Morning found its way to the colony, bringing a gentle breeze and sunshine along with it. Some muffled noises from some other room woke me, though I jumped upon seeing where I was: covered up in a large bed, in an even larger room of a massive stone tree. My eyes darted around the room as I reached for the blanket, uncovering myself to find the torn purple cloth around my stinger.

I stopped, and for a moment, so did the world around me. It had not been just a dream?

I was alive? Safe, even?

...Because of a queen?

The sounds from the other rooms slowly trickled back into my ears-- clanking of dishes, some soft voices, the light thud of small feet. The more I came to, the more I could sense.

Light aromas of fruit and honey, savory scents of some kinds of meat. My curiosity got the better of me; before I knew it I was up on my feet and slowly, quietly making my way toward the source of all the sounds and smells. I poked my head around the final corridor just enough to see what lie beyond.

Several drones, many very young, were sitting around several long tables. Each had his own little plate with whatever he wanted from the larger dishes in the middle of the table. Other drones, probably near my age, scooted around the tables to serve the smallest ones while helping some others pick up utensils to serve their own food to their plates. As it was still early most of them made an effort to stay hushed as to not wake others still asleep in the nearby rooms.

Before I could really determine how I felt about this whole scene I heard a low voice. Around the other hallways someone could be heard walking to other rooms and waking those who still slept, those waking answering in yawns and grunts from stretching. Around the other side stepped Aten.

Wait, was she the one waking them?

Aten took a moment to look over everyone currently eating, though I am not quite sure why. Was she examining them? Either way, some of them looked back up toward Aten and started squeaking rather happily. Aten looked at them and gave a slight smile, but raised her finger to her snout to remind them it was still early and some are still trying to sleep. Some of the small drones mimicked Aten's gesture, eliciting a soft chuckle from the older helper drones as they took emptied plates to the backroom. When some of the young drones hopped off the benches Aten stepped in to carry away the used dishes on a small tray. I could hear water splashing and dishes getting bumped and moved around after each time Aten or a helper re-entered the back room.

The more I witnessed, the more puzzled I became.

After a few minutes of bussing the tables, some of the older small drones were given wet rags as a helper carried a couple buckets of water. The small drones helped wash down the surface of the tables with the helper's guidance, and upon finishing their chore the small drones put their used rags in the water bucket and went on their way with the younger ones to some other room. The helper quickly returned the bucket to the back room, returning once more with a dry cloth, and wiped down each table before vanishing once again into the back room. I shuffled over to the corridor, careful not to make much noise, and peered around the wall.

It was the kitchen. Several helper drones scurried around, some washing dishes and others putting them away into their cabinets. Some came up and down a ladder carrying food, presumably for later. Aten herself helped carry the larger or more awkward things before closing in on the corridor near me, something in hand. I panicked and dashed to hide around the far corner, but still watched what I could.

She stood just before the exit, turned back around toward the room. All I could see was her tail, stinger raised well above anyone's head. Before too long, she began to speak:

<"I would like you all to know that we have a guest in our colony.">

The news led to a decline of their noise. I could feel my ears flatten and my grip on the wall tighten.

<"I took him into our home late last night. His name is Sagis. He is still young and wears a wrap of cloth around his stinger due to an injury. Should you interact with him, I ask you please allow him your utmost patience and understanding. I have a feeling he is not used to this kind of...atmosphere.">

<"'Atmosphere?'"> asked a helper.

<"He is easily startled and quick to apologize, showing hesitation when interacting with others. I can only assume he comes from a place of tension and simply has not experienced anything else. Now, I am not sure he plans to stay here, but please help see to it that he is treated as though he has. I am sure he will fit in just fine in due time.">

With that, she turned once more and left the room. I followed distantly behind her as I tried to process all I had heard. She returned to her room and left once more, going down the rest of the hallway as other helpers grew more active and spread from their sleeping rooms. Some tiny squeaks could be heard in the distance as I turned back into Aten's room. By the bed was a plate with some fresh cut fruit and small pieces of fish. By the plate was a parchment note with 'Sagis' written on it, so I guess this food was for me. I slowly, cautiously ate everything on the plate over the next several minutes, mulling over the events of this morning and trying to piece together how to feel.

Was it acceptable for me to be here? Why would it be?

Was this normal? Was any of this normal?

Was I going to be alright?

Before I could protest, I fell back onto the bed and drifted back into sleep.

-

I stayed by myself most of my waking hours come the following days, Aten offering all the patience she could, when she could, while still gently urging and reinforcing my integration with the rest of the colony. Apparently that morning really was their 'normal' despite being so alien to me. The more I observed, the more I came to appreciate this strange new place, and the more I admired Aten and her peculiar brand of rule.

...The worse I felt about keeping her in the dark about why I was here.

Each passing day led to less time alone and more time stumbling through interactions with the others, though I seemed to get better each time. I was given my own space in the nearby rooms like other helpers. The rooms were a bit small, but most helpers only occupied them for sleeping and dressing in the mornings anyway.

The more I learned, the more I tried to offer my help where I could-- I hated to feel as though I offered nothing while living here. I fished, foraged, made deliveries, even bussed tables with those helpers from the first morning. Before too long I had the general layout of the colony trees down, including locations of the more important hubs like the shops and school, the most efficient paths of travel, and so on. I grew familiar with specific drones and their taken roles, even their personalities.

I was well fed every day. Those helping in the kitchen even took note of my preferences over time as they did with other drones my age, ensuring there was always something I liked each mealtime.

Before I knew it, a day became a month and a half. My stinger was almost completely recovered from the break and my venom glands had activated. My teeth stopped hurting. I cowered less. I no longer jumped whenever I heard or saw Aten, though I was still quick to startle with sudden movements or noise. The redness in my eyes was almost gone. Though nobody seemed bothered by its presence, it was a relief to see that it was disappearing.

I just...

I just felt so much better...in every way.

...I could not just keep her in the dark.

-

Late in the week I was helping to pick up the last remaining dishes from the last meal of the day. Aten had already started making her way back to the kitchen as I grabbed the last couple bowls on the far ends of the tables, carefully quickening my pace to meet her just before she could enter the other room.

<"Ah, thank you, Sagis,"> Aten said as she turned to receive them. <"You have been very helpful during your stay. We do very much appreciate it.">

Before she could take the bowls, I had to say something.

<"Um, Aten?">

<"Hm?">

<"...Could I, um, talk with you tonight?">

She paused for a moment and turned just enough to look at me. I think she could tell what I meant from my expression alone.

"Of course."

---

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