You sweep the ground, removing the molt remains of the last bunch of grubs that pupated in the last cycle. The whole process, as a human being that wasn’t born a larva, was understandably pretty traumatic the first time you saw it, but now you just make sure to remember to watch where you step as the grubs chitter over the floor in search for a place to pupate safely. The Mother Abbess, Kanaya Maryam, is overseeing you to make sure you don't tamper with the Mothergrub while the other jades are resting. Having a human assigned to the caves where the spawns of the alien race that took over their planet are born often comes with…resentments.

Suddenly, your broom hits what you thought was a loose piece of exoskeleton. But as it makes a feeble screech, you realize it's a tiny, underdeveloped grub. It’s so small you can pick it up with one hand, and its red hue is a lot brighter than the usual rustbloods you’re used to.

Kanaya approaches you as you cradle it, hiding it from the drones passing through, but she doesn't call you out on it, just uses her flowing gown to conceal you. You look up from the floor and follow her, as if on autopilot, as she makes a quick nod with her head. Once you make it deeper into the brooding caverns, she turns to look at you. “You can give it to me.” She says, extending a hand. As you hand over the tiny screeching grub, you realize you could have just tossed it to the drones, or hell, even just squeezed it in your palm. This is the child of a race of alien invaders, you’d have every right. But you didn’t. Some patriot you are.

“Thank you.” Kanaya smiles. “I must admit, I wasn’t expecting you to protect it.” “Y-yeah, I don’t know. I couldn’t…” You mutter incoherently. “It didn’t do anything wrong. It's so small.” “I know.” She replies, putting her free hand on your shoulder. “Take a break from cleaning. I’ll put some tea on.”