[hider=The Talk]
It was only inevitable that Rodias would notice the 4th floor being represented as the “Final Chapter”, the Sable Lord’s strides taking him not to the elevator to enter as a Lord should, but to ascend the fifth Chapter’s staircase as a challenger would. He didn’t want to startle Chuunitrixx by popping in from the elevator behind her; This was the kind of talk that he felt he should let her know was coming. As his feet sunk into the sand surrounding the desolate city, Rodias’ heels clicked against ruined concrete soon after. 

In the dark of the Enderall’s shadows, Survivors of the Apocalypse that never was peered at him; speaking multiple langauges in a mishmash of tongues. However, they didn’t attack him -- in fact, they seem only half-aware of him; as if, he were just another machination of the cityscape. Sentries and Proxies discussed events in their circles, among the Chateau, and also seemed to only half-regard Rodias’s presence.

Neither attack nor approach welcomed the Sable Lord.

With no opposition, Rodias would approach Chuunitrixx’s sniper nest, walking with a clear sense of purpose resonating in each step. If she could see him, Chuunitrixx would probably get the impression that he was mad.

Chuunitrixx wasn’t visible to his superior sight, so she wasn’t looking down. That was uncommon -- no, that was unnatural -- for her. Her programming didn’t allow such a deviation. Something, or, perhaps, someone, was distracting her... but, Rodias was the only one that could access her at the moment.

Rodias would enter Chuunitrixx’s nest, calling out: [color=f7976a][b]”Chuunitrixx? I need to speak with you.”[/b][/color]

There was a strained groaning; effort clearly being put towards an unseen action. It was followed by a short, but impactful crashing sound mixed with the crunch of metal and break of plastic.

Rodias would approach, looking around for Chuunitrixx from the source of the sound. [color=f7976a][b]”Chuunitrixx?”[/b][/color]

“[color=forestgreen]Who’s there!?[/color]” Chuunitrixx shouted, firing a bullet at random; the metal slamming into the wall, and setting on flame for a moment -- blowing a [Fireball] sized hole into the wall.

Rodias barely needed to move to dodge the fireball bullet, saying: [color=f7976a][b]”Who else sounds like me? Because Graft is definitely deeper sounding, and Zouyu almost sounds like a girl. No, really, who actually sounds like me?”[/b][/color] Rodias questioned, pinching the brow of his nose.

“[color=red][b]Rodi? D-Don’t come in here![/b][/color]” Chuunitrixx says, “[color=forestgreen][b]Oh, God! That hurts![/b][/color]”

Rodias burst into the room. [color=f7976a][b]”What’s wrong!? Are you hurt?[/b][/color] he asked, hurriedly rushing towards where he heard her voice coming from.

Chuunitrixx squealed, as Rodias was, thankfully, stopped by her personal fridge; thrown into the middle of her apartment’s kitchenette. Rodias could see the floor was damp with a viscous liquid, but not what was generating it. He could see what was standing out moreso, that being Chuunitrixx straining behind her kitchenette’s island. “[color=forestgreen]I said,[/color] [color=red][b]stay out![/b][/color]” Chuunitrixx shouted, as she lifted her revolver, but dropped it from a sharp stab of pain. “[color=forestgreen]Yeowch![/color]” she sucked in a deep breath. “[color=forestgreen]My toe... Oh, my poor toe...[/color]” Chuunitrixx feigned reasoning for her clear misery; a poor one, as she didn’t even have toes.

[color=f7976a][b]”Did...did you stub your toe?”[/b][/color] Rodias asked, now more concerned than angry. [color=f7976a][b]”Should I call Aurora?”[/b][/color]

‘[color=red][b]HELL![/b][/color] [color=forestgreen]NO![/color]” Chuunitrixx shouted, before she hurriedly recovered, “[color=forestgreen]I mean, of course not. I’m ooooo....[/color]” she groaned, as squated a bit, “[color=forestgreen]...kayyyyy...[/color]” Chuunitrixx nervously chuckled, “[color=red][b]Do you need something important, Rodi?[/b][/color]”

Rodias would clear his throat, offput by her shouting. [color=f7976a][b]”Yes...I was coming to tell you to reopen Chapter Six immediately. And to ask why you closed it to begin with.[/b][/color]

“[color=red][b]Why should I guard the gate? Why should I keep them shut? For them? Pass,[/b][/color]” Chuunitrixx says, before screwing her face up. “[color=forestgreen]Oh, boy.... Oh, boy... Chapter Six can stay closed, for all I’m concerned...[/color] she says. “[color=forestgreen]I was threatened with a goddamn butter knife. Clearly, my value is under. I’m unnecessary outside my domain.[/color]”

“[color=red][b][i]Am I always to be unnecessary in the end?[/i][/b][/color]”

[color=f7976a][b]”No one thinks that you’re unnecessary, Chuunitrixx. You’ve stopped numerous invaders, just like the other Chapter Keepers have,”[/b][/color] Rodias said, trying to approach her.

“[color=red][b]STAY BACK![/b][/color]” Chuunitrixx screamed, Ariamis thundered; a bullet of flame ripping by Rodias’s ears. “[color=red][b]I was always faster than you, Rodi. Better than you. I just couldn’t think straight for as long as you...[/b][/color]” she says, holding Ariamis in her ponytail. “[color=forestgreen]I was the better one... I was so proud... I am...[/color]” Chuunitrixx sank her nails into the wooden island. “[color=forestgreen]I am Her Will, my Lady...[/color] [color=red][b]I am Her Soul, my Daughter...[/b][/color] [color=chocolate][b][i]Why do you see them, before us, your best friend and ally?[/i][/b][/color]”

Chuunitrixx sobbed, as she dropped her head onto the wood, and Rodias hear a dull thump, before a ovular sphere of blue rolled into sight. Traptrixx often spoke of her love of entomancy, controlling bugs and making new ones; she confessed, she’s given Chuunitrixx such a strength, but there was no in-game means to it. Still, she’s wanted Chhunitrixx to do what she could; control a swarm and be a queen of her own.

Hauntingly, Traptrixx’s machinations had bore fruit in the New World.

Rodias froze at the sound of the thud, not paying any mind to the bullet that had almost deafened his right ear in his approach. [color=f7976a][b]”I have to be impartial. You know that much,”[/b][/color] Rodias said simply, looking at the egg with a mix of disgust and intrigue. [color=f7976a][i]”...So Traptrixx really did keep some of her insectoid racial abilities…”[/i][/color] he would say, picking the egg up and slowly walking towards her. [color=f7976a][b]”As for being better and faster than me, I have to say you’re really not winning points for that argument, sprawled out on the floor like that.[/b][/color]

“[color=chocolate]Shut up,[/color]” Chuunitrixx whined. Rodias could see her stomach was still slightly distended. There was, potentially, one more left, as he held the third of a visible trio.

Rodias would place the egg safely on a level surface, putting a rock in front of it to keep it from rolling away. [color=f7976a][b]”So, is this something you wanted to do, or something your body is doing on its own?”[/b][/color] Rodias asked, having the decency to give Chuunitrixx her privacy.

“[color=chocolate]Both,[/color]” Chuunitrixx says. “[color=chocolate]I’m not a Hivequeen for show. I’m just... rusty...[/color]” she says. “[color=chocolate]Enderall is my perfect child. I’ve never had need to bear new heirs and heiresses beyond her...[/color]” Chuunitrixx banging her fist against the table. “[color=chocolate][b]THESE ARE SO MUCH BIGGER THAN I REMEMBER! JUST KILL ME...[/b][/color]”

Rodias would noticed the egg from before was a gentle shade of blue, and littered with a pattern like swirling winds and stars. If he looked at the other eggs, he would notice one was red with a pattern of sword and anvils being hammered on, and the other was yellow with bows and arrows stabbed deep in targets. They were clearly unlike the eggs that Survivors hatched from, yet clearly the same kind that Traptrixx won as a cosmetic prize.

Perhaps, it was to symbolize that they were a superior brood and/or specialized to a point.

Rodias sighed, now just feeling awkward as hell. [color=f7976a][b]”Are you sure you don’t want Aurora’s help? I imagine she’d be ecstatic. It’d probably be her first delivery,”[/b][/color] the sable lord jested, starting to head towards the door.

Chuunitrixx grit her teeth, “[color=chocolate]Can she keep a secret!?[/color]” Her face was strained, and her Nonlethal Health and Stamina were TANKED.

Humming to himself, Rodias thought about it for a moment, before saying: [color=f7976a][b]”Probably. But then she’ll have to baptize them, give them a saint middle names, get the whole church involved on it, quite an ordeal, I’m sure.”[/b][/color] Every word of what he said was a joke, attempting to lighten Chuunitrixx’s mood, in spite of her uh...motherly pains.

“[color=chocolate][b]Not happening![/b][/color]” Chuunitrixx says. “[color=chocolate]Besides, I already have names in mind. Good names. Conqueror names.[/color]” she smirked, somehow clinging to her pride, in spite of her sweaty -- which, was actually lubricating oil - and haggard appearance.

[color=f7976a][b]”That so, then? Regardless, I’d still like for you to reopen your Chapter.”[/b][/color]

“[color=chocolate]Give me a goooood reason...[/color]” Chuunitrixx says, dryly as fuck.

Rodias looked Chuunitrixx, dead in the eyes as he started slowly walking towards her. [color=f7976a][b]”Because I asked you to.”[/b][/color] 

Chuunitrixx squared him up, face crimson and cheek puffed with effort, “[color=chocolate]I. Said. Good.[/color]”

Rodias smirked, before replying with: [color=f7976a][b]”Is that a bad reason then?”[/b][/color]

“[color=chocolate]It’s a reason,[/color]” Chuunitrixx says, “[color=chocolate]It’s not necessarily a good one, however. I could argue, and will, that, if you were to ask me to jump off my balcony, because you could, and I were to, that is not good reasoning, but a direct order.[/color]” Chuunitrixx was distracted, now, “[color=chocolate]Furthermore, you can’t expect blind reverence from everyone? Even I do not. There are occasions that Enderall will defy me, and that her children will defy her. There is no such thing as blind faith.[/color]” Chuunitrixx propped onto an elbow, twirling Ariamis with her hair in a circle, “[color=chocolate]That’s mere prescribed ignorance, willful and conscious. I am no sheep. I’m a Queen. I lead, and follow ONLY if I deign to. Is that not the equal measure and standing you preached?[/color]

[color=f7976a][b]”Heh…”[/b][/color] Rodias chuckled, before breaking into outright laughter. [color=f7976a][b]”Is that so then? Then, I suppose I’ll have to come up with a better reason. How about this, then?”[/b][/color] Rodias would say, before reaching into his cloak and pulling out what appeared to be a book from the library...featuring the extensive amount of cringy things that Traptrixx had said while she doted on Chuunitrixx back before she was her double. Reading just a few lines aloud, it was like hearing one’s mother coddle them...only worse, since it was basically a God babying a demigod.

It was perhaps filled with the most embarrassing things Chuunitrixx could imagine, and Rodias scarcely got past one page before he closed it, saying: [color=f7976a][b]”Oh, and don’t try and steal it from my hands. You won’t be able to.”[/b][/color]

Chuunitrixx was redder; her entire body blush-red, as her Mimic and Doppelganger camouflages busted out of embarrassment. “[color=chocolate][b]Fine! I’ll do it! Just burn that book! Nobody can know![/b][/color]” she screamed at Rodias.

Rodias gently tapped the book atop Chuunitrixx’s head, saying: [color=f7976a][b]””Ah-Ah-Ah. You need to promise that you’ll KEEP it open. I’m no fool, Chuunitrixx. And I was there for all of this book.”[/b][/color] Rodias said his usual noble composure replaced with an eager playfulness as he bullied his Chapter Keeper. 

“[color=chocolate]I promise! I promise! Just make that disappear![/color]” Chuunitrixx was practically crying out of mortification.

Rodias gently laid the book atop Chuunitrixx’s head, saying: [color=f7976a][b]”Then, we have a deal. The book is all yours. You...might want to read it through, before destroying it. For sentimental value.”[/b][/color]

Chuunitrixx meeped with the book variant of a head-pat, and there was a heavy thump, as heard before. “[color=forestgreen]Meep![/color]”

Rodias would notice a gentle-hued egg of green with patterns of what looked like bars of gold, tongs, and potion jars.

Rodias stared at the egg, before turning on his heel. [color=f7976a][b]”If that’s all, then I’ll be going. I’ll uh...let you have yourself some alone time. But, do try and get along better with everyone, Chuunitrixx.”[/b][/color]

“[color=forestgreen]”It’s getting away![/color]” Chuunitrixx says, diving for it; 100 and 10% fully dressed. “[color=forestgreen]I get along with everyone. Everyone doesn't get along with me![/color]” she says, flopped into the floor, and stopped the egg from rolling out the room, before crawling back to the others. “[color=forestgreen]Phew... that’s the best I can do, right now... I didn’t eat enough...[/color]”

Rodias would stare at Chuunitrixx for a good minute, realizing that at no point in time did Chuunitrixx either change her clothes, change out of her clothes, or put her clothes back on. ...How did she lay those eggs? Shaking himself free of imagining how a mimic even laid an egg to begin with, Rodias said: [color=f7976a][b]”You and I both know that’s a flat lie. But, please, try and more amicable. Also here,”[/b][/color] Rodias said, throwing Chuunitrixx an entire wheel of cheese from his cloak.

...It had been in his inventory before he went. Food was important.

Chuunitrixx held the cheese, and nibbled on it, “[color=forestgreen][i]Thankchu~![/i][/color]” 

Rodias smiled, leaving without another word as he approached the elevator, dumping the sand out of his boots before he went back to tending to Chapter 4.

Chuunitrixx looked at the book on the countertop, and gathered the eggs and it with her hair; carrying everything to her bedroom, where she would make blanket nest of her bed for the slimy eggs, and settle into it with them. Before she settled her head, she took the book, and slipped it underneath her pillow, inside the zip-up case. “[color=forestgreen][i]Goodnight, Mom...[/i][/color]”
[/hider]
Collab with [@The Irish Tree]
[hr]
After shaking off the understandable mortification of Rodias coming across her laying eggs and their very long talk, a very exhausted Chuunitrixx was snoozing around the small, nested clutch; the quartet of eggs well-guarded by the encirclement of her arms and legs, met at elbow and knee, and warmed by her own body heat, blankets, and her jacket that covered them. Around her, Expedition Team Alpha's Survivors of the Apocalypse were gathered, and watching their Hivequeen sleep; be it out of an instinctive need to be her guardians or an abject curiosity to meet their new Overlords -- their aunts and/or uncles, to be more specific. Chuunitrixx had only laid one egg in all their known years; the city-sprawling Mimic that was Enderall, their mother. As such, a new egg -- even more so, four new eggs -- was something of spectacle that they could only fully appreciate in this New World.

They conversed between each other; all wondering what their new additions would be like, if their Hivequeen would lay more eggs, and other manner of logical thoughts they'd never had the faculties to dwell on. As the Expedition Team of Chateau Gothika, this was fair practice for their assembling skills and forward-thinking; it helped that their [Barbarian] and [Assassin] Classes had been replaced with the more adaptable [Adventurer] and [Organizer] Classes, respectively, so they weren't focused on strict combat, but many things. They were the only ones, so far, but Chuunitrixx had imbued Enderall with the Racial of [Alexander] to change herself and all things of her freely, so, perhaps, there would come to be more of them.

They were sure that the new Mimics in the eggs would have the Racial of [Alexander], as well, or something that would function on the same level. It was a mystery that agonized them, but they had their own tasks to fulfill, and started to organize Survivors of in groups that would comprise end that each Settlement was comprised of three Concreep Mixers, ten Sentries, thirty-six Template Survivors of the Apocalypse, and the egg that would hatch into its intended leader for a total of fifty units -- the agreed upon measure that Rodias permitted. After that, they set to raiding Kath's Library for supplementary knowledge.

Chuunitrixx had left explicit instructions to gather tomes with anything that pertains the Classes of [Warrior], [Ranger], [Sorcerer], [Wizard], and [Alchemist]. Each Settlement was going to have an explicit focus, which she would decide when she awoke; the tomes would stand as building blocks and guidelines for her children to follow, once she sent them out into the world with them. Surely, Kath would understand the greater good that losing an armful of books would gain the Chateau. Knowledge secured, the Alpha Survivors returned to Chuunitrixx's Chapter... without even checking out a single book properly.