The Persephone Variant

Chapter 21 - Snake Eyes

For a moment, I hesitate...but disappointing my teachers just isn't in my nature. Professor Hatch grins on my approach.

"It's an honor to have you. Now," he turns to the rest of the class as I take the place he indicates at his side. "As I'm sure you all know by now, we Demeter Variants are limited to the growth and manipulation of existing species of plants and fungi. Once we come into contact with a species, its ours forever to recreate. Our queen, on the other hand, is far less limited."

I shift uncomfortably at that, trying not to meet anyone's eyes.

"She can not only bring about animal life in addition to our plants and fungi, but can create new species entirely. Including—I believ—plant-animal hybrids. Is that not correct, Ms. Hades?"

"Er, it is," I confirm.

"And so. My experiment."

He reaches into one of his pockets and produces a live snake.

"If you would, please. I'd like you to acquire the snake's DNA and that of any plant specimen here, and make for me a hybrid creature. Something that looks like a snake, and which moves like a snake, but which is in fact mostly vegetative."

I suck in a breath.

"A-alright."

Professor Hatch deposits the snake into the cup of my outstretched palms. A brilliant shade of turquoise, it's soft and smooth against my skin. It twines itself around my fingers as I concentrate, registering the faintest tingling sensation where its body comes into contact with mine. Maybe that's it?

Handing the little creature back to him, I look around at the bounty of options available on the flora side of things. My eye settles on a flowering vine that twists about the trunk of a nearby tree. Taking a deep breath, I put my hand to one of the berry clusters. Oh Gaia, I have no idea what I'm doing.

But I close my eyes anyway and concentrate. Envisioning the snake, I call up the memory of the look, smell, and feel of it in my hand. I imagine its essence blending with that of the vine. Imagine a snake that is a vine. The tingling sensation in my hand where it touches the berries intensifies, and their flesh parts and bursts, revealing seeds that are also eggs. Already, there's movement beneath their pliant shells.

Professor Hatch strides over to join me, cradling the seed-eggs in his hands as I pull away.

"Brilliant," he says as the first snout breaks through its shell, tiny green tongue darting outward to taste the air. "Absolutely brilliant. Now, who would like to try first?"

There's a brief silence. "Ah, try what exactly, sir?" Asks a Variant in the front with yellow eyes and wild, dark hair.

"To recreate it, of course," answers Professor Hatch, sounding almost affronted. The other students look around amongst themselves.

"If it is more plant than animal, it just might be possible. So. Who'll it be?"

The wild-haired Variant shrugs.

"I'll give it a shot."

Ambling forward, she reaches out to pet the baby snake-vine's head. Her lips curl into a smile. Closing her hands together, she takes a step back. When she pulls them apart again, it's to reveal a seed—roughly the size and shape of the eggs—but very much just a seed. Twisting her lips, she seems to concentrate. A small green sprout cracks through, curling upward toward the light.

But it's only that—a vine.

Shrugging again, the student shuffles back to the group with the seed and vine still in hand.