"And yeah, that pretty much covers it," Kiara finished. The court had relaxed during her story, the crowd at the back diminished.
"Time travel! Incredible!" Flik said, standing on the tips of his feet.
"Why does traveling through time make you change sizes though?" Dr. Flora asked.
"And how is it that in the future you can be aware of other eras and species through these so-called 'movies?'" Mr. Soil asked.
"I don't know, you'll have to take it up with Ratigan," Kiara said. "If he ever finds me." The last part was a whisper.
"One can only hope this Chipendale you described also shrunk to bug-size, if he came to our time like you suspect," Queen Atta said. "We wouldn't be able to deal with a full-size chipmunk terrorizing us."
"If everything she just said is true," Thorny pointed out.
"Well, she's a human the size of an ant, pretty much anything's possible at this point," Flik said, descending the dais. He took Kiara by the hand, looking at her earnestly with his big blue eyes. "I may not have all the resources as your rat friend, but I promise to do my best to find a way to send you back home as well!"
"Uh, thanks!" Kiara's face heated, and she ducked her head under the dim lighting.
Queen Atta chuckled as she pushed herself from her throne, holding her thorax. "Tired of inventing new toys for our upcoming baby?"
Flik turned back to her. "Oh no! I mean, if you think they could use another—"
"That was a joke." She held up her hand. "The nursery is overpacked as it is."
Flik scratched his cheek with a bashful smile.
"As for you, you may stay with us for the time being, and we'll look after you. The colony can always use another pair of hands in the tunnels."
"Wait, you're putting me to work?" Kiara asked.
"Of course! It'll be safer for you if you stay hidden underground, until both the Chipendale and grasshopper situations are resolved. Besides, you wouldn't want to sit around all day doing nothing, would you?"
"No, I guess not," she mumbled.
"Then it's decided." She addressed the court, "The tiny human shall live among us and contribute to the colony until she is able to return home!"
The crowd of attending ants applauded, although many were still exchanging uncertain looks.
Thorny walked up to Kiara. "Guess that means you'll be working under me. Come on, we'll get you started with the other trainees." Waving at her impatiently, he marched past to exit the court room, some of the ants parting for him. Kiara followed, and looked back over her shoulder at Flik where he talked with Queen Atta. He gave a little wave, and her face heated again.