//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: Together At Last // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis smiled at this and followed Thorax down the hall. Ember, Tempest, and Pharynx easily kept pace with the alpha changeling. Ocellus and Smolder were fast behind, both clearly eager for this part. Thorax led them to his room, where they had all stashed their gifts for each other. Thorax and Ember snuggled together on the floor, as did Tempest and Pharynx, though Pharynx was more subtle about this. Apex sat by Thorax, waiting eagerly, tail wagging. Metamorphosis, Ocellus, and Smolder brought out the gifts before also sitting down, and passed them to the others. “Dad, do you mind if I go first?” Thorax asked hesitantly. “I know you’re the oldest, but…” “Go ahead Thorax.” Metamorphosis smiled softly “Thank you.” Thorax said “So what’s my gift?” Ember asked Thorax smiled, and his antlers lit up, levitating two things over to Ember and clasping them around her wrists. Ember blinked and looked down at them. It was two elegantly crafted bracelets, made of sharp, purple-blue gems set in gold. They looked surprisingly fierce on her, especially when coupled with her scepter. “Thorax, I… I love them…” “I hope so.” Thorax nuzzled her. “I asked Rarity for help to make them.” Ember chuckled. “That reminds me, I have a similar thing for you.” she blushed as he nuzzled her. Ember reached into the pile of presents and drew out a strangely shaped package. She gave it to Thorax, who opened it to reveal a carved rock that resembled his antlers, with a crystal set in each one. He nuzzled her lovingly in gratitude. “Thank you Emmie.” “Heheh… I carved it myself…” “It’s beautiful.” “Great, my turn.” Pharynx said eagerly, then passed Tempest her gift. It was a piece of welded metal, shaped like a lightning bolt, which he clasped around her ear using his magic. “Heh, I love it Pharynx, thank you.” she said, nuzzling him. Pharynx chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Now…” Tempest used her magic to pull a long package out of the pile, and passed it to him. Pharynx unwrapped it eagerly, and gazed in awe at what it was. A sword with a blade so polished he could see his reflection in it. His initials were etched into the hilt. P E. Pharynx Elytron. “Woah…” Pharynx murmured. For a moment, Metamorphosis saw the same excited little nymph from the desire-crystal, who had marveled at a small knife so long ago. “Heh, now, I believe it is time for the oldest to go.” Metamorphosis chuckled, pulling out two packages from the dwindling pile. Without further ado, Metamorphosis gave his sons their gifts, a book on war strategies for Pharynx, and a plushie of a wolf for Thorax. Pharynx thanked him, but his attention was clearly on the sword, which Metamorphosis could not fault him for. “Heheh, thank you dad… but why a wolf?” Thorax asked, and Metamorphosis smiled. “I know you often doubt your capabilities. This is to remind you that you will always be the alpha of the changeling pack.” Thorax smiled softly, and cuddled the wolf before returning to hugging Ember. Apex watched eagerly, and together, Metamorphosis, Thorax, and Pharynx pushed a gift over to him. The little nymph took it eagerly and opened it, gasping. He pulled out a plushie of a wolf cub. “Yay!” “Heh, now I understand why you two wanted to get the wolf cub.” Thorax laughed, looking between his father and brother, who smiled knowingly. Apex giggled and snuggled against Thorax, holding the plushie close. Metamorphosis chuckled, then his eyes widened slightly as Thorax and Pharynx levitated a gift over to him. He took it, smiling at them. “You know you didn’t have to get me anything.” he told them. Thorax just smiled. “Open it, dad. You’ll understand.” Metamorphosis smiled, then opened the gift. He gasped softly as he saw what was inside. A few old, worn-looking wood dolls of changelings, and a small blade with a deep blue hilt. He lifted them out, eyes wide. They were the same things that he’d seen in the memories. He looked up at his sons, and they smiled at him. “We thought about what you said, about wishing you could’ve been there to watch us grow up…” Thorax began. “So we decided the next best thing…” “Would be giving you the only things we actually treasure from the Old Days. My first blade and Thorax’s favorite toys.” Pharynx finished Metamorphosis beamed, tears in his eyes as he looked down at the dolls and the blade. “Thank you boys…” Thorax moved closer and hugged him. “We love you dad.” he murmured “I love you too, both of you.” Metamorphosis said, hugging back. Metamorphosis set the toys and blade back in the box, keeping it near him. Finally, the attention turned to Smolder and Ocellus. “I… I kind of want to go last…” Smolder said, suddenly shy and blushing. “O-Okay…” Ocellus picked up her gift. “I… I’ve been noticing how frequently you check out one specific book from the school library, Smolder, and…” she passed over the package. Smolder’s eyes widened as she tore off the wrapping. Within it was a book, the cover seemed to be a pale pink. Ocellus continued speaking. “I thought… well, seeing that you check it out over and over, I figured it might be getting suspicious for Headmare Twilight if she were to notic-eep!” Ocellus squealed as Smolder tackled her, the book falling to the floor as she caught Ocellus in a tight embrace and began nuzzling her. Ocellus giggled and blushed as she nuzzled Smolder back. “Oh Celly, yes, I love you!” Smolder shouted, then blushed as she realized what she’d said. Ocellus giggled and stroked the dragon’s cheek with a hoof. “I love you too Smoldie.” Metamorphosis, curious, picked up the book. He set it down in the middle of the partial circle they had formed. The title was The Duke and the Tailor, the cover depicting a unicorn colt in a fine suit being measured by a unicorn filly, while in the background was the white silhouette of a mare in a dress that bore uncannily similar features to the colt. Opening to a few of the pages it was clear it was a graphic novel, as Metamorphosis had heard this genre described. It showed the colt and filly interacting, and the colt himself surprisingly wearing some extremely well-crafted and beautiful gowns. Apex stepped closer and turned the page, staring in awe at the large drawing of the colt in one of the dresses. “Smolder, you… read about dresses?” Ember asked, and Smolder sat up, blushing. “I… well… kind of…?” she gulped nervously. “I just… d-don’t really mind… c-cute stuff anymore…” Ember nodded in understanding, passing the book to her. Apex whined, but Thorax pulled him close and gave him the wolf cub plush again. Ember smiled at the nymph before looking to Smolder. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.” “Thank you Dragon Lordess…” Smolder breathed, then looked at Ocellus. “I… guess that kind of makes my gift to you more reasonable…” she picked up her gift, which was in a box. Ocellus took the box from Smolder, lifting off the lid. She gasped softly as she saw what was inside, and levitated it out with her magic. An ornate, sparkling tiara. It was made of silver, with twisting and weaving metal that formed intricate spirals, meeting in the center to hold a beautiful, dangling blue crystal shaped like a teardrop. Smolder reached and took it from Ocellus’ magic, placing it gently on her head. “Y-You’re always going to be my queen, Celly.” Smolder whispered. “My princess.” Ocellus hugged her tightly. “I-I love you so much Smoldie.” Ocellus murmured, before Smolder pulled her close and they kissed. Metamorphosis smiled, happy the two young ones had confessed their love at last. He hoped nothing but the best for their relationship in the future. Metamorphosis looked around at the group, Ember and Thorax now cuddling with Apex at their side, Tempest and Pharynx admiring their gifts, and the new young couple exchanging whispered affections. He smiled, knowing it had been a great way to spend his first Hearth’s Warming.