Mimi

Pandora was a hungry one, always drinking from me. Which meant Richard would need to start his week after she was able to process normal food. Still, it was pleasant to feel that unconditional love and support. The trust she had towards me, even while her body molted every twelve hours. She cried whenever she felt pain, which meant I had to take that from her. To suffer in her stead, and endure two bodies evolving at once.

Her growth was steady, and her body was growing bigger by the day. With her attached to my chest, I couldn't walk around, or leave the warehouse. I had to rely on Gray, and Argus for hunting, something that made them both rather pleased. Robert was the one moving around the tribes, making certain that everything was well. The smaller tribes that couldn't afford gifts, and had to offer favors, were tasked with simple things. The sort that fell in line with what they were capable of.

There was no need to diminish any one tribe, and so all favors were used promptly. All of them put on the same level, and treated equally well. Goods were paid for, and filtered into the new territory. The Hags were eaten, thanking me for the sweet release of true death. The homunculus vats were in full production. Slowly everything was moving back to normal in that area, just under new leadership.

There was a problem with the new gangs, their leaders deciding the hags were at their weakest. Those same leaders were visited by Scix, who practiced his talent to carve a curse mark on them. Naturally it was just for others to see, a calling card, but it made people not look too closely at the death by poison. Douglas was sent there, in order to keep a hold on everything as a second vice leader for the Wraiths.

Everything was going well, save for the church starting to poke their heads around the church with Beru. It was clear some conflict was about to occur, which meant Cynthia would need to be moved sooner or later. I also needed to talk to Wyatt, and meet Vivian to discuss my payment for stabilizing the Underground to this degree. Surely we could grow Gray's ranks even faster with criminals marked for execution.

Midnight had everything she might need for her journey home, and at my insistence, had decided things were safe enough to leave. She was going to pay a visit to Wyatt, to allow him back into the Hive. That was more for her sake, than his, given that brothers and sisters shouldn't fight. I also expected her to gain his permission to take over our forgotten lands.

So much going on, and it felt fantastic. Even if all my body did lately was; eat, evolve, and be a glorified milk producer. I looked down at the still tiny creature that had doubled in size since she hatched. I had a few leftovers to ingest, but I needed to see if I could gain traits from things I killed, but she eats. As well, as testing if she can kill something and eat it, to provide traits for the Hive. Richard was humming to himself, happy enough to cook my meals.

To the other people in the Hive, it looked as if I was being very protective of this child. Holing myself away in my room, while Richard was preparing a large amount of food for me to eat. The truth was, this little leech needed to constantly eat, or she would start to get sick. Which meant I needed to constantly eat, to produce milk. Switching between my breasts every ten minutes, or even stinging myself to produce more if needed.

It was interesting to watch her mind develop, at least. To watch her take in information from the Hive at her own pace, working out how to control the workers to clean herself. I felt a bit of pride, watching her grow so quickly. I decided to help her take in the information more quickly. Something that turned out to be a mistake, and hurt her development. I felt a bit of fear, when I noticed the mental scar I gave her. The one that would impact her emotional development, but decided to keep that to myself. Really, why was her mind that fragile!?

I kept a close watch on her, silently thankful that the scar didn't impact other parts of her mind. The thing healing, but it was clear I couldn't rush any part of her growth. I felt a small pit of remorse, knowing I had prevented her from being her best. I resolved to not repeat this mistake on the others. Her unconditional love never waned, and I felt that was the part I scarred. She might not be able to feel anything, but love, or maybe she'll feel other emotions to a lesser extent.

Richard asked how she was doing, and I hesitated. I ended up telling him about my mistake, which disappointed him. Still, he accepted my promise to not let it happen again. Asking if I was okay, and wiping my slightly damp cheeks. I had no idea how they got wet, or why. It was just a simple mistake, and it wouldn't hurt her too bad. It was probably just the fear, and shock mixed together that made me cry. Perhaps it could have just been the stress from not being able to move my body around, or the pain from evolving.

Stranger still, was how I couldn't bring myself to think of Pandora as a tool anymore. That I was becoming more reluctant to let her go. Even after she finally walked on the fifth day, and started to eat proper meat. Yes, it was just another two days to ensure the scar wasn't really damaging her. Then Richard's week could start. I had to have her do tests with me, there was still more I needed to know.

Little Pandora

Mommy is silly, and worries too much about everything. She is also really, really big. Like two daddies standing on top of each other, or four me! Still she is a good mommy, she only hurt me once. Other mommies hurt their little ones more than that! She lets me look around everywhere, through the other buggies. She lets me talk to my older brothers and sisters, like big sister Argus.

Mommy showed me all sorts of things, taught me how to think even. Showed me how to find memories, and knowledge. I need to practice talking with my mouth though. Lots of hissing, and giggles. It doesn't help that mommy tickles my sides whenever I hiss, so silly. We got to eat together, and daddy cooks the best. His cooking is so nice, that it makes me grow faster! Helps me get smarter-er too! I love them both so much!

I got to sleep with both of them on the bed mommy made. Her wings are like those covers in the memories! Very soft, very warm. Mommy is sad, because tomorrow is her last day with me. Then I get to spend all my time with daddy, while she goes outside to play! I wasn't worried about it, because mommy is the biggest and most special! Even while I sleep, I dream about new things. Tutors teach me, and I learn so much all the time. I'm supposed to stay with uncle Cheshire after my week with daddy.

I'm not scared though, I know it's because mommy and daddy have to make the world better. Uncle Cheshire should be fun too, even if he was mean to big sister Argus. I liked the spinning memories though, how dizzy they make me. It's hard to get to sleep now that I can think though. Even staring at the ceiling, and all the different shapes and grains. I manage it though, because I like making mommy and daddy happy.

My final day with mommy was fun. I learned how to use my legs to walk on walls and ceilings. Mommy always caught me, whenever I started to fall. She even had a branch-horn brought in, even if she called it a stagler. I liked what I called it better. She told me to kill it, and eat it. I hesitated, looking at it. It was knocked out because of poison, and bound so it couldn't thrash. It had soft looking white fur. Its horns were so pretty, almost like crystal.

Mommy said I didn't have to, if I didn't want to. I did want to though, I just wasn't sure how to make it not hurt. We need to eat, and branch-horns have meat. Mommy gave me a few suggestions, and I made a couple snips. There was tasty red drink everywhere! The branch-horn didn't feel pain, and it tasted good even without cooking!

My antenna changed, growing stronger, and covered by brach-horn stuff. Mommy's didn't and she was disappointed, but her wings got a new color anyway. She was happy, and sad, because we could help each other no matter what. She still wanted horns though, but that was just her being silly. My horns were made to look like a maid tiara! Very pretty, and people couldn't tell the difference better now.

My hair was very long now, and I had workers help me make it like I want. All around my armor, in the gaps. Little bits poking out like frills, to make me pretty. When I get bigger, I'll have all the buggies with me. Maybe even small bead-eyes, like viper rats maybe. Small things like me a lot, always saying I smell good. Though mommy thinks it is just her workers. She'll figure it out eventually.

We all slept together again, but mommy was gone before daddy and me woke up. I could still talk to her, so it was like she never left. She even showed me what she was doing. She found a tunnel that led outside the city, from the Underneath. She wanted to explore it while Scix killed a big kitty-monster (Cheshire, not the uncle). I am going to have lots of fun with daddy today!

Richard Adams

I woke up to find Mimi gone, while Pandora kicked her little spider feet, as if practicing for today. I gently tickled her stomach, feeling a slight bit of regret. I only had a week to spend with her, before she went to Cheshire. She was still half my size, so I picked her up, like the princess she was. She was startled, even while I smirked back at her. "Let's get some grub. Do you want to learn how to cook?" I gave her a sly wink.

She seemed happy enough about the idea, kicking her legs happily. She liked to keep her hands folded over her stomach and sides while resting. The lower ones were completely black, and blended in seamlessly with her strange armor. While the upper ones, with the white hands, clasped together like a maid in waiting. She really did look the part, and sometimes I had to remind myself that the dress was actually a part of her.

Pandora was incredibly light, her limbs a bit longer than they should be, but still adorable on her. The best part, was how affectionate she was. I don't think I've seen her frown once, or not even have a gentle smile on her face. She was just a happy girl, that loved everything. Even if Mimi said that she hurt her somehow.

Really, Mimi just needed to accept the fact that she loved Pandora. She spaced out her evolutions, to make sure they didn't hurt her. She carried her close the entire time, even playing with her when she thought I wasn't looking. Sure, there were a few times where I felt a bit of anger. Like when Pandora was covered in blood and fur, from her first kill. I mean really, you shouldn't make your daughter kill things while she's still so tiny. Not to mention, the first time I really got mad at Mimi, when she said she left a mental scar on the girl. I'm just glad that I could tell she was hurt more by saying it, than I was. I had to let it go, since Mimi was crying.

Lighting the fire on the stove, I set Pandora down. She skittered up my back, resting her legs there, while her hands held onto my head for balance. I let out a light chuckle, teaching her what I could. The most important thing, was figuring out that Mimi overexaggerated how much she hurt Pandora. She wasn't slow in the slightest, if anything the girl was a genius, given how fast she picked up on the finer stuff.

Pandora used her upper hands for the fine control parts, like sprinkling seasonings, and the like. The lower hands were used for stirring, and the more crude tasks. I was surprised when she was able to use those lower hands to actually cut meat, like a pair of fine scissors, but I let it go. What surprised me most, was when she dropped a spoon, but shot webbing from those lower hands to catch it before it even touched the floor. I made sure she knew not to do that when others could see her, especially when they were someone she didn't know.

After cooking breakfast, I decided to sit down with the few people in the warehouse. Helmsman was out with the others on some kind of errand. Douglas was in the South east territory, with Lewis learning from the gnomes. While Robert was bouncing between the lizardmen and tribes. Which left Eris, and the kids. The brats were surprised when they saw Pandora for the first time. Something that spooked her a little, having to meet people for the first time. I figured it was as good a time as any for her to play with kids her own age.

I sat her down in a chair next to me, after Eris got the children to sit down as well. Pandora wanted to keep crawling on me, because she felt it was safer, but that just made the others giggle. I had to whisper that she needed to be strong, and learn how to eat with them. She was reluctant, but finally gave it a try. Her lower half folded like it was an actual skirt, while she sat in a chair for the first time. She learned how to eat with utensils, picking it up pretty quickly.

Overall, it was a good breakfast, until one of the boys flung food at Pandora. She shot silk at the offender, which stuck to his cheek. He comically put his hand there, getting it stuck. I started to say something, but the eyes of the other kids lit up. Eris shot me a look, before flinging a piece of food at me. I remembered how the food fights at mother Oak's went, and grinned before declaring the war that was on.

Pandora was confused at first, but picked up quickly as I blocked the food pelting me from the side. Then she took to it like a lamia to water. Food flew in all directions, while the bugs went about their business eating the stuff that hit the floor. Or so I thought, until I saw the reinforcements flying above. Their cargo was as much crumb and pieces of food they could carry, their numbers uncountable. She looked at me, asking for permission. I warred with myself, over whether to let this happen or not. That decision was made for me, when Eris hit me square in the forehead with another spoon based catapult!

I nodded, and the war was won. The best part was that the bugs were more than happy to clean up the mess, while the kids and Pandora ran off to go play. I was proud that she was able to make friends so quickly, but still followed after to watch them. Eris went to go take a bath, after telling me that she'd get the other kids cleaned up after they were done playing. It was heart warming to see my little girl play with the other kids her age, none of them treating her different because she was a monster.

Well, they did treat her different, but that was more based on genuine interest. They actually wanted to get to know her, what she wanted to play and such. It was all over when they found out she could control the bugs, especially as they asked her to make the bugs dance. I raised an eyebrow at this, before watching the workers come down from holes in the ceiling, and actually dance. I grinned, feeling like I saw another part of Mimi she kept from me.

Eventually their fun was cut short, when Eris came back clean. I took Pandora to the bathroom, to get her cleaned up. She really didn't like water, just like Mimi. Pandora skittered out, whenever I wasn't watching her, and even with the bath drawn she'd fight actually getting inside. Eventually she just floated on the surface of the water, her dress locked and airtight. I gave up, letting her use the bugs to clean herself. Though I did get a promise that she'd at least pretend to clean herself with a rag if she was told to take a bath.

I noticed she was sleepy by the time I was done cleaning myself, and decided it was nap time. Our days went just like that, with Pandora growing a few centimeters every night. Mimi didn't come back, but Pandora always said she was fine whenever I asked. Eventually my little girl asked if love could be wrong. I started to say no, but realized she was probably too smart by this point. I told her that it can be wrong if she forced her idea of love onto others. That she should do her best to return their feelings, if she wanted to.

Pandora was just so full of love and compassion. The other kids loved her, and cried when they heard it was her final day. She never stopped smiling, even when she was reluctant about something. The week passed far too quickly, and Mimi took her away to stay with Cheshire. I wanted to tell her not to do it, to keep her here. But, I knew better than to argue. Pandora was starting to get too big, to pretend she came from a giant that grew up. She needed to be protected, just like the kids if anything happened. At the very least, I was able to talk to her through Mimi, while we prepared to go into the Underneath.

The worst part was how fast she grew up. I had expected that maybe she might take a couple years to grow up, but she aged so fast. Every night, she matured a bit more. Her mind grew sharper, and less innocent. It was as if she was preparing herself for some kind of mission. I am still worried about her, but I know she'll be able to take care of herself. If she needs me, I will be there for her. She will always be my daughter.

Pandora

The final day spent with my father was enjoyable, but I have a mission now. My body is still growing, but my mind is at an acceptable level. At least, according to mother. I am not a strong fighter, and I will not be able to protect the Hive. I am very good at guiding the bugs in the Hive however. My sweet scent calls them, and if everything goes well, Cheshire will have some form of seer establish what form of magic or talent I might possess.

I need to protect uncle Cheshire, that is my mission. Mother will watch how I go about it, offering guidance where I feel I am lacking. I am to endear myself to him, and protect him without letting him know he is a part of the Hive. To accomplish that goal, a network of my own is to be made. I am to train myself in the use of small concealable weapons, and bows. Mother feels these are the best fit for me, and she is likely correct.

I felt giddy excitement as mother came in the dead of night. Father already asleep, as she took me under her wings. She carried me to the shadows, using small clusters of giants to move along Cheshire's warehouse. Argus' old body was still there, nearing its final moments, while Mother made it act as if it was preparing to molt for a few days now. There were no words between us, as we spoke through our connection. The body was used to test my strength, before she split it open. I ordered the workers to clean up the mess, before standing in the center of the broken shell.

Truth was, that I adored everything so much. The pain, and constant hunger made me happy. My shell was molting repeatedly under my silk, and workers moved the bits and pieces to fortify my armor. A lot of layers, which would make me perfect for a colder environment. I was mother's desire given form, a creature that could survive and manage the Hive if she should succumb to another. Someone to help her direct the entire Hive, since she had her own limits.

Still, I couldn't feel anger towards anything. That emotion never developed, and even with mother trying to help me, it never stuck. What I had instead, was a twisted sort of love. The kind that made me want to love someone inside and out. To eat every piece of them, and not waste a single drop. I am extremely thankful for Father's guidance on such emotions. I only need to return the love others give to me, because every action is fueled by love. Mother further elevated this logic, to help me apply a set of rules to any action I might take in self defense, or in defending others.

I lowered my head, entering a soft sleep. Mother left as quickly as she came, having resolved matters with master Raul. Now, it was time for her and father to go hunting. I watched the warehouse through the eyes of those around me, the guards outside the door still half asleep. Hours filtered by, while I practiced a bit with fire through the giants. I still couldn't use magic, but by controlling the giants I was able to manage it. The guards changed their shifts, one of them carrying my morning meal. That was dropped when the door opened, the bowl breaking while I pretended to sleep.

I watched as they scrambled, a few peeking at me from behind the door. A subtle suggestion was given to them, as they resolved to wake up uncle Cheshire. This was an emergency after all, I now had hands from their point of view. Though I silently wished Argus had not played with them too much. I was starting this mission with the reputation of a trouble maker, while the real one was still 'breaking in' her new body.

It took a few minutes before Cheshire teleported outside the door. I started to wake up, looking at him with still tired eyes. My smile stretching a bit more, before I tackled him with a hug. "Uncle Cheshire!" He was surprised, his instincts kicking in as he almost teleported away. His eyes expertly scanning the room, and piecing together the story we wanted him to believe. I could sense his emotions, through the blue giants nearby. How he was flicking between the possibilities, lightly stroking my back.

Cheshire came to the conclusion that we wanted him to, given that it wasn't uncommon for monsters to change drastically when evolving. There was no point in questioning it, since I was undeniably the daughter of father and mother. We hugged for a few seconds, before Cheshire flicked my forehead. His eyes narrowed, "You're staying by me, until I'm certain you won't cause trouble. Got it?"

I could sense that there was a hint of worry. He was worried about some of his men, and the attempts they might make towards me. The ability to sense emotions was very powerful, and I had to thank mother for the foresight of leaving those giants here. I nodded, smiling up at him. "I promise not to cause anymore trouble for you. So please don't flick me again."

Cheshire's brow rose a little, but he smiled back at me. "That's good to hear, now let's get some breakfast. We're eating in my room, while I ask you a few questions."

I realized that I spoke too fluently for someone that just gained their body and a mouth that can talk. He took my hand, while I asked mother for some advice. I really wanted to tell Uncle Cheshire everything, but somehow that would make him mad. This was supposed to be a game for him, something he can discover on his own. Mother had to help me figure out how to lie, and what to say. I'm not sure if I can pull this off otherwise.