(E)

(C)

(E)

If I understand this perfectionist child right, this should be the way she prefers it.

She doesn't really want help.

She wants to succeed at all costs.

However, even if this is basically all she wishes for, her response is rather dispassionate.

(C)

(E)

Once again she stares blankly at me, before coming to a conclusion.

(C)

(E)

(C)

Oh please, you did it yourself.

(E)

(C)

What does it say about her that she needed so long to come to this conclusion instead of thinking so when she first saw me?

(E)

(C)

Great!

Seems like I made it over the first hurdle.

I walk with Chera to her place.

Naturally, everyone else has to stay outside.

In there, I settle down on an earthen bench.

(C)

(E)

(C)

Sure you have.

At least, that removes my greatest concern, that there is no time to put my plan into practice.

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

That's not as great.

I had hoped she would have more to spare.

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

The most important part here is that I relay everything to her in a manner that it's going to make sense to her.

She knows what lying is, so I need to convince her to believe me.

Just making grand promises isn't going to cut it.

(C)

(E)

This might be quite fatalistic, yet essentially it's the truth.

I wouldn't know about a single human who'd want to do something for no reason, even if it's just the good feeling to have done it.

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

I pay special attention to conveying my pheromones clearly.

There can't be any doubt about my thoughts.

If she gathers from those that I'm convinced of my words, this will already convince her as well of my intentions.

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

That shut her up.

She's obviously not used to being talked to in such a manner.

(E)

(C)

Fair enough.

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

I think I got her.

In the end, she was all ears to my explanation.

(C)

(E)

I only have to remember telling Olira about it.

I mean, that bit of extra work shouldn't be an issue, right?

The chance to basically gain management rights on a whole hive with ultimate resource access should be something she jumps on.

If this really helps Chera to get out of her low, she might be supportive of me in the long run.

Furthermore, she might support me if I have to defend my human-relations agenda before the queen in the future for getting captured.

(C)

(E)

(C)

I'm honestly not sure if she thought that far.

(E)

Now Chera stays quiet for a moment.

She has a rather somber expression as well as the corresponding pheromone image to her.

(C)

That was the most honest thing I ever heard from her until now.

She truly meant it.

She might be stubborn, unreasonable, dogmatic, and imposing.

But in the end, she's still a broodmother.

And she cares.

(E)