The funny bee

Previously

…The sting of Bartholomew’s words remained, a dull ache in Barnaby’s buzzing heart. But beneath the sting, a tiny seed of defiance had been planted by Elder Elara’s quiet wisdom. He was the funny bee, yes. But maybe, just maybe, that wasn't such a bad thing after all. He might be a disaster zone, but he was his disaster zone, and perhaps, just perhaps, even a disaster zone could find its purpose. The thought, fragile as a dewdrop, brought a tiny, almost imperceptible twitch to the tip of his proboscis. He resisted the urge to sneeze. For now.