(POV Sylvia)

After enjoying the security of my situation extensively, I turn my attention to Karina. I can feel her calm heartbeat and steady breathing. This gives me the confidence I need to let her in on what's going on here a little further. I turn to her again and say, "I have a plan to get us both safely out of the deeper forest together. My Sylv group is working on implementing it and it will take several more days. You can help me, but we need to take this slowly."

Karina enthusiastically replies, "Of course I'll be happy to help! Taking it slow is completely fine with me. I prefer a safe approach to a faster one."

This puts me in a joyful mood and I decide to make a bold move. I put some distance between us and look Karina seriously in the eye to emphasize this, "I was planning on showing you this a little later, but I think now is a better time. I will have some other Sylv join us here." I then instruct two drones and a hunter to come to our position.

In the meantime, Karina replies, "I am eager to meet your fellow Sylv. How should I behave? Is there anything special I should be aware of?"

I reply, "They are different from me, smaller and with six limbs instead of four. They also don't have unprotected skin and are instead fully armored. There's nothing special you need to pay attention to, just act naturally." With my last words, I throw her an encouraging smile.

(POV Karina)

I know Sylvia means well, but her smile looks to me like it could be improved. With her rows of teeth bared, she looks more threatening than friendly. From the description I got, I just imagine little Sylvias with four arms, wearing heavy armor. I have the feeling that I'm pretty much off the mark and see my suspicions confirmed when a moment later I spot two spider-shaped shadows in the dark corridor.

Fascinated, I look at the figures and can slowly make out more and more details. What I see there does not please me at all! Have wild animals invaded from the surface? Sylvia and I are in danger! But why does she react so calmly?!?

Sylvia seems to sense my rising panic and gently grasps my hand while speaking to me in a soothing tone, "Don't be afraid, these are the other Sylv I mentioned."

I relax again. Of course this is the case. It's just ... I was expecting something humanoid. Not giant spiders or insects or whatever they are. I quickly recover from my initial shock and think with a clear head what this means. This changes my perspective on everything Sylvia has told me so far.

(POV Sylvia)

The two drones arrived first, while the hunter is still on the way. Karina's reaction unsettles me. Why is she afraid? The two worker drones are much smaller than she is and upon closer inspection it should be clear that they are not suited for combat. I reduce the speed at which the drones approach us and instruct the hunter to turn back. Going slower is obviously a better idea. I let go of Karina's hand and slowly move towards one of my drones. When I reach it, I start stroking it to demonstrate that there is no danger. Karina watches carefully as I interact with my drones and then decides to follow my example.

Karina moves slowly towards the second drone, which stands still in order to not spook her. When she reaches the drone, she curiously reaches out and holds her hand in front of the drone. I let the drone smell her hand with interest and then return to a resting position. This seems to encourage Karina to pet the drone just as I do. I explain, "These are two Sylv drones. Simple workers who, among other things, built the corridors and rooms here. They pose no threat to you and would never attack, as you are my guest."

My conversational partner listens attentively and says, "I didn't expect the other Sylv to look like large, insect-like spiders. That shocked me quite a bit, especially since we are deep in the Everglade Forest right now. Only now do I understand what you meant, when you said that the Sylv take different forms. I was thinking of small changes, like after your transformation and not such extensive things as shown here."

I timidly reply, "I hope this is okay with you. To be honest, I'm afraid that you might reject me or my swarm...", while looking towards her expectantly.

After a moment of silence, Karina takes my hand into hers and answers in a soft voice: "I can handle it. I think it's very nice that you are so open with me. You and the Sylv are different, but from the time I have spent with you, I can safely say that you are a young, friendly and attentive person. For that very reason, I will not reject you." She pauses for a moment and shifts her position a bit before continuing in a jesting tone, "Besides, I can't survive alone here in the forest. I'm sort of dependent on you."

This improves my mood and I reply with a smile, "Thank you for your warm words. I'm not just protecting you here, though. To be precise, I also benefit from your presence. I lack experience and have limited knowledge of the forest. Besides, my current position is still quite modest and therefore I could also need your help at gathering more food. At least until I have my swarm suitably well developed."

At the last words, Karina listens up and asks, "What exactly do you mean by: Expanding your swarm further?"

My plan to approach the whole thing slowly is falling apart more and more. I probably said a little too much in the end. Anyway, I can't leave it at that. I answer hesitantly, "My swarm is growing right now. I need the food in order to keep growing my swarm. My plan is to create an escort, which we use to fend off the monsters along the way."

With my answer, I seem to have surprised her a second time. She is silent and seems to be thinking. I am about to ask if everything is all right when Karina seems to get her energy back. With an interested look she asks: "How can I imagine the whole thing? How does it work at all? Is it related to your role as the queen?"

Before she can ask more questions, I intervene and calmly explain to her what the Sylv are all about, as well as what exactly my role is. Karina asks again and again interested questions, which I answer patiently. In the end, her thirst for knowledge is quenched and she is enlightened in a theoretical way. Of course, I was careful about what I said and did not think it necessary to go into every detail. I am a bit surprised that the whole thing went so well and didn't end in a catastrophe. But when Karina suggests visiting the hive complex, I decline for the time being. I think that was enough for today and I should give her some time to get used to the new knowledge. There is a difference between talking about something and seeing it directly. I still remember the last time when Elise visited my first hive complex.

After the serious talk, I spend some more time with Karina. Now it's my turn and I ask Karina more about herself and her normal daily life. I am fascinated by her descriptions, which bring me a new insight on human culture. The atmosphere loosens up further and I get the feeling that I will get along well with Karina. After a while, I have to get back to what's going on in the hive complex in person and excuse myself.

(POV Karina)

I have learned a lot and I don't like it very much. I don't let it show, though, and in the end it's not a big problem. Sylvia and her swarm are much more different than I had thought. I mean the words I said to her earlier, but I don't see how this is going to work out in the long run. As soon as we get out of the forest it would be my duty to report Sylvia. She represents a strange but intelligent species that could be extremely dangerous to Westerville and the surrounding villages. On the other hand, I can't imagine that a child like Sylvia would attack a village for no reason. I am a bit torn inside and will not make a final decision yet. Its still some time until I’m back to civilization, which should give me enough time to find the right decision. Let's see how it develops from here …