After the general agreement stood we started to decide on the fictional prices for the wares we're about to introduce to the human society.

The base is mostly Olira's rough estimation about similar cases when novel products were brought on the maket.

It's kinda weird to make up such things and to decide if something is going to get sold as an expensive luxury or should be a product for the general populace.

It feels like we are kids who make this up while playing shopping at the store.

Especially as we're talking about so many things no one knows yet.

So it takes a while till we are all done and have agreed on what we'll give for the first delivery of tools.

"So, four amphoras of nectar, a barrel of the binding agent, a generous amount of the food mushroom, and several hides of creatures one can only encounter in the underworld. Is that it?" (E)

While most of this is no problem to provide, the nectar was an issue.

Formicea and like this Liseti are a bit picky about their food supply and value it very much.

So giving away this much nectar is a thing.

"Perfect. For those I'll send metal tools with which you should be able to extract the ore." (O)

(L)

"You mean something like metal claws?" (O)

(L)

"Ehm, as I said, those would have to be specifically crafted first. For now, I need to ask you to make do with the usual mining tools." (O)

(L)

"Could I ask, why do you want such things? As payment I am sure gold and silver ore would have sufficed." (E)

At this on her face again grows what I suspect is her merchant smile.

It honestly puts me off.

"Advertisement, my dearest. It's far easier to convince people to accept one's presence if you provide something they want. They just don't know yet that they'll love it. If I become the only merchant who can deliver such things I will be in an advantageous position. And your kind as the producers will as well raise in their esteem." (O)

I need to say, her way of thinking is interesting.

Her argument makes sense.

A noble who develops a liking for sweets made with nectar might not vote against further trade when the time comes.

And the starving populace will certainly not sabotage their next food delivery.

It's interesting to learn about this kind of diplomatic trading.

But I am sure the one who learned the most here is Liseti.

She barely blinked throughout the entire negotiation, always highly attentive.

(L)

Olira looks back at her with slight worry.

"Ehm, what is it?" (O)

(L)

"I would first need to know what it is." (O)

(L)

"So I have to train some of your drones to become merchants if I want to do any business down here." (O)

(L)

Liseti is certainly right.

It's a gamble, as we could lose our only cooperative trading partner.

But staying forever ignorant will put us at a disadvantage in the long run.

And I doubt that Olira would at this point chicken out.

Also, it's almost impossible that she simply won't show them anything as we aren't so stupid that we wouldn't realize if those we sent are still ignorant when they return.

At least learning how much we are worth is the foundation of any kind of trade.

"Okay... about what exactly are we talking here? I cannot educate too many individuals. My business has its limits" (O)

(L)

"Oh, scholars?" (O)

There's slight distress coming from Olira.

Probably, because one of them kinda molested her.

They're not too sociable.

(L)

I think I should now help Olira out here.

(E)

We could still insist on that, but I would like to make a more hospitable impression on anyone who's willing to interact with us in the beginning.

(L)

My solution is the same I already used before, regarding interaction with humans.

The most pleasant presence the swarm can offer.

(E)

(L)

"Uh, five individuals. That's quite a lot. But fine. As long as you provide for their subsistence. Food is expensive right now." (O)

(L)

I'm kinda glad this could be solved.

The idea of insect trainees in Olira's business is funny if one thinks about it.

At least a little bit outrageous.

(E)

(L)

Huh!?

(E)

(L)

(E)

Two weeks is no age to send your children out into the world.

Olira meanwhile is terribly amused.

I guess you don't see every day a human-insect mix screaking in panic.

(L)

The thing is, Liseti feels extremely stern about this.

Her pheromones clearly say that she won't allow any backtalk here.

I give in.

Mostly because I'm intimidated by her.

(E)

(L)

At this Olira groans.

"What else is left? I thought I've agreed to anything you wanted?" (O)

(L)

She stands up, moves away from the table, and circles it in Olira's direction.

A small distance away from her she stops.

Then her ovipositor rushes out from behind her, extending into a long tail spear that hovers over her.

Naturally, Olira and I are worried about this development.

There's a pheromone signal I can't really discern and promptly one of her nurses enters.

She hands her some kind of batch.

Looking close I see that it's just hardened earth, coated in the applicant.

However, her symbol is on it.

This weird double trident.

Liseti extends both her upper claws in front of her, palms upward.

Then her stinger first moves over the one with the symbol.

And some translucent liquid escapes and dribs on it.

After this, she moves the stinger to her empty claw and soaks it the same.

The moment she seems to be done she abruptly advances on Olira.

And rubs her face and hair with the soaked claw.

"Wha-" (O)

(L)

"Urgh, what is it with you folk that makes all of you strobing my face?" (O)

I... notice now.

This liquid.

It smells a bit like Liseti.

Not quite the same, but I'm reminded of her alone by inhaling this scent.

If it works like I think it does, every drone will now know that they're associated.

Then Liseti suddenly moves to me.

(L)

Wh-what?!

(L)

(E)

(L)

Okay.

I just have never done this before.

What could go wrong aside from me having no idea what I'm even doing and messing up big time?

(L)

She turns the batch around, and yes, it's my symbol.

(E)

(L)

It seems I won't get out of this.

At least a tip would be nice.

(E)

(L)

Damn, this couldn't have been more abstract, huh?

The first point is extending my ovipositor.

While I know how to do it by now I certainly have my issues to display my private parts in front of a business partner.

And if the thing I'm squeezing brood out isn't private I don't know.

Nonetheless, I have to do it.

Alone this ability seems to be important for my future if I want to prevent that someone I like gets ripped apart by my subordinates.

So I extend it, ignoring any outer reactions, and move it a bit clumsy to the batch.

Creating this pheromone is much more tricky.

I have to concentrate really hard on everything Liseti mentioned.

Especially differentiating between Olira and this clump of earth is difficult, as it's so abstract.

The moment I think I've got it for the batch I suddenly feel some kind of switch.

And promptly release the same liquid.

After this "leak" I feel bad.

But still, now that I know how, I can repeat the thing Liseti did with her empty hand and move to Olira.

"I-I'm not sure if this is necessary." (O)

"Please, don't make this harder for me than it is." (E)

We both grumble and I proceed with swift movements to stroke it over her head as Liseti indicated me to do.

We both don't like it and I hurry to get done.

"Was this it?" (O)

"I think so." (E)

"God, finally. Seriously, I'm beat. And this "odor" is far too intense. Let's call it a day." (O)

(E)

(L)

Great.

It's over.

I need a break.

Yet before this, I have to look for two nurses I can send with Olira.

Just then my mother walks in.

(F)

Huh?

What?!