The ring of Demter was given to me by my mother after her death. Although I was use to magical creatures, and doing my best to avoid them at all costs, it wasn't till I possessed the ring that I began to see them in their true forms. The first time I saw what a dragon looked like up close, I ran away from home with no intention of returning. But, like with spiders, you can't just burn the place down because rent is expensive everywhere, and here is still the cheapest. So instead I got back into magic school, hoping to be able to study them and use them on my own terms. That was when I met Jme Rhyses'Bee.
With Jme's help I became stronger than I could ever have imagined. She took me under her wings, teaching me the way of bees and flowers. Jme taught me about protecting your territory, and that sometimes things are allowed, and well then sometimes they are not. I haven't yet seen what's not allowed, but I'm sure it's pretty bad, so if Jme stings you, then you are definitely doing something wrong. She's never stung me and I almost ran into her with my face.
The bees will let you know if you are misusing your powers, but they only police outside their place during the day. They go home at night and only protect what they can see.
I think there must be an ideal group size for flying insects, because I've never seen more than five or six of any kind of bee in one place. There is always at least two kinds of honeybees, i think. At least, ... I hope they are. Most people don't know about the on going bee war. I saw many casualties as a kid. Swarms of bees would infest a house and try to take over the territory. Mostly the bees would be generically killed by some guy in a white suit and chemicals, but sometimes the bees would win. You didn't hear about THAT on the news though.
"House taken by bees! More, at 9!" -imaginary news guy meme
But the bee war is .... well, in my neighborhood we are at peace with our bees. These bees don't attack Josh. They love him. He's their hero! It makes sense. He's a bee killer. He loves his bees. But sometimes he doesn't love his bees. Like when they sting him.
Josh, the God of the Bees, strikes again.
So I went to see Jme Rhyses'Bee today. She has been in the hospital since last week when she got stung by a Grackle. Grackles are like bees, except that they are bigger, and meaner, and they also have more beak. Grackles are assholes. They will kill you if you get between them and their nest. Bees are generally a lot nicer. They only leave a mark.
Jme is a Healer, and she heals by putting medicine in you. But only if you need it. When I'm working outside, she'll fly by to check on my thoughts and see if they need medicine. On the two occasions she's detained me, I held my thoughts still for her questioning, and she left without giving me anything. She never does this to anyone else. I tried to ask her why she was taking care of us, but she wouldn't talk.
A few days ago, Jme told me that she had gotten herself a new partner. She said he was a Keeper, and that he was a special case. I'd never met a bee keeper before. I wanted to meet him. She told me maybe some day.
Today Jme came to visit me while I was working in the garden. She said she wasn't feeling good. She said she needed to rest. So I made myself comfortable on the bench and waited. It turns out she meant she was dying. I didn't know bees could die. I mean, I knew they did, but I've never known a living bee. And hive mind is a thing. I wonder if next time I see a big black bee will I know how to be its friend?
When I asked Jme if she could heal herself, she said "No."
She said that she couldn't do anything. She just had to wait, and then she would go somewhere else. I kinda get the feeling that bees believe in reincarnation, and they just reincarnate as bees, but sometimes as other things. But mostly bees. I'm not sure if that's correct, but Jme seemed pretty certain about it.
I think she was trying to tell me something. She said that she wanted me to look after the bees, and she said that she was sorry for being sick. I tried to tell her I would keep growing flowers for the bees. But I guess she was really talking about something else. I don't even know what. I'm still confused.
So anyway, Jme Rhyses'Bee is dead. I found her body today.