I have made some small changes. For one, I reduced the number of xeno to 15. 17 after Kirche and Tabitha. This was because of some of the feedback from reviews. It got me thinking, what fun is a story where you start with an army compared to one where you build an army.

For those asking, I use the original names for the Xenomorphs and their life stages because the point of them in my story is that they make it unique. Names are just place holders for concepts and I'm not in the mood to create new names, explain their creation, and expect you to follow along. I used 'latin' as a basis. Every culture has a lost language, I just used this one as most are familiar with it.

Another thing I would like to point out is that I am a terrible writer and sometimes it seems like my message isn't getting across correctly. Xenomorph enjoy proximity to each other. This is no more evident than in Aliens: Resurrection where Ripley falls through the grating into the undulating mass of bodies. That said, it was never my intent to have people think that there was anything sexual between Louise and Kirche and Tabitha. I was attempting to lead into a situation that is a lot more intimate than sex could ever be while still hinting at a connect between the them. I understand some people enjoyed the idea of them for various reasons, but it was not my intent, and for that I apologize if my continuation of the story goes in a direction you didn't want. I already have the end game planned out and I am constantly writing towards that direction. I hope as I write you will enjoy the story as much as I have enjoyed creating this idea.

I would like to thank each of you for your feedback, all of it, constructive and opinionated. Your words have given me drive and your observations have given me insight into my writing style and how I can refine it. So for your kind words and opportunity to grow, I honestly thank you.

Story Start

"Princess!"

Quickly, Louise beckoned the warriors to set down the monarch. They set her easily back onto her feet. Henrietta idly noticed that for all the sharpness their claws looked there was not a stitch out of place on her cloak. Taking a moment to straighten her clothes, the Princess also gathered her wits about her. It was one thing to hear about such a monstrous familiar being summoned, it was quite another to be snatched aloft by a pair of them as she entered a room. With a smile she looked up to Louise's face. The pinkette looked completely horrified by the situation.

"What are you doing here? Did someone see you? We have to get you…"

Louise was cut off as the Princess moved forward and almost tackled her into a hug.

"I am so glad you are safe, my Louise."
Henrietta felt Louise stiffen in her arms. Then Henrietta noticed movement amongst the bed and walls. Amongst the shadows, Henrietta could see movement. Like shiny ripples it moved amongst the shadows, along the walls and ceiling.

-Fear-

It bit deep into Henrietta's gut as she watched the shadows grow teeth. She watched immobile as the shadows reached at her, growing claws. She jumped and let out an 'eep' as Louise's arms wrapped around her.

"It's ok. You just startled them by grabbing me." Louise said into her ear.

Holding tightly to Louise, Henrietta peered into the darkness looking for hints of movement. "What are they?"

"They are my familiars." Louise said, pulling back and looking into her eyes. There was happiness there and a confidence that was rarely seen. "Let's sit and I can explain about them."

Turning, Henrietta watched as several creatures moved from the shadows to rearrange the table and chairs in the center of the room. The single candle doing little to push back the darkness in the room, the creatures seemed to flow from the shadows and disappear back with nary a sound. These were not as large as the two by the door and they didn't stand completely upright like them either.

"Are they two different breeds?" She asked Louise.

"In a way." Louise said as she guided her to a chair.

Sitting across from Louise, Henrietta watched as she gathered her thoughts.

"I am not supposed to reveal much, as you understand, but I would think that the Princess would be someone who should have her question answered. Don't you agree?" Louise started. "My familiars do not come from this world. That's the pure of it. When I summoned them I pulled them from the world they were on. Almost all of what I know of them comes from them themselves."

Henrietta quickly held up a hand motioning Louise to stop. "From them? Do they speak?"

Louise tilted her head just a fraction. "No, they have no spoken language. No, it's more like we are connected in mind." Louise said touching her temple with a finger. "The drones, the ones you see here, communicate through…ideas? concepts? They are fairly simple minded, able beyond expectation, but simple. Without the hivemind to bring their thoughts together they are not coherent."

Louise reached out to her side expectantly. Henrietta was confused for a moment until a clawed had materialized from the shadow holding a saucer with a teacup on it. Without looking Louise took the saucer and started sipping the drink. From the darkness Henrietta saw one of the creatures step forward and place a tea tray in front of her. Setting a saucer and cup in front of her the familiar then picked up the teapot and poured for her. Replacing the teapot, it stood with its claw hovering over the tea tray.

She was being served tea by a nightmare. It was more than a little surreal.

The creature continued to stare at her. She thought it was staring, thought she could not find its eyes.

"She wants to know if you want cream or sugar." Louise said, hiding a small smile behind her teacup.

"Oh." Henrietta said, dumbfounded. "Two sugars please."

The creature placed two lumps of sugar in her cup and backed into the shadows once more, melding back into the inky blackness that the candle cast.

"She?" Henrietta asked, silently thankful for the tea. Her mouth was dry for some reason.

Louise nodded. "Yes, all of my familiars are female. It is a facet of their species."

"If they are all female, how do they reproduce? Surely there must be some males?"

Louise bowed her head, her eyes becoming covered by her bangs. "No. Not this species. Their method of reproduction is at best abhorrent. You see, the Queen, the highest form of the hive, lays eggs. Now, these eggs are not like a chicken's egg. They are not fertilized by a male. Inside of the egg is a creature that is named after its method of attack, the Facehugger. It is like a fleshy, pale spider with no face that wraps its body around another creatures head and forces an embryo down their throat."

Henrietta felt a bit sick at this thought. She was never one to like spiders. Pausing in her thoughts, she mused that might be the reason she was so hesitant around these familiars. Their shiny carapace reminded her of a bug. 'Thoughts for another time', she thought.

"The embryo gestates inside the host." Louise continued, still not looking at her. "It takes on traits from the host, its strengths, and makes them its own. Once it has gestated, it reaches the next stage of its life cycle, the Chestburster." She paused to take a drink of tea.

Henrietta was feeling a bit green now. "And the host?"

"Dies." Louise said.

Henrietta sipped her tea. "I see. How many do you have at present?"

"15." Louise said looking up. Her eyes were looking a bit moist.

"What kind of host is needed?" Henrietta asked, leaning forward to look Louise in the eye.

"Anything." Louise said. "Small, medium, large creatures, animals…..humans."

Henrietta held her gaze for moment, watching her face intently, searching for any sign of falsehood. Leaning back, she nodded. "It is good that you summoned them then, rather than someone of less moral stability."

Louise looked at her with her mouth open a little. Henrietta thought it was really cute, had the conversation not been as serious.

"Don't get me wrong Louise. Your familiars are terrifying. Absolutely so. But, I think they are in good hands. The Vallire family has always produced prodigies and powerful mages but never has it ever produced a mage who was overcome by vice or temptation. If any person had to bring such a creature to our world I'm glad it was you." Henrietta said with a genuine smile.

Louise had begun to blush at the complements. "I was worried. They look so scary and they are almost brutal in every aspect. I was scared you would react differently."

Henrietta nodded. "They are scary. But they are in good hands."

Louise ran her find around the rim of her cup. "Why did you come?"

"For you." Henrietta replied.

"Huh?" Louise replied, confusion written on her face.

"Louise, you were missing for a week. No one knew where you were. I was here to judge the student's familiars at the Festival, but you never appeared." Henrietta put her teacup down.

"I was worried about you Louise."

"But, why?"

"Louise, we are friends, are we not? We have been for a long while." Henrietta said with hurt worn on her sleeve.

"When father died, I felt so alone. Mother withdrew, making it even worse. Did you know she is stepping down? Within the next year or so, I will be Queen. Already the court has started maneuvering and plotting. I feel so alone Louise. When I came to judge the Festival, I was excited to see you, to see my friend again. But you were missing and no one knew where you had gone."

Henrietta stared at her teacup.

"I've lost so much Louise, I couldn't stand to lose my last friend."

Louise watched her for a moment. Then she stood up and hugged her. "You will never lose me, Princess. I am here for you."

The two stayed like that for a moment, taking comfort in each other's presence.

Louise returned to her seat.

"What is this about your familiar attacking a fellow student?" Henrietta asked, taking Louise by surprise.

"That worthless excuse of a boy grabbed me suddenly. My guard at the time knocked him loose. But in doing so did some damage to the Gramont heir." Louise said, distaste in her tone.

"What will you do? I hear you have to apologize." Henrietta said. Looking down she noticed that her teacup was full again. Looking to the shadows, she didn't see or hear the creature move. When had it refilled her drink? Picking it up and sipping, it even had the sugar in it.

"Apparently the Gramont family and the Valliere family have discussed it and have settled on a formal, public apology to settle the matter." Louise replied, small touches of anger in her posture.

"You know, the reason I'm still here at the Academy is because I have to officiate the event." Henrietta said, sipping her tea and watching Louise.

The small pinkette sat stone still and stared at her.

"It was requested of me by General Gramont. As both the Gramont and the Valliere are nobles of some high standing in my court, I couldn't refuse."

Louise remained still.

"What will you do Louise?"

"That is the question…" Louise muttered, looking down at her hands clasp in her lap. "I know the reason for the settlement. It's to prevent bad blood between noble houses. I also know my mother. Nothing is more important than doing the best we can for Tristain. Apologizing to the General's son would prevent any weakness of his son's from being attributed to the military. Stability at home and stability abroad."

"But…" Henrietta pushed, curious to see where this was going.

"But… I just can't bring myself to care. This isn't about noble houses or foreign scrutiny. This is about Guiche and me. I refuse to apologize to anyone for thinking that I am less than what I am. I refuse to apologize to anyone for them putting their hands on me."

Looking up, Louise had unshed tears in her eyes. "I don't know yet. I know I have to apologize tomorrow at noon, but I do not know what I'm going to do yet."

"It is late Louise. I think I should go."

Hugs were traded once more. Henrietta excused herself. She had much to think on.

Scene Break

Louise watched as Princess Henrietta slipped out the door. Almost unconsciously, she connected with a Runner and had it ghost along with the Princess to watch over her. She was in doubt that anything would happen, but better to be safe than sorry. Behind her, she could sense Kirche and Tabitha enter back through the window. What a debacle it would have been if they had been discovered.

"You heard?" she asked them.

"Yes. Even if we had not been outside we would have still been able to find out by connecting with you." Kirche replied as she unwrapped the heavy cloak from around herself. Clad in only her undergarments, her tail waived fitfully behind her. Tabitha had tossed her cloak over a chair and was sitting on the bed staring at Louise.

"Your thoughts?" Louise asked them.

"Wants something." Tabitha said with her slow deliberateness. "Afraid to ask."

"Yes, the hive probably threw her off. But there is something else as well, a hesitance." Kirche said, one claw delicately placed against her chin.

Louise sat in the chair, sipping her tea, lost in thought. Kirche moved up behind her and placed her hand on her shoulder. As soon as they touched the mental link between them thrummed, amplified by their contact.

-Worry-

-Admiration-

-Love-

Louise idly stroked her hand as she felt through the bond to Kirche's emotions. Whenever she touched one of her hive the bond between them always became more pronounced. It was probably why her familiars enjoyed cuddling so much, if the bond between them was anything like her own. It was as if you grew inside and someone walked in. They were known to you, and you to them. There were no secrets or boundaries. Just two consciousness's sharing a small space.

"Come to bed Louise. You shouldn't push yourself. We will work it out tomorrow." Kirche said.

Louise stood and turned, joining Kirche and Tabitha on the bed. Abandoning her worries and thoughts to be embraced by the hive, her hive.