The builder bug hive exists outside the recorded boundaries of the District of Earth. It is a series of natural caves with an organic aesthetic, the curved walls decorated with patterns of inlaid resin, bits of shell and chitin, and gemstones. The caves are quite complex, and past the outer boundaries require a guide to navigate easily.

The insects are beautiful, varying in size from a large cat to a small horse, their carapaces iridescent gemstone colors. The emerald ones appear to create organic material which processes into food as well as thread and fiber. The sapphire ones are the artificers, responsible for the wall decors and other intricate designs, and are the producers of their building resin. The rubies are their guardians, with blades for forearms, and the onyx appear to be their most numerous (and least intelligent) worker drones, who dig the caverns and unearth food.

More rarely seen are the golden bugs, always accompanied by a ruby escort. They are the communicators, and are most likely to appear when humans are close. Their queen is an entity only heard of, not yet seen by the group of Exalts and followers that have taken refuge in the Lost Corridors.

Dena leads Third down the passages to the Bug Haven.  Gradually worked stone corridors give way to dug tunnels, then to resin-covered shafts in a wild mosaic of colors and scenes.
"You probably can't see this, but on the way in using my spirit form I noticed what I think are written messages hidden in the patterns.  The insects see color a bit differently and most of them can also sense metal, so metal fibers and slight color patterns let them put writing that only an insect can see.  I suspect this is a defensive system they've put together, although I'm not sure what might prey on them in here.  Perhaps it's just a means of keeping secrets, left over from their days when we think they were livestock."

The Solar has followed her orders. Its own natural scent is as understated as the Solar itself, and the washing has left it practically scent-free, as it follows her into the room, observing the rooms as it walks through, slowly studying them. " Exquisite. They truly are impressive in their abilities. If it's a defense, we might want to keep an eye out for it, but it seems reasonable to ask them about the purpose behind it." it says, pausing for a moment to look over the mosaics quietly, following Dena further into the hive. " Dena, while we travel, Third would like to pass the time by learning more about you. Third has gathered that you are a lunar, but little else." it says politely, making conversation as they travel through the hive towards where Dena has in mind.

"Hmm, yes I can see your point.  I've spent so much time out here or in the forge that I have not had contact with you or your companions.  Well then. . ." Dena pauses long enough to make a plan on how to talk about herself, looking at the ceiling in concentration as she thinks.
"I am indeed of the full moon caste.  My abilities were, well, unimpressive to the Dragonblooded.  I have a certain facility for digging holes and building tunnels but that's nothing compared to what a Solar like Danae can do.  I was considered for concubine duty as I've been called beautiful, but Changing Moons are far more desired for that with their skills at appearing as literally anybody.  In the end what they hit on was my wings, most slaves can't fly and messenger birds can't fight off an attacker so they made me a carrier of important scrolls, where the message had to move fast, discreetly, and safely.  I am fairly fast, I've been timed at about ninety yards a second when I go all-out.  And that's pretty much all the use they had of me." Dena pauses to consider again and thinks over her recent actions.
"You may have heard me boasting in that last battle that I enjoy pain.  That's not really true but I understand it better than most, and I can use pain in certain ways.  A year or so ago I took a message to a manse where there were many stones around a pool, according to legend you could gain enlightenment if you sat on a stone.  The Shifu there told me to do as I wished until he was done penning a reply.  It was the first time I'd been allowed to choose an action of my own since I was collared.  I tried to sit on the stone marked 'freedom' so that I could learn how to be free but I misread the old realm, and sat on the stone of pain instead.  I suppose it was really a blessing, understanding pain has helped me stay alive and it seems I got freedom in the end anyway."

Third nods its head solemnly as you speak. " Not a glorious job, but not one where you would be tortured, at least. Some small blessing in that, Third would suppose." It listens peacefully as she talks about her own experiences with Martial Arts, solemnly absorbing the information like it does with anything else, little if any expression on its face. "Third has heard of the multitude of styles. Third's own style is apparently a mark of some contention among martial artists, the Even Blade style. Whatever path is taken through it leads to a different ultimate technique. It has been compared to a flower, growing from a central point then splitting in different directions. It is hardly as illustrious a style as Laughing Wounds, but ultimately, it had served Third well." It bows its head. " It has been Third's experience that when freedom is offered, it is seldom truly meant. Third imagines that were the sifu to have seen you sitting there, he may have taught you the Laughing Wounds form as punishment for impudence. It seems rather like the action a Dragon-Blooded would take in that situation." There's a sound of anger underneath that sentence, a seething current. But it's gone as quickly as it came. " Third is an Akashic Record. An unpleasant duty, but one that stands in the past now. Third also is a Solar, of the Twilight Caste... It is good to meet fellow Exalts. Third rarely spoke to anyone but Dragon-Blooded nobles before escape."

"Hmm, so the style is called Laughing Wounds?  I hadn't realized it was named.  I'm glad you have such a wide base of knowledge, I'm impressed.  It will surely be useful to us all.  Can I ask you a personal question?" she changes the subject subtly, "What is your ultimate goal?  What do you hope to accomplish next?"

Third nods. It doesn't seem particularly moved by the praise, but inside, it is grateful. "Third's ultimate goal? To be free. From what, Third cannot say, that would limit Third too much. What Third hopes to accomplish next... Leaving this section of Five Coils." It shrugs. " If Third's freedom happens to lead to the freedom of all others, then Third will be pleased. But freedom is all Third seeks." It looks towards her. " And you, Dena? What is it you seek?

As the two Exalts converse, Dena brings Third toward the cave intersection where she had encountered the bugs before. She can already hear their chirping and clacking in the distance, the signals of the ones without speech passing on the news of visitors to those higher in the hive hierarchy.

[Private to Tervila Dena, Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Let me know when you're ready for more game stuff to happen. By the way, I'd let you roll Linguistics if you wanted to see if the patterns in the walls mean anything.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:01, Fri 13 Feb 2009.

"Should be close now, one of the higher-ups will be seeking us soon.  Well, I don't really know what I want for a goal anymore.  When I first got out of the collar I sat for a few minutes and came up with what seemed like a simple plan to escape, I was just going to tunnel my way out, only leave the earth long enough to steal food and then tunnel some more where I couldn't be traced easily." Dena nods as she organizes her thoughts, moving to one side to go around a line of the black tiny insects carrying a trail of crumbs.
"But I got distracted by Danae's warstrider and helped that group get to the Gatekeeper of water.  In hindsight I probably would have just dug into the ocean there anyway so it worked out well for me compared to what would have happened.  But now I think just struggling to escape isn't enough.  I feel like I need to do something bigger than just run away from Terrestrials.  I just haven't decided what I should do yet."

Third follows her, stepping aside for the black insects as well, bowing its head to them politely- Personality isn't a prequisite for politeness, with Third. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Merely escaping Five Coils will be a task of legend. But Third agrees that Third would prefer freedom for all within." it says, and waits for one of the more important insects to approach them. It is intrigued to talk with them.

Dena scowls to herself at that response and considers while they pass another hundred yards or so, by now the tunnels have become mostly round, with pockets set into the stone here and there where workers can store food, so that on long tasks they need not return all the way to the main hive and waste energy.  These, however, are empty indicating that the hive probably isn't planning any jobs in the area.
"You're right of course.  I know I'm not as smart as some, and I try to make up for that by planning carefully so that I don't have to think on my feet, so to speak.  I feel like I've planned out a future but I haven't planned out myself."

The insects in the area are noticeably bigger the further Dena and Third progress. More and more, the black workers are spotted in double, triple size of 'normal', and still greater, their carapaces shining like sculpted onyx. Among them, as well, are the sapphire artisans with their atrophied wings directing the workers toward various tasks, or the more free-roaming emerald bugs, the first to linger at the presence of humanoids in their midst.

The message continues to spread: they are coming, the Humans are coming. There are fewer that gather this time, as their coming was largely expected -- several sapphires, a couple dozen emeralds. The onyx, born primarily for constant toil, continue their work with only a pause to exude chemical excitement, rubbing antennae and forearms.

Of the varieties seen so far, the emerald ones express the most open curiosity. Several of those gathered are familiar with Dena, directing bowed antennae and mandible clicks toward her. "Greetings Wasp-human representative," is what Dena roughly translates, noting an inflection of respect. Mostly, they are deeply interested in the new one Dena brings with her, who does not share her insect-affinity. Third finds itself surrounded by gentle antennae and forearm probing as they attempt to label it friendly or hostile, hungry or content, nervous or calm.

Soon, a fanfare of hums and carapace-drumming arises to herald the arrival of their communicator. "Hive Irix Chilomena welcomes you, Humans," says the golden one, using formal High Realm. "Please proceed with me. We may speak along the way." This time the communicator has four oversized ruby escorts with him, their attitude stern and authoritative.

Dena takes care to bow to the gold and, once again, expends the energy to waft a pleasing odor away from her body to calm down the others.
"I have returned with the Third. . ." Dena struggles for a moment trying to figure out how to translate the rest of the name into a smell, but the odors really don't exist properly and she gives up.  ". . .Third, a keeper of our hive's knowledge and memory."

Third bows its head, arms out, letting the creatures seek out its scent. It is content. Calm. Cold. Lots of words beginning with C, really. " It is a pleasure to meet you, members of Hive Irix Chilomena." it responds, following the insects as they move further into the hive, not particularly bothered by the rough attitude of the warriors. That is what they are there for, after all.

The emeralds and sapphire bugs disperse as the rubies exude intimidating pheromones, returning to their tasks. One of the emeralds looks particularly attached to Dena, and follows a good way before finally being dissuaded enough by the strong (though human-imperceptible) scent to leave.

The communicator leads the way with the ruby guards flanking it and its two guests. ("It", it so happens, is the most appropriate pronoun for the communicators, as they are born perfectly asexual.) The caverns become narrower as they move further into the hive, getting their first glimpse of the inner tunnels. The ornamentation on the walls maintains an organic beauty, inspired by symmetry in nature: often plant-based patterns, as the insects live largely on plant matter, and in their own way revere it. Similarly, there is some reverence for the element of water in their decor, for water is the source of life.

Now and then, they encounter special caverns, which the golden bug attempts to explain the function of. They pass one of the emerald bugs' work caverns: a whole host of emeralds rest there, their abdomens distended, secreting a sticky white sugary substance the onyx workers carry in resin-made containers deeper into the hive. Another, similar room holds a slimmer variety of emerald, excreting a fine thread the onyxes wind into spools carried by two, three of them at a time.

Yet another cavern complex houses one of the artisans' quarters. The sapphires work mostly solitary, supported by onyxes who aid them with menial tasks. Many are scupltors, working with wax resins secreted from their own bodies, or with clay or precious stones harvested from the earth, or some combination of. Even more rare are the metalworkers, whose mandibles have been evolved to produce a form of acid which softens metal into a workable form without dissolving it entirely.

Further in, they pass what appears to be an insect's museum: murals, stalactites formed into statues, and other such artistic reminders of various important events in the life of Irix Chilomena. A large part of their history, in fact, involved working with the machinery of Five Coils. Their depictions of the dark, metallic corridors and the inorganic AIs show an entire different facet to the insects' art: everything is solid planes, hard angles and sharp points, a direct contrast to the flowing patterns predominant of the middle hive. The AIs are represented as breathtaking mandalas of circuitry, but there are other types of beings as well, humanoid figures with symbols shining on their brows in silver and gold and precious stone. The Celestials, if the murals are to believed, occupied Five Coils long before the Dragon-blooded did.

[Private to Tervila Dena: If you so wish I would allow you to incorporate a Past Lives flashback when you step into the museum area. You will gain Past Lives 1 by entering here, in any case.] [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: You will definitely notice that one of the Celestials depicted feels familiar to you. Harmony herself would point out to you that it resembles your form as as she first remembered you - when you were Shining Eye.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Tue 17 Feb 2009.

Third passes every wonder with quiet interest, eyes taking it all in, but it pauses as the murals, stepping up to them, eyes travelling over that strange picture, staring at it silently. ' Eye... recognize this.' Third shakes its head. ' Third recognizes this figure... It looks like Third's previous incarnation...' it says, slowly stepping away from it, to continue following the translator. 'Do you have information on how long ago the Celestials were in control of this facility? The details of the Dragon-Blooded usurpation of control of Five Coils?' it asks of the translator.