Schemes and the Grand Promenade
Standing on the makeshift balcony, the woman and Varian took in the sights and sounds of Hive City 24.
The constant hum of industry filled the air, mingling with the distant clang of machinery and the chatter of the bustling crowds below.
If someone were to look up at the balcony, they would see a woman and a naked little boy staring out into the distance.
The lady turned to Varian with a warm smile. "Come, my dear," she said, her voice carrying the unmistakable lilt of noble refinement. "Let us explore our new home and see what wonders it has to offer."
With her leading the way, they descended the stairs and ventured out into the bustling streets below. However, not before dressing Varian accordingly.
Varian, despite his small body, is dressed in attire befitting the upper hive. He wears a neatly tailored jacket and trousers made of fine fabric, accentuated by a crisp button-up shirt and a respiratory mask.
His wing-tipped shoes are polished to perfection, adding a touch of sophistication to his ensemble.
Despite his youth, Varian's attire exudes an air of refinement and elegance, reflecting his privileged upbringing and his desire to make a good impression in his new surroundings.
Varian couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around him.
Varian noticed, from a distance of about 2 miles, merchants hawking their wares from colorful stalls, while workers hurried past. Their faces are covered by respirator masks as they went about their daily tasks.
Despite the bustle of the hive city, there was a sense of order amidst the chaos.
As they wandered through the streets, the lady pointed out various landmarks and points of interest, her words filled with pride for her city.
Varian listened intently, absorbing everything she said as he took in the sights and sounds of his new home.
As they strolled through the bustling streets, the lady pointed out various landmarks and points of interest, her voice filled with enthusiasm as though she was a cheery tour guide.
"This is Market Square," she explained, gesturing towards a lively plaza bustling with activity. "Here, you can find anything your heart desires, from exotic goods to the freshest produce."
Varian nodded, taking in the sights with wide-eyed wonder. "It's so big," he remarked, his voice filled with excitement.
The lady smiled warmly at his enthusiasm.
"Indeed," she replied, her eyes low and very affectionate. "But, there is much more to see."
With that, they continued their journey through the hive city, their conversation flowed easy as the lady led him down winding paths and roads with new buildings and new people.
Varian got to see a very relaxed side of the lady that he's pretty sure that hasn't been displayed in a pretty long time.
Aurelia shared stories of the hive's history and its notable inhabitants, her words painting a vivid picture of life in the upper echelons of society. Varian listened intently, absorbing every detail as they navigated the labyrinthine streets.
Occasionally, they would pause to admire a particularly grand building or to greet acquaintances passing by.
Despite the opulence surrounding them, the lady remained ever vigilant, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.
She knew that even in the upper hive, danger lurked in the shadows, and she was determined to keep Varian safe at all costs. He did not lack in the awareness department as he himself was passively doing the same.
'I'm starting to notice a trend here. They're all pretentious to those they think lesser than themselves.'
The clothes they dress in, the shoes they wear, and even the sense of nobility they exude is nothing but a facade filled with self-contempt at the circumstances of their living situations.
These upper hivesmen wish to be like the true nobles that sit atop their city in the Spires as kings and queens, enjoying the fruits of the lower hivemen's labor. Even if it's just a facade, at least they're closer to the top. Or so they think.
'Ugh, being around these people giving out false pretenses makes me want to smack a mothe…'
"Exterminus, did you hear me," the lady asks after giving his small shoulder a soft shake.
"N-no. My apologies. I was lost in thought. What was it that you'd said, mother?"
Varian's small smile plucked at the lady's heartstrings.
"It is quite passably, little one. There are always errors bound to occur. I've made quite a few of them myself over the past few centuries," she gently replies to Varian.
'Did this lady just say 'few centuries'? Um, lady, are you even qualified to look thirty years old?' Varian questions himself, shocked at the revelation she'd given him. 'That kind of explains that fractured mind of hers.'
"Anyhow, Exterminus, we have reached the Grand Promenade."
Varian couldn't help but be captivated by the opulence and grandeur of their surroundings. Finely dressed nobles strolled past them, their elegant attire and haughty demeanor marking them as members of the upper echelons of Hive City 24.
"Wow, this area is way better than any other place in Upper Hive," Varian remarked, his eyes wide with wonder.
The lady nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my dear. The Grand Promenade is a testament to the wealth and prestige of the Upper Hive. This is due to it being located closer to the Spire entrance than any where else. Be aware and not be fooled by its grandiose appearances. Despite the decadence of our surroundings, there is a sub-current of tension beneath the surface."
Varian furrowed his brow, intrigued by her words. "What do you mean?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The lady's expression darkened slightly. "Power comes with its own set of challenges and dangers," she explained cryptically. "Anyhow, let us not dwell on such matters. We are here to enjoy ourselves, are we not?"
With that, she led Varian deeper into the heart of the Grand Promenade. Their conversation turned to lighter topics as they continued to explore the rest of this district.
Never forgetting what's beneath the facade of elegance and sophistication, Varian's feeling that there was more to this world than meets the eye grew the more he experienced.
Within these hours of walking, Varian noticed an that earlier he had an aching within his legs. This was most likely due to him walking all these hours as a child. However, now, he felt as though he could walk the whole day and not be worn out.
'Must be something this woman did during her experimentations on me. Is this adaptation?'
The lady grabbed Varian's attention with tales of the illustrious families in the Upper Hive. Even though she had a couple of screws loose, she is definitely more normal than he'd initially thought.
Anyways, she began speaking of their lavish parties, their intricate social hierarchies, and the involuted web of alliances and rivalries that defined their world.
Think of the Upper Hive as the Great Pyramid, where every brick represents a family/power vying for power and influence.
At the top are the High Houses, the oldest and most prestigious families that act as the cornerstones of society. They're like the kings and queens of this part of the Hive, with wealth and status beyond compare.
Still, there's more to the structure than just the High Houses. There are also smaller noble families, like knights and bishops, who're the bricks of the pyramid that constantly scheme and plot to climb higher in the ranks.
Then, there are other groups, such as wealthy merchants or influential bureaucrats, who have their own bricks in the pyramid.
All of these pieces are constantly moving and shifting, forming alliances, making deals, and sometimes even turning against each other.
It's like a never-ending game of chess, where every move counts and every player has their own strategy.
Varian listened intently, his fascination growing with each detail as they passed by the grand estates. He even questioned himself at how she could know all of these details.
Varian couldn't help but notice a group of nobles gathered on the balcony of an estate, their voices hushed as they conversed amongst themselves.
There was an air of tension hanging over them, a subtle undercurrent of intrigue that sent a shiver down Varian's spine as they periodically looking in their direction.
"Are they always like that?" Varian asked, nodding towards the group.
She glanced in their direction, her expression unreadable. "Precise," she replied cryptically. "In the Upper Hive, one must always be wary of those who seek to undermine you. Even so, fear not, my dear. As long as you have me by your side, you will be safe until you're old enough."
Varian nodded, grateful for her guidance.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "I am truly fortunate to have you as my mother."
She smiled warmly at him, her eyes shining with pride. "And I am fortunate to have you as my… child," she replied, her voice tinged with affection. "Together, we shall navigate the treacherous crowds of the Upper Hive and emerge victorious."
—
Wandering through the crowded streets of the Upper Hive, Varian's thoughts were consumed by the lady's cryptic warnings and the hidden perils lurking within hive society. Soon, she leaves him to enter a shop
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a group of nobles gathered in a nearby alcove 20 meters away, their voices barely audible over the bustling din of the city.
"..the target is with a boy. However, she left him outside," one of them murmured, the words carrying on the wind.
Curious, Varian stealthily edged closer, seeking to obtain more information from their conversation.
"We must act swiftly," another voice urged urgently.
"The boy is an unknown variable to our plans."
Realization dawned on Varian as he pieced together the gravity of the situation. Someone was plotting against his mother!
'What do they want with her? She made it seem like she's an outcast and the High Houses don't want anything to do with her. Unless, they've discovered that she's doing genetic manipulation, the High Houses should have no dealings with her."
Varian trailed the group as they navigated through the labyrinthine streets of the upper hive. Dodging through alleyways and slipping past bustling crowds, he managed to maintain a discreet distance while keeping them in sight.
Finally, they reached a secluded alleyway, hidden from prying eyes. Varian lurked in the shadows, straining to catch every word of their conversation.
"We strike tonight at 10," one of them declared, the words sending a chill down Varian's spine.
"The target will be vulnerable, and we cannot afford to hesitate."