Chrysalis

"Thank you for everything, mayor." A woman tearfully held Enid's hand in a too-tight grip, looking down at the aged mayor.

"You're more than welcome, dear," Enid smiled, patting her on the shoulder and diplomatically freeing her hand. "What we achieved, we achieved together. No one person can take the credit."

A few more words were exchanged and then she moved on, only to be stopped down the road by someone else who wanted to thank her for her service. It had been like this ever since her retirement had been officially announced by the council three days ago. Every time she stepped out her door, she was accosted by the people of Renewal who wanted to let her know how much she meant to them.

[This must be confusing for you,] she said to Diplomant, who accompanied her, [this outpouring of gratitude to someone who no longer wants to work.]

The ant skittered along at her side, antennae waving slowly.

[There are several concepts at play that are not wholly understood by us. As creatures of the Dungeon, formed of mana, we do not age, so the idea of 'retirement' is not one that we think about. I can see how one might want to indulge in a 'well-earned rest', as their capacity to work diminishes. The gratitude of the people is also heartwarming to see. They deeply appreciate the work you have done, and so thank you for it.]

[You've grasped it quite well,] Enid mused. [We humans eventually slow down and run out of steam, unlike you monsters. Usually, once we can't do as good a job as we could do before, we stop working, and our families take care of us until we die.]

[There are several points I don't understand in what you said. Firstly, I do not believe that your work has suffered at all. The town is thriving, the people are happy and the decisions you have made benefited all. The Colony has learned much by closely observing your performance as an administrator.]

[That's awfully kind of you to say. If I were to be specific, then I would say that I don't believe my performance has declined yet, but that it soon will, so I wish to remove myself before that happens.]

[Very well then. Secondly, you say that old humans depend on their families to care for them? I was unaware that you had family in the area.]

[I don't,] Enid sighed, [not for a long time.]

[Then the Colony will care for you,] the ant said firmly. [You have contributed much and we would celebrate that.]

The old woman felt genuinely touched.

[I thank you,] she said with a smile. [That is most kind. I will trouble your hospitality then.]

"Mayor Ruther! Mayor Ruther!" A breathless young man ran up to her.

She scowled.

"Matthew Porl, I'm not the mayor anymore, just call me Enid."

"You remember my name?" he blinked.

"I'm old, not senile," she groused. "What do you want? You ran over here like a crazy person."

"I wanted to know who to vote for," he said, "I mean, who you think I should vote for. I'm having trouble deciding."

Enid gaped at him.

"Don't ask me! You're supposed to work it out for yourself. There's no right or wrong answer, you pick the person you think will do the best job."

Mayoral elections weren't anything new to people born of the frontier. The country might reside in the hands of the monarchy, and the titles in the hands of the nobility, but at the local level, it was normal to have a commoner step in to do the actual work.

[Are you even aware of who the candidates are?] Diplomant asked her, after a pause to have the conversation translated.

[Not especially,] Enid replied. [I haven't been keeping track of it on purpose, it's not my business anymore.]

She turned back to young Matthew.

"Do you know who is running? Have you informed yourself at least that much?"

"Of course!" he exclaimed. "The nominations aren't closed yet, but most of the big names are already in the mix."

[Ask him to elaborate,] Diplomant said, [I should like to know more of this process from his point of view.]

[Fine,] Enid rolled her eyes.

"Well now, there's a lot to say already," Matthew scratched his cheek as he pondered where to start. "The Followers of The Great One and the Ant Path have a lot of sway in town, obviously, and there were rumblings that Priest Beyn would be put forward as a candidate, but a representative stated he was too busy and that nobody with a position in the Church could take up authority in the town."

Enid nodded. That was something they had agreed on early in the town's history. She had great respect for the work Beyn's people did, but there needed to be delineation between the roles. The Church would do what a Church should do, and the Town Council would do the rest.

"Head of the Farmer's Association, Bill Knightly, has put himself forward, running on an unsurprisingly pro-agriculture platform," Matthew went on. "He won't win, though, because he's demanding that the ants get more involved in harvesting crops."

[Why is that a bad thing?] Diplomant wondered. [We will help when asked.]

"The public doesn't like it when someone makes demands of the Colony," Matthew replied when Enid passed on the query. "Asking them for help is one thing, but making it public policy is quite another."

Enid had always included a line about "reaching out" to the Colony in her proposals, but never depended on them coming through. The people of Renewal loved the ants, but didn't want to be a burden to them.

"Mr Durn is making a strong run," Matthew went on. "He's already announced his own preferences for council seats and they are a diverse and competent group, even including a few others who have announced their candidacy. He has a lot of trust amongst the people, since he worked closely with the previous... with you, Enid, and has a strong financial position, given his business success."

Mr Rothen Durn had been a trader, from further north, before the wave. He'd had contacts and assets in still standing kingdoms and older empires, but had chosen to come here with the other survivors. He was competent and brooked no nonsense.

"There is a general upswell of momentum for another candidate, but it lacks a central figure to push forward," Matthew said.

Enid frowned.

"And how can that be?"

"There's a large group of people who would vote for a candidate put forward by the Colony, without question. Except nobody has been able to convince an ant to run."

He and Enid both looked at Diplomant.

[We aren't interested,] the ant waved an antenna when she understood the problem. [We are still feeling out exactly how involved we should be in territories that we work with, or those we absorb, but generally, we feel that direct control is not the best practice. Even if we gain it through electoral means.]

"That's a shame," Matthew sighed, "that movement was just starting to get organised. They even named their group."

"What did they call it?"

"The Colonisers."

Enid made a face. Then brushed it aside. She looked at Matthew Porl with new eyes.

"You are actually remarkably well informed on the matter, aren't you?"

The young man grinned and patted himself on the chest.

"I take this seriously, you know? It's important for Renewal, and the town is important to all of us. I'm so worried about making the wrong choice, it's keeping me up at night."

"Why don't you come with me, young man, we should have a conversation. Tell me, how much do you know about the printing business?"