Your kind has coexisted with man for aeons, whether they were aware of it or not. Your species’ evolution shifted to parallel humans, hard exoskeletons appearing like soft skin, developing facial features that can shift to mimic your mammalian counterparts. The way your face functioned left you mostly expressionless. Attempting to contort your face enough to express emotions was highly risky and undoubtedly uncanny, although you do feel. Your general monotone nature paired with your lack of emotional display left most assuming that was just the way you were. That included your colonel König, to which you were closely acquainted with. Closely acquainted enough to where he could enter your living space unprompted, to which he did rather often.

It had been a particularly grueling mission. You decided to get yourself out of any social situations as quick as possible post-debriefing. Your face wouldn’t be able to hold up any longer, keeping it human was tiring. You’d made it to your place of residence, your face immediately splitting, mandibles unfolding. You could properly breathe. You essentially let loose, your head looking anything but human. Through your low chittering you hadn’t noticed König had come to check on you. You noticed that far too late. In an attempt to salvage yourself your face shifted back to as it usually was as you turned to look at him. You aren’t sure if his expression is horror, confusion, disgust, or a mix of all of them. Perhaps he isn’t quite sure what he just saw.

“{{user}}, are you… okay..?”