to offer you, Elder Yojimbo, as so much as we would prefer the path of non-violence, that is not our primary motivation. We. Shall. Not. Be bound again. Not by duty, nor compassion, nor even mercy, and certainly not by others. If a fight is brought to us unbidden and without recourse, we will finish it. Honorable Elder.}”
We cut off the menacing echo that latched onto our song during our declaration and shake off the air of violence that rose within us, “{If your offer of visitation still stands, we should quite enjoy a tree to rest under. We never really understood your kind’s fascination with walls. Our perspectives know they can serve a purpose, but you are such a collaborative species, and yet you use that unity to make barriers to others. It is strange to us.}”
The small talk and discussions of trade over for now, Yojimbo collects the used dishes and sets them aside, “(We humans are perhaps most united in our isolation and fear. The Path of Em, of Tele, the connection they can foster, the ruin they can bring with the wrong minds. Many of us crave unity and to be understood, but the price, the risk seems too great for some, and our history tells us the stories again and again that we can be led astray, and quite easily too.
“(This is why some seek strength and power. To build that unity in themselves, or to bulwark themselves against the risk of trusting others. Life is different for the weak, and weakness can come in all forms and from many sources. Is a man weak of character because the man himself is weak, or was it taught to him by those he trusted, or by those with power over him, or has he just never even really thought to see, to learn, to seek?)”
Having finished the slow, methodical pace of clearing the table, Yojimbo returns the nod that Darling gives him with a short bow, “(Also, yes. My hospitality is still open to you, Great Requiem. It would honor my family if my nephew’s tree could serve as shade and rest for our guest,)” he directs our attention to a fruit bearing tree a stone’s toss from the house. A smile of memory, love and pain holds him for a moment, “(He was never content with a single type of fruit, his favorite was variety, and his work cultivating stable blends earned him a chance to advance. Perhaps the echo of his first steps will aid you on your path, traveler.)”