Everything is a little hazy.

My body isn't responding properly and something is fiddling with my head and face.

Just when I become somewhat clear again I start to regret it and wish I would never have regained my consciousness.

I wake up to the greatest horror one could imagine.

"Screelksh..." (E)

I would scream more thoroughly, but the reason why I can't do so is the same which induced me to scream in the first place.

My mouth is covered and it stirs in my throat.

If I would just be gagged this wouldn't be half as bad.

I am completely through, unable to process this, while the past events already put a burden on my mental state.

But despite this terrible state of mine, there is one thought which comes clear, as a reaction of my very being revolting against what transpires here.

KYSKA!! PULL YOUR TONGUE OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!

As she becomes aware that I am awake she gladly moves her mouth away from mine while her tongue, which is disturbingly far longer than I ever thought, dislodges with an audible "slutsh"-sound from deep within my throat.

Staring at her with wide-open eyes I don't even know what to ask her.

In the end, it just amounts to:

(E)

(K)

Frantic I strobe my mouth and throat, on the out-, and inside, and sputter at Kyska what comes to my mind.

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

So I was just exhausted.

However...

(E)

(K)

I'm choking for completely different reasons!

(E)

(E)

I shudder.

(K)

What does necessary mean?!

After calming down I first have to assess the situation.

(E)

(K)

(E)

I mean, I never checked once on the people I've brought here and even the two on my courtyard I kinda neglected.

Furthermore, the last I saw of Temia was how she was close to getting executed because of some lesé majesté against me.

It would be really bad if something were to happen.

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

I had no idea that it could even be moved because it looked as if it's fixed to the ground.

I really don't like this thing, but grudgingly I have to admit that it was slightly easier than the usual bending down on the ground.

Still, I wouldn't want it where I eat.

(E)

Kyska leaves to take care of the tasks I gave her.

I should do the same.

Foremost visiting my family to show them that I'm fine.

It's not far and thanks to Kyska I'm not hungry.

As much I would prefer it to be.

I guess they didn't visit to not wake me up, so I could sleep soundly.

Kyska is devoted to her job and there is no reason to think she would neglect me.

Yet I would have liked it so that there would have someone to keep Kyska from doing "that".

Urgh, gross.

But then there's my mum, who has some weird fascination for the insects going for her.

She might even have given her okay if it helps me to recover.

No idea and I won't inquire.

"Hello? Are you there?" (E)

(F)

Mum comes directly rushed, while dad is still the calm and composed type.

Even if it gets now a little strange since he cannot understand what she says, but still kinda knows how to read her.

I continue speaking human to help him a little to stay involved and participate.

"Yes. Apparently I was just a little exhausted." (E)

I look at expressions of disagreement.

"Or very, very exhausted. But it's all better now." (E)

(F)

(E)

The only positive thing about speaking in Formicea is that I can obscure stuff I don't want to address too openly.

(F)

"Well, to my defense, for some time now I always had a bunch of insects to do that for me." (E)

(F)

"I'm trying, but it's hard to keep track. This situation was special and won't repeat anytime soon." (E)

"You still should pay attention to the signals. I want that my daughter stays healthy." (R)

I stare at dad.

To chime like this into a conversation is extremely unusual for him.

This just proves how important he thinks that is.

It shows genuine concern and this thought makes me a little happy.

I embrace him.

And he hugs me back.

(F)

My mum speaks in insect speech, but it's obvious what she conveys.

"Don't stress about each little thing. A family exists to share the burden." (R)

I guess Kyska told them my exhaustion came from stress and now they want to ease me up.

I guess I should comply with their wishes, a little bit.

"By the way, what about Toris?" (E)

"Well, a while after you fainted this big worker you sent after him returned, with Toris sleeping in his claws. It was a little off-putting, but he was quite careful while carrying him." (R)

He must have grown tired from his tantrum.

And I am not sure if "he" is the right word when speaking about workers.

But I'm glad to know that everyone is fine.

Well, mostly.

I look a little uneasy at mum.

"What are you now going to do mum?" (E)

(F)

That sounds reasonable.

It would be great if she could recover.

(F)

That sounds not reasonable.

Not in the slightest.

"You, you still want to work as a nurse?" (E)

(F)

(E)

I switch back to Formicea, as I always do when I am agitated and lack the focus for proper pronunciation.

(F)

(E)

(F)

(E)

(F)

(E)

(F)

(E)

(F)

(E)

(F)

If she says it like this it truly sounds as if I would neglect my babies.

I regain my composure and answer.

"Fine, you got me. I'm coming with you. But mostly because I would feel you might otherwise again get abducted." (E)

(F)

Mum has a smile on her face, accompanied by an obvious hint of mockery.

Dad says he stays to look for my brother and that he would make him breakfast when he wakes up, which worries me deeply.

I hope Suki will help him at that time since honestly, I trust the insect which was just introduced to the concept of cooking more in that regard than my father.

Kyska meanwhile accompanies me, along with the obligatory giant escort following some way behind me.

Now I just need to forget this wriggling feeling in my throat.